Females only---Have you had an amnio done? Would you recommend it?

Question

I'm 35 and my doctor asked if I wanted it done but I'm unsure. My husband says we should but I'm not sure. Please help.

Answer 1

If you aren't too far along, do Nuchal Translucency test. It is just like an ultrasound, so there is no risk of miscarriage from the test. You can then use those results to determine whether to have the Amnio. This test is done at 11-14 weeks.

In a nutshell, the fluid in the baby's neck is measured, and anything over 3mm is at a much higher risk for Down's syndrome and other issues. This is done by using a very detailed ultrasound that takes about an hour.

I am 32 and had it last week. The results were that my chances of a Down's child are 1 in 9543 (very good) and my chances for other chromosonal abnormalities is less than 1 in 10,000.
Based on this, I don't see the need to the amnio.

The risk of miscarriage from amnio is 1 in 300--not the greatest odds.
If your concern is that you would be afraid of the results, I would say do it. It is better to know for sure about potential problems, then to live with 9 months of the stress of uncertainty. You need to be in a positive state of mind while pregnant, not be worried!!

Answer 2

Three kids, three amino's (because of age: 33, 38 & 40). Unless the doctor is a quack, you really don't have anything to worry about. They are safe and 99%+ accurate. Should you decide to have one, make sure your husband (or someone) stays home with you so you can "lay around" for the rest of the day after the procedure. They recommend it. I only experienced a bit of cramping with the third amnio but it was gone after a few hours.

mb

Answer 3

They can do a blood draw from your fingers for the quad or triple screen test and if that comes back abnormal then they recommend having the amnio. With Amnio there is a risk of miscarriage, and it is not always right. I know a few women that have had abnormal amnios and their babies were born with no problems, like Down Syndrome.

Answer 4

I had my first baby at 35...I was offerd an amnio as well. MY Dr did tell me that there is a one in 200 chance of miscarriage. You can't have it until 5 months...so if there is anything wrong, there's not much you can do about it. As far as I was concerend...I was going to have what I was dealt with. I had a full term totally healtyh 8lb 4 oz baby boy.

Answer 5

personally i think that it is to much of a risk to have one done there is a 1 in 200 chance that you will have a miscarriage as a direct result of the amnio i do not think that it is worth the risk if you know that you will not keep the child if something is wrong with it then go ahead and have one but if it does not matter to either of you if it has some sort of problem then i think that you should not get it done loosing a baby is one of the hardest things in the world to go through trust me i have been through it

Answer 6

If you wouldn't kill your own baby, don't waste the money. You get what you get in the baby department, and that goes for the sex and everything else too. My youngest child is/was autistic. We couldn't have detected that anyway, it changed my life. But only for the better. Babies are people, and ALL people have handicaps, some of them you can see, and some of them only become evident when they open their mouths, and some of them are 'heart defects' of a different nature. Which would you rather have?

Answer 7

yes, and only if the doctor recommends it. There is a small chance that it could make you loose the baby. read up on it and trust your doctor.
Ask you doctor if he thinks it is necessary.
By the way it is a very uncomfortable feeling. Not trying to scare you but it is the truth.

Answer 8

It's a safe thing to have done at least once, if you're not having complications I wouldn't suggest that you continue getting it done throughout your pregnancy, unless it's medically necessary, and your Dr. would determine that. For peace of mine once, I say go for it ! God Bless You. Good luck.

Answer 9

I had one with my second child. It was very painful, but medically necessary (not an option). My water broke exactly one week later. I was 25 weeks along. My son did not survive. Unless there is a medical necessity, why put you and your baby through the stress of it?

Answer 10

my dr gave me the option (i as 19) so of course i said no- in my opinion it would have beed easier to find out about that your baby has downs when you see your beautiful baby and not care becasue you already love your baby so much, than to fid out when you are 16 weeks pregnant and worry until it gets here and know that there is nothing you can do about it

if they could find defects and correct them then it would be different.