Amniocentesis???

Question

My doctor is offering me an amnio test becouse some blood work came back abnormal (down syndrom risk). I am only 29 yrs. so I am not of the typical age for women who have babies with DS. I do not know what to do, their is a risk of miscarrage with amnio (.5% or 1 in 200). They offer the test after they give a sonigram and you can watch the baby moving so it becomes even more real that you have a life in you. The gentic counsouler said the risk of the baby having DS and the risk of miscarrage were about the same. Does anyone have advice?? Have you had the test done or have a child with DS. or miscarried becouse of amniocentesis.

Answer 1

I think it may be best for you to have the sonogram they can tell a lot from one and that can help guide any other decisions you make. Good luck

Answer 2

get the sonogram, if they do not see any characteristic anomalies associated with down's then why risk having the amnio, besides if they do the amnio and whatever the results are down's or no down's is it going to change the fact that you are still having a baby? the blood test which was done is called an AFP triple screen, and it is based on age of the fetus at the time the blood was drawn usually around 15-16 weeks. the age of the fetus is determined by the last menst. period date you gave them if those dates are off by as little as 5-6 days the AFP test came come back positive. if it makes u feel any better i am an ob gyn nurse and we see this all the time and nine times out of ten the baby is fine the dates are wrong. bottom line do the sono and then if you are comfortable dont do the amnio.

Answer 3

Amnioscentesis is an invasive procedure in which a needle is inserted into the uterus to obtain a sample of amniotic fluid your baby is suspended in. The sonagram is so they can see the fetus and not hit it with the needl. As for making it more real, it seems to me you already see it as very real, and this is just their way of coaxing you into a procedure that is now covered by insurance. I detect your reluctance to disturb the nest, and that is Mother instinct, you are already having to make some tough choices. Trust your instinct and try to find other solutions before the amnio, first. Amnios are done regularly, pfobably daily in every hospital in the country. The risk of miscarriage is highest in the first 3-4 months, and sometimes it's just nature's way of saying"almost, but not quite enough to make it happen" in which case,(miscarriage), women often get pregnant again before having another period, having opened the way for the spirit to try again. If they have already checked a blood sample, and found cause to suspect, you could ask for further details or get it done by another doctor ( and lab) to make sure the results are accurate. Your age may have been why they tested your blood. The blood may be a more accurate indicator, but labs are often wrong in their results. Check your options, it's hard to make decisions when you have so much emotional investment at stake. Ask the father of this baby for his input. That's probably where you will get your strength.
Down's syndrome is a genetic condition which you should learn about on the internet as much as you can. If you have the tests done, and your baby has Down's syndrome, you will have to decide whether to keep or terminate this pregnancy. Look to your faith and again, the father of this baby before you decide one way or the other. Pregnancy is always a risk, but you have one of the most difficult decisions to make and limited time to do it. Either way you decide, you are one of the most valiant mom's I know of, to put it out to the universe like this. Hope this helps, and more power to you !

Answer 4

My only advice would be to look at your personal values and morals...do you believe in abortion? How far along are you? Are you able to abort a child if it had a disease? What kind of parent do you think you will be; can you deal with a child either way with a condition or without? What is more important to you; having the baby no matter what or finding out if it has a condition? If the baby has DS or something else; are you able to care for it; take it to the doctor and spend time treating the child?

My personal beliefs; I am so against abortion; I wouldnt even get the blood work done when I was pregnant (we have two)....I got pregnant; I made a commitment to the baby and myself; I will love him unconditionally and care for it no matter what he looked like or acted like.

To add; there are so many condition a child can have...if you are at higher risk to have some serious condition happen to you because of this or may not be able to carry the baby to term; you might need the testing; but i am assuming the dr would have persuaded you if that were the case...so assuming that...

A child could be born with the test done postitive; and be perfectly normal...it could test positive and have extreme conditions or basic problems....degrees vary....also; this is only a dest for DS...babies can suffer many diseases or problems in childbirth and labor...you never know...

so like I said; just look at your own values...do what is right to settle your heart and mind...you dont want to worry yourself sick if you do or dont get it done!!!

best of luck to you and the baby.

Answer 5

Would you carry the baby to term if you knew it has DS? If so, then I would suggest that you do not have the amnio done. Why take that risk? They can actually tell by looking at the toes and checking to see if there is any cartilage in the nose during a sonogram. Good Luck and I hope you deliver a very healthy baby!

Answer 6

I had an amnio done with my 3rd child. What they do is draw some fluid out of the sack the baby is in. It is not painful...maybe a little uncomfortable. They will tell you to be still while they stick a needle in your stomach to draw out the fluid. The reason they want you to be still is so they won't accidentally stick the baby or so that is what they told me. They then send the fluid to the lab to run tests. It is amazing what this fluid will tell them. It told them my babies lungs were developed enough to have a C-section before my due date due to toxemia. Don't be scared , this will be the easiest way to test for any birth defect they may be looking for.

Answer 7

Honestly, I wouldn't have it done unless you are really contemplating abortion if the baby does have DS. I have had 2 friends say that their dr.s told them they were at risk and that is the conclusion both of them came to. Neither had it done b/c they didn't want to risk losing the baby. Neither ended up having a DS baby either. I know you really want to know, but you have to ask your self if it's worth the risk. If you would keep the baby regardless, then why take the risk. Good luck with your difficult decision.

Answer 8

Well, I think you must ask yourself a question, and this is a tough choice, what would you do if you found out that your baby had down syndrome? What would that information do to you? How would you feel?

Would you love a baby less because he has down syndrome? Would you consider aborting it? Sometimes I am not sure if we are meant to know these kinds of things.

There was a TV, Life Goes On, with a young man in it who had Down Syndrome, my son who has learning disabilities, told me, that he considered this young man his hero, He said, Mom if he has Down Syndrome and he can be in a TV show, then I can learn to read. My son was about 11 at the time, reading at a 1st grade reading level. By the age of 15, he was on grade level-- because a kid with Down Syndrome was his hero and motivated him.

What if his parents had decided to abort him, I wonder what would have motivated my son to work and learn to read?

Answer 9

My mom had one when she was pregnant with my little bro, she was 39 at the time and he's ok, but i don't know a lot about them so u should really have a good chat with ur doctor and weigh the options, hes a professional so he'll probably know better than the rest of us.

Answer 10

i have had an amnio done in the past . i came through it with no problems what soever. I guess it all just depends on the women and the pregnancy, they are all different.

Answer 11

You have to ask yourself: Would you abort a baby who had a disability? If no, then don't have the amnio as it's not necessary. If you're keeping the baby, whywould it matter if s/he has a disability? If yes, well, then that's up to you...