Amniocyntesis - do I or don't I??

[Carmen2]

Nicole, if your NT scan turned out to show that you are low risk, the chances are very minimal for anything to go wrong. Please go with what your heart tells you to do. Don't be convinced that you have to do something when you don't feel right. I had a similar situation when I was at 12 weeks. My doctor wanted me to do a chorinic Villus Sampling which contains risk of miscarriage. She wanted me to do the test because she gets a cut from it. My concern was.. why do I need the test since this is my first pregnancy, no previous miscarriage, no genetic disorders, and no complications in the previous pregnancies from my mom, grandma, etc. In the end, after sharing my story with the members of BB, I had the courage to say no to the test. So, please, hon, go with your gut feeling! Keep us posted! Take care.

[suz]

Its such a personal decision.
I am 38 and 29 weeks pregnant with Number 3
When I had my first 2 who are 13 and 7 first trimester screening was not available.
When it came to the time to have the screen this time I went through a few anxious days deciding but ultimately chose not to even have the early screen. As soon as I made that decision my stress levels disappeared. I had real concerns about having an amnio
When telling my OB of this she was extremely supportive.
The scan we had at 19 weeks suggests that all is fine but I figure that this little girl is a suprise and a blessing and we will love her no matter what.
For me I have not looked back or stressed about not having the test once in the whole pregnancy
Best wishes
Susan

Me (38) DH (42)
DD (13) DD (7 ) DD ( C/S 11/9/2007)

[Nicolee41]

Hi everyone,

The first thing I thought of this morning was that i must see if there are any other posts answering my dilemna. I am pleased to say that there was and they, just like the others last week, have been really helpful. I have been loath to say this before, but my dp and I are both of the opinion that if there was something wrong we would terminate the pregnancy. However, that still doesn't mean I want to have the amnio either as I believe that the next scan at 19 wks or so can still detect the same problems as the NT plus others (thank you RYN for pointing that out to me as I had wondered about that).

It truly is a hard decision and I have spent so many agonising hrs pondering the decision. I guess all I can do at this stage is to see the genetic counsellor again tomorrow with my dp, before the scheduled amnio and make my decision from there. I have a lot of q's to ask about just how far the next scan can detect problems as this may further deter me from the amnio and risk of mc?

Thanks again everyone, I can't describe how wonderful it has been to hear back from so many of you caring people out there. Big smiles to you all, Nicole

[BellyBelly]

There are quite a few real-life stories here if you are interested:

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/pregnancy/amniocentesis

[visitor2]

Please check with the genectic counsellor that you are seeing what markers they can pick up at the 19wks scan. As i said before they might pick up a hole in the heart for a DS baby and also one that is healthy in every other way. I would hate for you to think that having a hole in the heart means your baby has DS and you go ahead and terminate only to find out the baby would have been ok.

I was like you and wanted to wait till 19wks but just getting to 15wks with the not knowing changed my mind and i went ahead at 16wks and had the amnio. I also would have terminated the pregnancy if the baby had DS. If i had waited till 19wks they wouldn't have picked anything up when they checked the scan as they had trouble seeing the heart i had to go back a few weeks later. It's also harder to terminate when you have reached 19wks and they might still want you at that stage to have the amnio just so they know for sure if something is wrong with the baby.

I know it's a hard thing to get around but you really need to think about it and talk more. Yes everyone on here has been very helpful but not all the girls that have posted have been through a amnio or the choice to have one or not.

[MantaRay]

Nicole, I am glad you have found the response helpful. As Michelle has pointed out, we haven't all been in your situation and this is why I was hesitant to respond. However, another thing you might want to think about is how you will feel after the amnio if you have it. A great NT result has not stopped you worrying, will a good amnio result achieve that? Especially in the first week or so afterwards, will you feel relieved or terrified that you might mc? I think it's important to consider this, as what you really need now is peace of mind and to enjoy your pg and new baby when the time comes. I really hope that you find a way to achieve the peace of mind you deserve. I would hate for you to be so worried about what can go wrong that you do not enjoy your long awaited pg and baby.

[mrsr]

Hi Nicolee, I'm going for my NT scan on Thursday (I'm 38) and if all goes well, I'm not bothering with an amnio at all. I guess I'd be concerned too as you are if I'd had previous m/c's, but as I haven't, I'm not worrying too much about it.

Anyway, am thinking of you and hopefully there'll be nothing to worry about and your little bub will stick beautifully and there'll be no health issues! Take care...

mrsr

[Angel Babies 3]

Nicolee, firstly congratulations on your pregnancy.

I have had 2 amnios and am due to have another one in a week or so (expecting twins).

I think it really depends on what you would do if the results showed some form of abnormality. If you would still go ahead with the pregnancy, then maybe it would not be worth having the amnio. If you think that you would not let the pregnancy continue, then you should have it done.

But no matter what you decide, it must be a decision that you feel totally happy with. Do not let other people pressure you into doing something you don't really want to.

I have no qualms about having another amnio. I know that in expert hands, the risk of M/C is very low.

I also have a friend who had low results with the nuchal U/S and bloods, 18 week U/S looked good and yet her daughter was born with DS. She was 42 at the time.

I wish you all the best and hope you find the path that you feel most at ease with.

Hugs
Debbie

[Nicolee41]

Well its THE day today!! Still haven't made any concrete decision and I have to say that even though I can be a little indecisive at times, this is absolutely the hardest and most important decision that I have ever had to make and I just can't decide what's best. It seems to me that no decision is completely right as I could have problems both ways. I have never felt so sick or anxious about making a decision so much before in my life........

[visitor2]

Nicolee it is a very hard decision to make and it's not going to be easy for you both. What you have to think about can you cope with the next 25 or what ever weeks not knowing ?
Your results say that things are fine but you know in your heart they have put this in your head and you may always worry what if they where wrong. I still did even with the amnio results but not as much as i would of done if i didn't have the amnio.

When i was told my last pregnancy was 1:294 and high risk i walked out of the doctors office and said no i don't want any testing i don't want to know. I lasted 2wks and i was back her office and she was sorting things out. The stress and worry of not knowing is awful one that i couldn't have gotten through another 25wks of not knowing.

Will be thinking of you today.

[visitor2]

How did things go today ?

[Gigi]

my NT showed a 1 in 6 chance of having a DS baby (i was 38)

i had an emergency amniocentesis - hosp rung me up and told me, you have to have this procedure today at noon

As the specialist put in the special needle, he said, i'm not giving you the local anaesthetic cos i don't think you need it

i screamed in agony during procedure
my partner could not believe what went on
had to be wheeled to car in wheelchair
spent next five days with dreadful cramps

there is a 1 in 200 chance of miscarrying due to the risk of even HAVING a amniocentesis test

why have the test if your NT test result was so low?

if you DO have the Amniocentesis, i suggest you INSIST on the local anaetsethic, in case you get a smart arse specialist like i did, who decided FOR ME, without consulting me, that i didn't need a local ( according to him ) and i really paid for it, during and after the test.

oh, and the two weeks of waiting after the test? that was agonising. ANd the test was fine.

my baby came out with no abnormalities at all.

all that grief for nothing.

You have a low number from your NT test.
1 in 200 for just having the procedure is a HIGHER risk (for you)
think twice before risking your precious bub, especially when it hasn't been easy for you with previous pregnancies.

best of luck hon

even before they're born, you're constantly trying to make decisions for "the best for the baby", you're already a mummy, cos you love your unborn child so much.

[Nicolee41]

Hey guys,

sorry to keep you hanging but I have been resting since I decided to take the test!! After an hr with the gc explaining everything for the millionth time to me and for the first time to my dp I felt more in control of my decision. She asked me again if I had any "gut feeling" on the decision to which I didn't, which in itself was quite strange s I have always had these for major decisions before. Anyway, this was the biggest decision of my life so no wonder I din't know. Anyway, after much confabbing between the 3 of us I felt ready to say "lets do it". Even though my nt results were good I just felt it was the right thing for me to do. (Finally I could mak a decision!!)

We had only kept the ob and midwife waiting about 30 mins (they of course were fine). we went in to the room and the midwife asked if I had anymore q's - I had a couple nd they were answered. The ob then explained how the procedure would go and what to expect. I felt well informed and cared for. Off we went. Please note that I had already informed my dp that he must watch everything as I wouldn't! once we got past the us bit! The ob was very kind and had prewarmed the gel for the us and there was our beautiful little baby, 2 arms and 2 legs, 10 fingers and toes, head, face, tummy - everything. Most importantly there was the little heartbeat I so long to see everyday. My tummy was swabbed with a medical alcohol solution to clean it and then the very minimal burn of the local anaesthetic and I was still holding the emotions together, then I was told by the ob to expect a popping sensation as the next needle pierced my uterus to extract the fluid. I did feel the pop and it was nothing awful, just made my stomach muscles contract involuntarily and that's when I nearly started to cry. The ob said to just calm my breathing and my dp had his reassuring hand on my shoulder and face and and I pulled it all back in again (anything for the baby). Then the needle was removed and the ob said that all had gone well, the baby looked good, the fluid was clear and normal looking. So for a start this is good.

I will get the "fish" results tomorrow (thurs) sometime and then in another 2 wks the full results. I must say that I felt relived to have made a decision and feel hopeful of a good outcome. I have taken today and tomorrow off simply as a precautionary measure to rest (thus the reason why I have been in bed or on the couch all day). I have had no cramping, seapage, bleeding or anything which is great. Fingers crossed everyone and thank you so much for helping me get through this as it really helped to read all your opinions. Big hugs to you all

[visitor2]

I'm sure you will start to feel better about things and relax. Good luck with your results. Let us know how you go. Are you finding out the sex from your results ?

I did with mine.

[Nicolee41]

Hi Michelle,

yes I will get the sex results tomorrow as well. I did actually as k the ob if she was able to determine boy or girl and when she did the 2nd us after the amnio she managed to get a shot with the botty and legs up in the air. She thought that we are having a girl!! Woohoo!! This is not for sure though until tomorrow. But I am so excited and of course I am looking forward to receiving good results.

The next thing I will be needing is name help as all the ones I like are aleady taken by friends, family, animals of friends bla bla bla. The one girl name that my dp and I agree on and really like is Phoebe and my Mum can't stand it!! You never know she just might have to learn to like it?? We will see.

[visitor2]

She'll learn to like the name if that is what you use at the end of the day it's what you both like.

I can't wait to find out what you are having. We also asked when we had the amnio and he guessed girl and yep it was. I think if you go through with a amnio or CVS you gotta find out the sex at the same time.

[MantaRay]

Well done Nicole. I am so glad you have made a decision and you are happy with it. Now you can relax and enjoy the rest of your pg. Don't forget to let us know what the sex is tomorrow LOL!

[Carmen2]

Thats a very strong accusation are you sure its true ?
Really doesnt sound right to me
Are you public or Private patient ?
What was your NFT Scan result ? and your age ?

Caro,

I went private, and am located in Canada. It is certain that my doctor gets a cut from the lab that is doing all my tests because her office is built by the lab and each test she has her patients do by the lab, she gets a certain cut of it. Apparently, this doctor has had a bad reputation, but I didn't know until I started asking the nurses who worked with her in the hospital. Also, the result of my Nt scan was low risk, it was 1 in 5363. Ever since then, I changed OB and am satisfied with my current OB.

In Quebec, Canada, medicare covers all the pregnancy expenses (visits, ultrasounds scans, blood tests, and etc), but of course, it takes a bit longer for the results. In the first trimester, I have spent over $2500 canadian dollars which is A LOT of money. In my first trimester alone, my doctor ordered 3 ultrasounds (week 6, week 9, and week 12). From my understanding, all my friends only had one scan which was at week 12. Blood tests alone, I had 5 of them! I can go on and go... you can imagine, my whole first trimester, I was busy showing up at places to get tests done, visits... At last, I found a good doctor!