I'm taking the test just incase god blessed me with a special needs baby i will love him or her regardless but it will also let me learn about down syndrome get guidance and the dos and donts i think its just helpful in the long run.

I am I personally would rather know just to prepare and deal with my emotions before the baby comes, not that my feelings would change for my child in any way! I would just like to know!

I had it done with my last baby and I will with this one as well :)

I am in my 30s and know the risk is slightly higher. My oldest son has special needs and his diagnosis was sprung on me... It would've been nice to have some time to research and prepare first. That's mainly why I'm having the test done.

I just did it...I got to see my baby (otherwise would have had to wait until I was 18 weeks) and I got to find out the gender. I don't think it hurts anything to get it so I just think "why not" :)

Ok, so here's the deal...the reason for the testing isn't so much for you to make a decision regarding termination of the pregnancy. The reason providers suggest it is because a Down Syndrome baby can have a lot of problems, like heart defects, etc., so it is helpful to be clued-in to the possibilities of other defects, mostly to be prepared and guide prenatal treatment. Maybe that will help you. You don't have to feel bad about getting the test because doctors don't do it for you to decide if you want an abortion, it's to guide/plan for outcomes. Yay. Deep breaths!! :)

I have always had the testing. I don't think an unfavorable result would change much for me though. But I would like to know the risks. It would help me prepare emotionally & help keep my mind at ease and cause me less worry. I worry too much already.

I got it done with my first two sons and just recently got it done with this baby (my 3rd) I agree the outcome of the test will not change the way I feel about my little one... If something were wrong tho id like to know just to have time to educate myself and prepare my other children but all went well :) good luck whatever u decide

I really appreciate all of your opinions, thank you for being honest! Anyone else?

I will be testing as I want to be prepared and have all the knowledge and help I need should that be the case.. Ill love my baby no matter what..

I declined with my son and declined again this time. It wouldn't change my mind about the pregnancy and if you want to be prepared....you can always start preparing now.

I'm of a more mature age but I still refused. Then again, I also refused the diabetes test. My only "risk factor" is my age. My son was born perfectly healthy. I eat really well and I exercise.

I hope you are able to decide which one is best for you :)

I have always opted to do any testing that involved getting an ultrasound, not that any issues with the baby would change anything, but because I want any opportunity to see my baby:) I had it done with both of my kids, and am having it done with this one (my 3rd) also:)

I just had the materniT21 test done, It's new and safe. It's a blood test and 99% accurate. The results come back in 10 days. I'm so happy I took it. My results came back good. You can also find out the gender

My husband doesn't really want to, he doesn't want me to worry. I've got anxiety a lot. But I feel if I don't I will worry for 26 more weeks!

I just wanted to add that if it turn out my baby does have downs...there are a lot if complications associated with it like heart issues. You can begin preparing for what kind of care you might need when u have the baby. It's a personal choice though and one that I feel everyone should respect.

I am. My niece has Downs. I want to know do I can be prepared. The earlier testing like Nt scans are more accurate than the later testing at 20 weeks. There is also a new blood test that you do at 10 weeks I think that is 99% accurate. I've had cousins who refused the testing but I want to, DS is not hereditary...it's a random thing that happens at conception.

I'm glad someone raised this subject as I'm pregnant with my fifth and have 3 living sons. I was only 21 when I had my first and had nuchal testing as my mother insisted on it and i was given the all clear but wasn't told til afterwards they had tested so I never worried. However with my 2nd and 3rd sons who are now 6 and 2 I refused as I remembered the months of torturous worry my stepmother went thru with my half brother only to be told all was perfect. The testing and results and follow up literally take months and if u wouldn't intervene anyway then why bother?

This time however, my consultant is absolutely insisting that I have the testing which I really am worried about as I'm a worrier by nature anyway and am already scared of losing this baby after losing my daughter at 17 weeks in November 2012. (Twisted cord was the cause of her demise :-(((

I don't really understand why the doctor is insisting as my daughters death wasn't genetic or chromosomal-she was perfect. So, I am going to be quite tough and flatly refuse to be tested as even if my baby has downs they'd find out anyway at the 20 week anomaly scan or at birth and I'd still adore him or her regardless.

So it's a no for me. Xx

I will be doing it.

I did it with my first but I'm not doing it this time.

I did it for my last two and I'm planning on doing it this time around...we don't have any that run in our family and I'm not worried about it but still like to do it just in case & so we can be prepared if there is something wrong

Anyone else?

I want to because it will let me know but with false positives idk

my midwife asked whether i wanted it. i know i would just stress and panic about it if something was wrong. she said if it doesnt make a difference to how the pregnancy will go then there is no point stressing about it. i am going to speak to oh but i doubt i will do it. gl x

we are skiping it we don't have fam hx although we will get more info from my dr in 2 weeks, but my fiancé doesn't want to since he said we would love the baby no matter what.

Im getting it done. I know alot of people dont want it because they dont want to know if its positive so to speak. Im getting it done anyway...its just another test and id rather have an idea. Apparently the risk is low for people under a certain age...and it rises with age. Not sure how true this is to be honest. X

I did for my first pregnancy. it was negative. when I got pregnant for the 2nd time I rejected testing. to me it wasn't important, and half the time they say positive and it makes mom worry, then they do another follow up and your in the clear. even if there was something wrong with my baby like downs I would not care. I'm rejecting testing this 3rd pregnancy.