I have mixed feelings about some of the tests that are offered. Some of the tests available screen for possibilities, not actual diseases. So one could potentially test positive on the Down's Syndrome screening but not actually have a baby with Down's Syndrome. I've known quite a few women to agonize over the results of these tests, only to find out at birth that they have a healthy baby. The physicians also offer an amniocentesis. While the risks and discomfort of this test are low, there are still risks and discomfort. It strikes me as a very invasive procedure (they insert a needle into the amniotic sac and extract some of the amniotic fluid to test. I'm thinking I'll go ahead with the lab tests like the Down's screening and pass on the amnio. In our case, the diagnosis of a genetic disorder would not affect our decision to keep the baby, so why put myself at an increased risk.
On a more positive side, I'm am finally feeling little bumps and flutters that tell my there really is a little baby in there. There's nothing like feeling the baby moving. It makes it all seem so much more real and I'm starting to feel the excitement that I always think I should feel when I'm going to have a baby. Yay for that.