Is amniocentesis test necessary to detect down syndrome in a pregnant woman?

Question

I am 28 and 14 weeks pregnant. My gyne suggested me to take the amniocentesis test. Pls, i need advice.

Answer 1

It's only necessary if you consider abortion an option if the test shows that the baby isn't perfect. If you are willing and ready to accept the child however it comes out, why have the test?

The odds of a healthy 28 year old woman having a baby with Down's Syndrome are very low. The risk goes up after the age of 35.

Answer 2

At 14 weeks pregnant, you probably have about 3 weeks to think about it. 17 weeks is about the time they want to do an amnio if they're going to do it.

If you're only 28, you really should ask your doctor why she is suggesting this.

--Is there a history of genetic abnormalities in yours or the father's family?

--Did your doctor detect something on an ultrasound that would warrant an amnio?

--Did you already take the alphafetoprotein test, and did it show positive for possible problems?

--Would amnio results that showed positive for genetic abnormalities make a difference in how you manage your pregnancy?

These are all things you should discuss with your doctor before you make a decision. I've had to go through it twice, however, I was pregnant while 10 years older than you!

Also, I have to add that aborting-vs.not-aborting is not the only consideration when deciding *not* to do an amnio. Even if you have made up your mind ahead of time that you definitely will not abort in the very, very, very miniscule chance that something is wrong, it would be in everyone's interest to have doctors and specialists and paperwork lined up ahead of time to manage the newborn's health. I would want it that way, anyway, and that's why I opted for the test for both my pregnancies.

Good luck!

Answer 3

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RE:
Is amniocentesis test necessary to detect down syndrome in a pregnant woman?
I am 28 and 14 weeks pregnant. My gyne suggested me to take the amniocentesis test. Pls, i need advice.

Answer 4

Get a second opinion from another doctor. FOR SURE.
I know that an amniocentesis is the most common and efficient way of detecting Trisomy 21 (Downe Syndrome), but it is a scary procedure for any woman. There is a TON of information on the subject if you go looking for it... I suggest you do your research. As far as I know, Downe Syndrome is a concern when a woman gets pregnant at the age of thirty-five or older....
You are still very young.
I am not a doctor though, by any means, so read as much as you can and ask as many questions as necessary.
Get that second opinion.
And go with your instinct.

Here are a few sites that discuss Downe Syndrome:

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/biology/b103/f01/web3/okeefe.html

http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/genetic/down_syndrome.html

http://www.drgreene.com/21_1072.html

http://www.wdxcyber.com/npreg06.htm

CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 5

There is a blood test that can be done in order to check for genetic abnormalities, and if that comes out to show signs of abnormalities people can then have amnio. I don't know if the blood test, itself, can pinpoint whether or not there is Down Syndrome.

These days ultrasounds show up so many things in the unborn baby you may want to ask the doctor why he/she is recommending the amnio.

There is a small risk of miscarriage when a person has amnio, so you may want to ask about that as well.

I was early thirties with one child, and the doctor began to describe the blood test to check for genetic problems. He said, "Before I get into this, I need to know if you would abort if it turns out there is something wrong." At the time I was, I think, 15 or 16 weeks along; and I said I would not abort the pregnancy. He said, "Well, then. No point talking about any tests."

33/34 is generally the age when doctors have a little more concern about genetic abnormalities. 28 is still young enough that genetic problems shouldn't generally be much of a concern unless there is something in your background or with your pregnancy that has caused warning flags to go up for the doctor.

I think you have to ask the doctor for an appointment that would give you time to talk about all the possible reasons/concerns the doctor has and to discuss any reservations/worries you have about the procedure. If I were in your situation I would want to be given valid reason for the procedure's being suggested before I'd even consider it. Ask the doctor is something has shown up in, maybe, the ultrasound to raise his/her concerns.

All you can do is ask for as much information as you can get, weigh the facts, and decide what you want to do, based on what risks you're willing to take.

Answer 6

When I was pregnant they told me amniocentesis has a 1 in 100 chance of causing a miscarriage, but where I'm from they don't usually do it unless the woman is over 35 as that carries a higher risk.

So I guess it just depends on whether you would consider having an abortion if it came back that your child did have Down's, and if you're willing to take that risk. But I think for your age it's probably not likely.

Good luck & congrats :)

Answer 7

Did your doctor say the amniocentesis was to test for downs syndrome? They can test for many, many things with an amniocentesis. If they are looking for downs, you probably already had suspicious blood work that warranted further testing for Downs and/or other genetic disorders. Have you had an Alpha-Fetoprotein Test yet?

An amniocentesis is not nearly as scary as people make it sound. It's not as dangerous as the people in this forum are making it sound. It is not painful. You need to find out why your doctor wants to do this test and then you can decide if you feel it really needs to be done.

Good Luck.

Answer 8

Did you happen to have a positive AFP test? AFP (alpha feto-protein) or the triple test is a blood test used to test for birth defects and other birth anomalies. Be aware, that these tests have a high incidence of false-positives and many mothers have had scares of down syndrome babies that are actually healthy. Follow-ups on positive AFPs can be done by amniocentesis or with second level ultrasounds.

You should find out if your state pays for this (California does) and you will be assigned to a geneticist for counseling (questions about you, father, family, etc) and they can perform a second level ultrasound right then and there. A radiologist/doctor cannot make a diagnosis of Down Syndrome from just an ultrasound, but, they can look for physical characteristics of Down Syndrome (holes in heart, shortened spine). The second level ultrasound is much different then the one you see in your ob's office, it is done with a bigger machine and the viewing screen is on a huge t.v.

Double check with your doctor!

Answer 9

I do believe that it is the only test that can test for down syndrom ina pregnant woman. I would recommend doing it, I would recommend thinking long and hard about what you are going to do with the information you get back. What will you do if there is a problem? This is serious are you prepared to take care of a handicapped child who will need specialized care for the rest of their life?

This is a tough decision, you are almost a mother and I know you can do it.

Good Luck

Answer 10

Yes it is but I think that you should tell them to retest you for the triple screen test ( you had that done already I hope). I have a three week old baby and my obgyn also told me that the triple screen test came back negative but she saw that my husband and I were only in our 20's and had the test retaken. Honey even if you are off by a week for the due date the triple screen test comes negative and therefore you need to take the aminocentesis. So if you want tell the doc to re-test it or better yet have an ultersound done and see if they come up with the same due date as you because I was off by two weeks and the test came back positive. But I have a healthy three week old baby and I could not be happier. Good Luck with everything