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Parents have to make this choice on their own.
As for me, I probably wouldn't bother since the possible end result wouldn't change anything in regards to how I handled the pregnancy.
NEWBORN screening, AFTER the baby is born, not during the pregnancy.
While pregnant with my children, my criteria for the tests was:
1) Would it help the baby if something was detected BEFORE their birth?
As to the "other" screenings (the ones where they want to allow you to use "selective abortion"), I told the doctor that NOTHING short of an ectopic pregnancy would make me change my mind about giving birth. If he felt he HAD to do the tests, he could, but I did NOT want the results myself... why give myself 4-5 months of worry?
A lot of posters seem to be confusing screening during pregnancy with screening after the baby is born. this thread is about screening your newborn baby at the hospital AFTER it is born.
And what about parents who are paying a co-pay or out of pocket? These tests can cost anywhere from $70 ot $200 not to mention the cost for uneccesary treatments listed above!
I'd wonder why a parent didn't plan enough to take care of their child's health.
Quote:
If some of these diseases are genetic wouldn't you see a person possibly in your own family with them? And if you were high risk for passing them down of course it would be benificial to screen.
Not necessarily. With many genetic conditions, the issue lies in a recessive trait that both parents need to carry. They won't necessarily know they carry it. My mom's side of the family is Ashkenazi Jews who have been screened for Tay-Sachs. Both of my grandparents are carriers as are all of their children. However, no one on either side of the family has been afflicted with the disease. Screenings have only been around since 1970 so I don't know if my great great aunts and uncles carried it, but none of the 20+ aunts and uncles or even more cousins has it despite coming from families where the recessive gene is found. My grandmother miscarried late in pregnancy which might have been attributed to Tay-Sachs but we really don't know- at that time it wasn't discussed much. I have been tested and am not a carrier but one of my cousins is.
I'd wonder why a parent didn't plan enough to take care of their child's health.
So what, I'm supposed to put away thousands of dollars for "possible" or "new" tests just incase they come out? Yea, sorry buddy but rich people are not the only ones "allowed" to have children!
There are many "recommended" tests and vaccines and treatments and precautions but I'm sorry, not everyone can afford all of them.
So what, I'm supposed to put away thousands of dollars for "possible" or "new" tests just incase they come out? Yea, sorry buddy but rich people are not the only ones "allowed" to have children!
There are many "recommended" tests and vaccines and treatments and precautions but I'm sorry, not everyone can afford all of them.
What a silly comment
You should put away thousands of dollars for the worry of something actually being wrong. If my parents hadn't been responsible about being parents, who knows what would have become of my family when I was in NICU for a week at birth(completely unexpectedly). Insurance certainly didn't pay for it all.
Rich people aren't the only ones who should be able to have children, but not being able to afford $70 for a test is downright scary and woefully unprepared.
So what, I'm supposed to put away thousands of dollars for "possible" or "new" tests just incase they come out? Yea, sorry buddy but rich people are not the only ones "allowed" to have children!
There are many "recommended" tests and vaccines and treatments and precautions but I'm sorry, not everyone can afford all of them.
What a silly comment
Being able to afford it shouldn't be a factor in the decision. There are just some things you do regardless of how you are going to pay for it. After a $10K birth, what's another $200 for newborn screening?
edit: besides, If they don't have insurance, can't pregnant women go on medicaid, which would be how the hospital gets paid for the birth anyway? Wouldn't medicaid pay all or part of the screening?
While pregnant with my children, my criteria for the tests was:
1) Would it help the baby if something was detected BEFORE their birth?
As to the "other" screenings (the ones where they want to allow you to use "selective abortion"), I told the doctor that NOTHING short of an ectopic pregnancy would make me change my mind about giving birth. If he felt he HAD to do the tests, he could, but I did NOT want the results myself... why give myself 4-5 months of worry?
The tests are done on NEWBORN BABIES, not pregnant women.
edit: besides, If they don't have insurance, can't pregnant women go on medicaid, which would be how the hospital gets paid for the birth anyway? Wouldn't medicaid pay all or part of the screening?
Yes, uninsured mothers are covered by Medicaid as are their newborn babies. The mother's coverage lasts through the postnatal period and all medically necessary care for her and her baby is covered.
Additionally, most states provide newborn screening at a limited cost for families who are "under insured" and have high out of pocket expenses.
Newborn screening should never be skipped due to cost. If you have a philosophic issue with screening in general due to false positives, false negatives... that is one thing and you should do more factual research, but to not screen your baby for life threatening or life altering conditions because you think you can't afford it is nonsense.
The tests are done on NEWBORN BABIES, not pregnant women.
Yeah, I get... I made a mistake. Didn't read it well.
Of course, although I only made the post once, 3 "readers" since have found it necessary to point it out.
Guess I'm not the only one reading thoroughly enough.
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