Downs Syndrome Test Causes Abortion in 1% of Cases

[AnnaLouise]

Whether you are prochoice or prolife, the Downs syndrome amniocentesis
test is an abortifacient in 1% of the cases and is risky for other reasons
as well.

[kestrel91316]

1. And your point IS?

[Hekate]

2. Women have amnio for a lot of reasons, and are aware of the risks. What is your point? nt

[CTyankee]

3. The point is that this test is used for women who MAY choose to abort a fetus with Downs Syndrome.

If they are religiously NOT inclined to do so, there is no reason to have the test: they will have the baby regardless.

So why did Sarah Palin, who is a religious fundamentalist, have this test? If she's prolife she'll have the baby. Why did she cause any risk at all to her fetus?

[Bob Dobbs]

4. Because she didn't have the test and it isn't her baby.

This stupid lie needs to be exposed.

Tell the truth, republic party.

[CTyankee]

6. Except that she knew in advance it had Downs so she must have

had the test.

[Bob Dobbs]

8. Except why would she have the test if there was never a question of aborting the fetus?

There was no reason for the test.

Why would any test be done?

[CTyankee]

9. Of course. There was no other reason to have the test and endanger the fetus.

I do not understand why she would have had the test in the first place if she had no intention at all to abort the fetus if something was wrong.

[Bob Dobbs]

12. So that then indicates the fraudulence of the whole scam.

What is really going on here?

[alstephenson]

5. Someone who seemed knowledgeable about the subject said...

on another thread that Downs Syndrome can now be determined by blood work through routine testing at a certain point in the pregnancy. I don't know either way, just passing info along.

[Crunchy Frog]

7. Actually, currently, a very high percentage of cases can be detected

with an early screening test that combines an ultrasound and a blood test at around 12 weeks, followed by a second, later blood test.

If these test reveal a high likelihood of DS, then they will likely be followed up by amniocentesis, though I would think you might as well avoid the amnio if you're planning on having the baby anyway.

[alstephenson]

10. Thanks for the info, Crunchy Frog.

[Crunchy Frog]

11. I'm having the ultrasound tomorrow, so I've been reading up about it.

:)

[dsc]

20. maybe they want to prep for having the baby

Knowing your baby had downs would make you prep for a mentally challenged baby you otherwise wouldn't.

[Hekate]

13. Women who do not intend to lose a pregnancy call it a miscarriage. To call it an abortion...

... is very hurtful. Is your choice of words intentional?

An amniocentesis is not "an abortifacient" -- it is a legitimate medical procedure with a whopping 1% chance of complications, according to you. Apparently the medical community finds that risk acceptable in certain cases. Downs is not the worst that can happen to a fetus -- Tay-Sachs is far worse.

If for personal reasons you either don't want to know in advance or believe 1% is too high a risk to take or wouldn't have an abortion no matter what, then by all means refuse to have amnio or any other such procedure. Good heavens, if you're a Tay-Sachs carrier or Huntington's carrier or the like, just go for it. But don't claim that this medical procedure is "an abortifacient."

Hekate

[knitter4democracy]

15. Thank you. I was thinking that as I read the OP.

That kind of language can hurt. No need for it.

[Book Lover]

14. self-delete

Read the thread first, BL!

[Pterodactyl]

16. Our family declined to have this test.

The risk of fetal death was too high as was the risk of nonfatal injury. We also figured that if our kids had the sort of problems that this test would detect, we'd still have them. Also, there are other less risky ways of detecting problems.

[Blue Meany]

21. That was our decision too...

In what other context would you be willing to do something with a 1% chance of killing your child? That was our reasoning. Either Sarah Palin didn't know about the risks, she was willing to take the risk in order to be prepared for the outcome of the pregnancy, or she was thinking of having an abortion, if the baby had problems.

[TZ]

17. What it doesn't give you HIV?

:sarcasm:
Umm yeah, another luddite like comment. Thank you James Dobson.
I assume you also know that just eating food can put a fetus at risk. Its amazing how people think anything can be 100% safe.

[knitter4democracy]

18. I chose not to have the test.

Didn't see the point either time. We were at low risk for genetic issues, and I was going to have the baby no matter what. If I magically got preggers (only sex partner was snipped years ago), I'd have to terminate. With my health problems, my doctor and my husband agree that it would put my life at too much risk, especially considering we have two young children who would need me around for awhile.

[smoogatz]

19. So, if abortion is outlawed--

then by your logic amniocentesis should be, too. Wonderful.