One midwife's office I used to go to called the AFP test, which is the "test" for Downes, the "Always False Positive" because they said it gives false positives so often. And I also know several people personally who didn't score so well on the test, and were told their babies might likely have Downes (some even counseled that they may want to terminate because of it), and then the baby was 100% normal, no Downes. On the flip side, I know at least one person who, after a normal AFP test, delivered a baby who has Downes. The test isn't reliable. I guess, as some others said, you just have to think about your own state of mind--an amnio carries risks--as to the accuracy of the amnio, I don't know much about that. But these things are all things you need to research and consider before making a decision. Good luck to you and congrats on the baby.
Updated
One midwife's office I used to go to called the AFP test, which is the "test" for Downes, the "Always False Positive" because they said it gives false positives so often. And I also know several people personally who didn't score so well on the test, and were told their babies might likely have Downes (some even counseled that they may want to terminate because of it), and then the baby was 100% normal, no Downes. On the flip side, I know at least one person who, after a normal AFP test, delivered a baby who has Downes. The test isn't reliable. I guess, as some others said, you just have to think about your own state of mind--an amnio carries risks--as to the accuracy of the amnio, I don't know much about that. But these things are all things you need to research and consider before making a decision. Good luck to you and congrats on the baby.
Updated
One midwife's office I used to go to called the AFP test, which is the "test" for Downes, the "Always False Positive" because they said it gives false positives so often. And I also know several people personally who didn't score so well on the test, and were told their babies might likely have Downes (some even counseled that they may want to terminate because of it), and then the baby was 100% normal, no Downes. On the flip side, I know at least one person who, after a normal AFP test, delivered a baby who has Downes. The test isn't reliable. I guess, as some others said, you just have to think about your own state of mind--an amnio carries risks--as to the accuracy of the amnio, I don't know much about that. But these things are all things you need to research and consider before making a decision. Good luck to you and congrats on the baby.