Should prenatal testing be routine for all pregant women?

Prenatal testing , I believe, is important to all pregnant women but not mandatory. Eighteen years ago, my husband and I lived in Los Angeles, California. When I became pregnant we decided to go to University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for all prenatal care and delivery. On my first visit, I was instructed that we would be involved in a medical program dealing with the Alpha-Fetal Protein Test. In 1988, California required all pregnant women to have HIV and Alpha-Fetal Proetin before delivery. My test came back very high so there was major concern that there was something wrong with our son. The level my test was for a thirty year old and I was twenty-three when I was tested. The blood test show that I had a 1 in 340 chance of a down-syndrome baby. UCLA gave me two options, do nothing or have an aminocentesis done to confirm the findings. We made the decision to do the aminocentesis knowing that there was a chance of miscarriage. It came back normal and we had a bouncing 10lb 4oz 24 inches long bouncing boy.

I tell you my story because every person has to make their own decision. Some of my friends thought I was crazy because I made the decision to get the amino done. The question they asked ,"what will you do if it comes back positive for down syndrome". I knew what we would do if it was positive and my husband and I were fine with our decision. Everyone has different beliefs and would respond differently to results in prenatal tests. Those individuals that want the tests done should have the choice to get it done. Some parents can deal with anything, however, there are other parents that cannot deal with a seriously ill child. Prenatal testing are options for those parents.

Some women choose not to have children !

I interviewed one of my dearest friends from grade school who made the choice years ago not to have children. Amy and I met in six grade, me with big glasses and she was born with her left arm developed only to the elbow. We were so good togetherbecause of the teasing we had gone through during gradeschool.

Amy's disability never stopped her. We were cheerleaders on sixth grade and there was nothing we would not do. The years past and we all get to high school and then off to college. Amy and Jeff have been married now almost 15 years. Children is something neither of them every wanted. Amy says, "we enjoy traveling and living life to the fullest". I have had many talks with Amy about children. She is wonderful with other friends children. Her big sister has never had children either. As we talked, our childhoods were filled with many joys and sorrows. I asked, did anything happen as a child to make you not want children? She simply stated to me, "I never had the longing to be a mother and have never regretted my choice."

Amy knows my son, Bryant, who is the light of my life. Amy and her husband love him a lot. They have taken on the roll of aunt and uncle to us and all of our friends kids. This is their calling in life. I am a woman that always wanted to be a mom. Now I have never wanted three of four children that many people want. All I wanted was a boy and I got that bundle of joy eighteen years ago. I just cannot imagine my life without my child.

HOMERUN

I just have to share. My son started his final varsity baseball season at Central High School in Keller last night. He hit a out of the park homerun.

Menarche

I am an only child and spent many hours with my grandmother . My childhood was filled with excitement all the time. I am very close to my grandmother and travel with her a lot throughout my teenage years. We always went to see my Great Grand-mother in Smith Grove, Kentucky. I must admit it had one traffic light in town . It is about thirty-five mile from Bowling Green, Kentucky. My first period arrived at age twelve in Smith Grove, Kentucky. I had my grandmother, great-grandmother, and great aunt to explain every detail of the situation. The one thing I must share is my shock when they gave me one of those huge sanitary napkins that you get in the hospital. Grandma could see that I was upset, since there was no close grocery store she drove to Bowling Green to get me thin maxi pads. I must say my experience was very easy.

My Preventive Practices. How am I doing?

My preventive practices changed eight years ago. I always ate good and exercised a lot, however, my plans changed once I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I realized eight years ago that life can be taken away so quickly. A diagnosis of cancer changes anyone and how you look at your life. I follow up with every doctor appointment that is required, including surgeon, radiologists, and oncologist. In our rate your preventive practices all answers were yes. As I answered all these questions I realized that i have done a good job so far on preventive care. In recent years, my father has been diagnosed with kidney and colon cancer that adds more care for me. To me, being happy in life is taking care of yourself.