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.