These stories are based on information gathered from doctors and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

Rachel, age 37: I know that I'm at a bit higher risk of having a baby with Down syndrome because of my age. My husband and I don't have any risk factors for having a child with other birth defects. If the screening tests weren't available, I would probably have an amniocentesis even though it has some risks. But since I can have the screening tests, I've decided to start with that and then make a decision about amniocentesis based on the results.

Yvonne, age 31: I'm not really worried about things like birth defects that might or might not happen. I don't have any risk factors for having a baby with a birth defect, and I know a lot of women who have had amniocentesis and other tests who spent a lot of time worrying, only to have healthy, normal babies. I feel like the best thing I can do is take good care of myself, stay alert for any signs that there is a problem, and enjoy my pregnancy.

Candace, age 26: My neighbor had her first baby at our rural community hospital. The baby had spina bifida, and they rushed her by ambulance to the nearest city and then by helicopter to a center that treats babies with this problem. My neighbor had to follow her later on and so was away from her baby at a really traumatic time. It was such a scary experience for her. I am definitely going to have the screening tests and find out my risk of having a baby that needs special care so we can plan ahead.

Elena, age 37: My husband and I want to have the most definitive information possible to make decisions about my pregnancy, so we are going to start with the chorionic villus sampling. I know it's a little more risky, but we feel like we need as much information as early as we can get it. It took us a little longer than we expected to become pregnant. If there is any chance that the fetus has a birth defect, we want to know that as soon as we can so we can make the best decision for us about whether to continue this pregnancy or end it and give ourselves a chance to try again.

Deena, age 32: Even though I wouldn't choose to end my pregnancy if I found out the baby had a birth defect, I still want to know ahead of time if possible. I would like to have the time to learn as much as I could about what to expect, where to have the baby, and what sort of special care it might need after it is born.