Hi Charlotte
I am another one who would like to congratulate you for standing up for yourself.
I find it very difficult to believe the comment “I don’t have those numbers”. Most if not all medical test results are now available on computer. All they need to do is look you up on their PC. If for some strange reason you are not on the computer than all that is need is a phone call to whoever did the test. My suspicion would be that your fluid levels are not all that low but they still want to do the amnio.
So let’s say that you did have the amnio. If they found a problem what are they going to do? You said that you could not terminate. There is also a small risk of miscarriage.
Trust your gut and do what you believe to be the right thing for your family and baby.
Hi Charlotte, massive hun. You are a very strong woman and I too believe in your gut instinct. It just doesn't seem right that the doctors are not giving you any answers, not good enough. Being told to terminate your pregnancy without giving you the answers you need is totally wrong. I too with Emmanuel was told to terminate, I know how you are feeling but Emmanuel was diagnosed with Trisomy 13, we did have answers. I feel your heartache and will be praying for you, your family and your baby.
Big hugs, you are really strong in standing up for yourself. Go with your gut feel - if you feel baby is going to be okay then dont let them bully you into having an amnio if you dont want one. At least they should be giving you a bit more information - I thought they were suppose to disclose everything these days and give the worst case scenario. There is a 1 in 200 miscarriage rate with having an amnio, though I have read it is lower in very experienced hands.
Ask yourself the question though, if the results are not good and you would not terminate and would carry the baby to full term regardless, then there isnt really much point in having an amnio I dont think (unless you really want to know to prepare yourself). Good luck, I hope everything turns out fine.
Thanks everyone for your support, its really helped me.
If for some reason I decided to have an amnio (which I'm not going to, I don't feel right about it) and got told that the baby won't survive or has little chance of survival I would still carry bubs as long as my body allowed.
My nana overseas told me a story where a member of her church was carrying a baby and it was diagnosed with having its brain develop outside her skull. They were told to terminate but it went against everything they believe in. Their little girl only survived a few hours after being born but they said that they wouldn't have given up those few hours for anything.
My auntie has brittle bone disease. When she was pregnant with my cousin she was told to terminate because little katrina had broken her femur in the womb. She was told a few times to terminate. Katrina is now a normal 7 year old. Yes, she's broken a few bones, but she's completely normal.
I've researched Oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid) and nowhere have I read about having an amnio. One of the only things that can be done to correct this problem is giving mum lots of fluid. So, I've made sure that I'm drinking plenty (I'm usually hopeless at drinking!) and I'll see if that improves anything.
Even the results of an amnio can't give you a definitive answer of whether your baby will make it earthside, will live a short time or will live to be a 101 years old. An amnio can tell you how many chromosomes your baby has and if they are all in the usual pattern and order. From this, if your bub has variation from the usual, they can give you info on other bubs who have similar variations but every child is individual and will have their own path to follow.
An amnio has a stated risk of 1/100 of losing the pregnancy. A doctor who has experience in performing them often has a much lower incidence. The doctors at the RWH work with 'high risk' pregnancies and especially those in the Maternal Fetal Unit would probably have a lot of experience in performing them. (Just some info in case you want info to consider)
The Ob probably suggested the amnio because of the combination of the low fluid and your bubs tummy issues. Were you able to see a genetic counsellor at the hospital? They can help you work out the best options for you, and also help you find information that you are seeking (if the info is out there).
Good on you for going with your gut. Unless they can give you better answers than that, they shouldn't be pressuring you for an amnio, especially with low amniotic fluid. An amnio could cause this to leak further. Sometimes they try to inject fluid directly into the sac - did they suggest this to you? It doesn't always work.
There are a number of conditions that can cause low amniotic fluid. Our son died from one of them, but it wasn't picked up until birth. I wouldn't take back the time I had with him for anything, but I also wouldn't continue a pregnancy if it happened again. Some things are just too painful. We all have to make the decisions that suit us best. This doesn't mean your bub has anything as bad! btw - an amnio wouldn't have picked up his condition.
Increase your fluids, eat well, take care of yourself and trust your instinct.
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hun. You are a very strong woman and I too believe in your gut instinct. It just doesn't seem right that the doctors are not giving you any answers, not good enough. Being told to terminate your pregnancy without giving you the answers you need is totally wrong. I too with Emmanuel was told to terminate, I know how you are feeling but Emmanuel was diagnosed with Trisomy 13, we did have answers. I feel your heartache and will be praying for you, your family and your baby.
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