LOS ANGELES — On Nov. 1, Kate Manriquez, whose first child is due in May, did what many women do a couple months into their pregnancies: She gave a blood sample at her doctor's office for a genetic test meant to help detect birth defects. More than a month later, 26-year-old Manriquez is still anxiously awaiting her results from California's state-run prenatal screening program.
"It has been extremely frustrating and caused a lot of stress," said Manriquez, who lives in Anaheim.
Manriquez's experience isn't unique. In online pregnancy discussion groups, dozens of California women have detailed their long waits for results and the anxiety it has caused as they wonder whether their children could have one of the rare disorders.
