Amnio - OMG HELP!

[DawnMN26]

Hello
I just went to my first gyno appt. yesterday.
He asked if i would like to get an amnio & of course i said yes.
I need to know that my twins are ok & no downs.

OK , just the thought of it makes me want to puke!! I feel like i'm going to have an anxiety attack just thinking about it.

So just wondering if any of you had an amnio done & if so, how bad did it hurt? Is the needle really long??

HELP!! I scared!! I'm petrified of needles & not only do i have to get this done once, but twice!!! OMG!!!

 

[HippyMumma23]

Is this test the one for Downs Syndrome? If so, can I ask (because Im a nosey monkey) why you have chosen to have it at all? Are you at risk?

 

[dannyboygirl]

when they checked me for down they did measurements(could it be for other things?)

 

[karik3]

I dont know anything about this but I have seen it done on you tube it didnt look painful.

 

[DawnMN26]

Yes this is a test for downs, its 99 percent accurate.
I have always said i would get an amnio done to check for downs.
Plus the doctor said since i'm 37, I have a higher risk.
I;m sure all is fine, i am one where an amnio is a must.

 

[Armywife]

No idea honey, but didn't want to read and run. I chose not to have it last time and won't this time. Perhaps asking in 2nd or 3rd tri? More chance of someone there knowing i would think. Good luck xx

 

[HippyMumma23]

Ah because you at a certain age range, I see. I thought there might be a reason.

I would never get it done, I wouldnt risk it. If my child had D.S I would have the child regardless.

Good luck with it all, maybe you tube it like someone said so you can get an idea of the procedure.

 

[debgreasby]

I had a CVS done in my last pregnancy to confirm a chromosome disorder that was indicated at my 12 week scan. I would NEVER have it done otherwise. I have to say... it hurt like hell, caused terribly painful contractions too.

Surely you would be better having a Nuchal scan before definitely deciding to have a test done which poses a risk of miscarriage?

 

[KandyKinz]

Quite honestly the women I have spoke to have have underwent amnio said it did hurt.... But it's the same with any needle that's inserted into your body. Also, it's very common to have cramping for awhile afterwards.

So anyways... are you at risk of Down's???
Have you considered what you would do if both of your twins have Downs (or some other condition... amnio does test for many many many conditions) or if just one has Down's.

Have you considered the risks of amniocentesis??? The miscarriage rate is generally quoted as 1/200.... But there has been a few studies showing it to be lower like 1/1600.. They speculate that the huge difference in numbers is due to variation in providers skill levels..... Also it is also thought that amnio increases the chance of amniotic band syndrome... where bands of the amniotic membrane tear away and wrap and can potentially wrap around parts of the baby (limbs, etc) which can cause partial or complete amputation.....

Overall, if you do amnio... you really have to be confident that that's the right choice for you and free yourself of the worries.

 

[DawnMN26]

I think this test is a test for not only downs but a few other things.
I am not at risk for it, but due to my age, i would want to know.
Having the baby regardless is a personal decision.

This is a test i definitely want to get done, no matter what age.
I have read that there is a small risk for miscarriage.

 

[babysimpson]

Dawn, I don't know about these things but all I can say is that each and every one of us have our own reasons for and against getting certain tests. So long as you know about all the risks and still feel you want it done, then get it done.

Others may disagree e.g. I wouldn't get it done due to the risk of miscarriage as I've had 3 already and I would have the baby regardless (I have a cousin with Downs too). BUT that is my choice. If you have concersn regarding the pain side of things, ask in the 2nd or 3rd trimester sections as someone else may have had it done already or speak to your GP and get advice from them.

Either way I hope you get the results you want.

 

[leeanne]

I was scheduled for an amnio with my pregnancy with Chase. A few weeks before it, I cancelled as I just didn't want to have it done. He turned out perfect.

I had Chase when I was 39 so, yes, they wanted to do the amnio on me because of my age.

The more I read about it, the more I thought it was so invasive and the procedure scared me.

 

[KandyKinz]

I think this test is a test for not only downs but a few other things.
I am not at risk for it, but due to my age, i would want to know.
Having the baby regardless is a personal decision.

This is a test i definitely want to get done, no matter what age.
I have read that there is a small risk for miscarriage.

I didn't mean for it to come like attack with the what would you do question, cause it is a personal decision... but it's definitly a decision that has to be thought about and answered by anyone thinking of doing genetic screening or testing. Especially since if you were planning on continueing the pregnancy regardless the risks or amnio may not actually be worth it.... But I wasn't gonna judge your decision.

 

[emsie]

Your brave, I wouldnt have it done. Have you seen the size of the needle??!

 

[alynn6758]

My best friend had an amnio done with her first baby, she had a really bad experience, and regrets it to this day. That is the biggest reason I am not going to have one, however, if you want to have the test done, that is your choice, and I wouldn't question or judge you about it. You do what you think is best. That's what moms do.

 

[BabySeal]

This is my first pregnancy and haven't yet decided what I will do, so I am not much help. Good Luck and good vibes for whatever you decide to do.

 

[mummy3]

I have had 2 CVS's. My down's risk both times came back super high (1 in 4).

For me, it didn't hurt, all in all was over really quickly and I had no complications

Make sure to take it super easy for a few days after though

 

[Peril]

In my last pregnancy my blood work showed a raised risk of Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18) - these bloods can also indicate if there is a raised risk of Downs. The scan also indicated a problem, as the fetus was measuring 2 weeks short.

I had an amnio done to confirm that the bloods were correct. I will not lie, it hurt like you wouldn't believe, made me cry. I had cramping afterwards. They were then able to tell me that the baby was a Triplody (trisomy of all the pairs of chromosomes). I personally would not have it done again unless there is any indication of a problem from the other tests that they can do first.

As you say its a personal choice, and we each have our reasons for making the decisions. If you think its the best thing for you, and will set your mind at ease, then you are the only one who can take that decision.

Best of luck and good wishes xxx

 

[DawnMN26]

Thanks everyone!
Stressing over this !! ughhhhhh

 

[PeanutBean]

It's not really a small risk, it's 1%. Probably higher than the risk of the baby having downs. Without meaning to sound attacking I agree that you need to decide what you would do if the baby has downs. If you'd have a termination then it might be worth doing it but if you wouldn't anyway then why go through the risk? In the UK (I'm not sure where you are) we have blood tests done which give a risk factor of downs and other syndromes. If you are high risk they offer the amnio.

Here is a link with some excellent info:
https://www.rcog.org.uk/womens-health/clinical-guidance/amniocentesis-what-you-need-know