To test or not to test.

At a regular check-up this morning, my gynae asked us to think about whether we wanted to have an OSCAR screening done for the pregnancy. OSCAR is an acronym for “One Stop Clinic for Assessment of Risk for Foetal Abnormalities” and involves a Nuchal Translucency (NT) ultrasound measurement and an analysis of the mother’s blood for levels of free beta hCG, another form of the pregnancy hormone hCG, and PAPP-A (Pregnancy associated plasma Protein A).

Essentially, the test screens for foetal abnormalities; in particular Down’s Syndrome. It assesses the risk based on a combination of maternal age, the foetal NT measurement and the blood analysis. The test must be done in the first trimester of pregnancy.

I know you may be thinking “It’s just a test, and it’s good to know anyway.” but it’s important to know why you want to know. If the results of the screening were worrisome, would you go for further testing such as an amniocentesis, which does have risks? And if your baby was at high risk of being born with abnormalities, would you terminate the pregnancy?

My husband and I have discussed it, and we’ve agreed that we don’t need to do the test simply because the outcome will not affect our decision to have this child, therefore the monetary and emotional expense is unnecessary. If you can work out your stance on the issues I’ve mentioned, then you will be in a better position to make an informed decision on whether to have the OSCAR or indeed, any other prenatal test.