Should you have tests even if you're not sure if you'd terminate?

[Willow]

Dear Bernie and Karen

Thank you so much for sharing your own very moving experiences – I’m so sad for you Bernie to have lost your beautiful little boy and relieved that Scarlett is now fit and healthy. In hind sight I think this is what my GP was trying to explain to me – that the nuchal test and even the amnio to a certain degree, won’t pick up every abnormality, mainly Downs, and a good result doesn’t guarantee a healthy baby.

I think like you Bernie I would find it hard to consider termination if I were told there was a problem – but I would rather know and be prepared.

I’m terrified of all of the tests looming – the nucal is this coming Thursday. I think I’ve already decided to go for the amnio or CVS too (not sure which I will be offered). Also, at the moment this pregnancy doesn’t seem real (apart from feeling thoroughly sick all the time), but I know that once I see this little person on the scan it will change how I feel about everything. I think that will be a big moment for my DP too – and I’m so glad we will be making these decisions together.

I will just have to take each day as it comes – but it really helps being able to share my concerns with you all as having been here yourselves, you know exactly what I’m going through.

Thank you x