Amniocentesis and scared to death..........................?

Question

I am 35 and doctor just advised me to discuss having Amniocentesis with my husband. I am scared of the risk to the baby and the enormous needle. Please help!

Answer 1

Of all the invasive tests, amniocentesis performed by an experienced doctor has proven to be the safest. The risk of miscarriage is about 1% (1 in 100) although some studies report a risk as low as 0.2% (1 in 500). This risk must be weighed against the general risk, about 4% (1 in 25) of a baby born with a deformity. Some studies have suggested that amniocentesis is responsible for respiratory difficulties in about 1% (1 in 100) procedures. This is a matter of debate and you should discuss it with your doctor before having the test.

The use of ultrasound while performing amniocentesis has dramatically improved the safety of the test and the fetus, umbilical cord and placenta are rarely struck by the needle. Occasionally temporary cramping, slight bleeding and leakage of amniotic fluid may occur and in about 0.1% (1 in 1000) examples anmioitis, an infection in the amniotic fluid, may result. You should always report an increase in body temperature after amniocentesis just in case.

I had the test done and the main reason I had it done was for me to go through the pain and not the baby. A co-worker of mine refused to have the test and their baby was born with severe heart problems. They are in and out of the hospital since his birth. He is not even a year old and this is his third operation!!! Why would I want my baby to go through this? I rather go through the pain myself now than have my baby suffer the consequences of not doing it.

Answer 2

I had my amnio last month and I was also scared to death. The procedure is uncomfortable BUT it is very quick and that's it. I highly recommend it for peace of mind. Just keep your eyes closed while they are doing it and hold someone's hand. My husband was not allowed in the room with me. I had two nurses and my doctor that's been doing amnios for 19 years. I totally trust him, he recommended it and we went along with it. This test is amazing that it can distinguish the exact nature of any problem that may exist. I think the benefits of knowing outweighs the risks (and pain) of an amniocentesis. Make sure after the procedure, you lay in bed all day otherwise that eerie sharp pain will not go away. You'll be fine. The baby will be fine. I am the world's biggest chicken and would do it again without question. Waiting for the test results can prove to be the worst part of the process, my results came back just last week (I had the amnio Nov 16) with a 99.9% rate of negative.

Answer 3

I had one when pregnant with my oldest child, 13 years ago, and it really isn't that bad. They numb the area, so all you feel is just a little tugging sensation. I went into labor the night I had it done, but I was 35 weeks along. There is some risk of your water breaking, which is what happened to me, but I don't think that risk is as great if you aren't that far along. They can tell so much by testing the fluid, and it will help you be prepared. Good luck, I wish you the best.

Answer 4

Did your Dr advise you that there is a 1 in 200 chance of miscarriage...that they can't do the test till you are at least 5 months along..and if there is something wrong that you are too far along to do anything about it...and that there is a percentage of error. I was 35 when my son was born and did not have the amnio...I had no family history and felt that the risk of losing the baby was too high.

Answer 5

I had one done when i was pregnant with my son and im only 22
I am the biggest wimp when it comes to needles but this one didnt bother me so much
they do numb the area and most doctors have enough experience not to hurt your baby
at your age it might be best to get one done and then ull know if your having a healthy baby or not and u can even ask them not to tell u the gender of your baby if u want to keep it a secret

Answer 6

I wouldn't have the test done. There is an increased risk to losing the baby just by having the test. All it does, is check to see if your baby has down syndrome or not and even then the test isn't 100 percent accurate. If the test comes back positive, then I guess it gives the mother a choice if she wants to continue the pregnancy or not. Having the test done just didn't make any sense to me. Why would I want to endanger my babys life?

Answer 7

Always remember that it's your choice not the doctor's! I personally wouldn't get one done regardless of my age. Most of the time these stupid tests are not necessary and give you false readings. Let's say that if you get it done and they tell you your baby is going to be born sick, is that going to make a difference whether you have the baby or not? If it doesn't make a difference to you then why get it done? Keep in mind that every time a woman gets pregnant there are always risks involved. So as mother's to be we should all prepare for the worse.

Answer 8

Well all you have to do is answer this question. If your baby has downs syndrome, what would you do? That is the main thing they test for. By finding out early they still can't cure it. I would leave it alone. Your doc wants to do that for the same reason that mechanics want to rotate your tires every 20,000 miles. There also is no real statisical proof that age and downs are related.

Answer 9

I'm pregnant on my second child and said no twice. The way I see it is I'm having the children either way, whether they have a deformity or not. I don't believe in abortion and never will. You have to ask yourself: will you be willing to raise a child that may have a deformity or severe health issue?

If you can answer yes to that question then tell your doctor NO!

The Amnio isn't 100%, They could tell you your baby is perfect and be born with problems or vice versa it's a chance you have to be willing to take.

GOOD LUCK

Answer 10

I had an extremely comparable adventure. i'm 31 years previous and replaced into pregnant for the 1st time. I had amazing spots tutor on his coronary heart in an ultrasound and then they ran a attempt to rule out down syndrome. That attempt got here back with extra beneficial stages interior the section that replaced into additionally a marker for downs. Then I too had the amnio and had to attend. That wait replaced into quite no longer ordinary. I have been given quite scared. even however the physician and the genetic counselors confirmed me information that mentioned there replaced right into a lots extra beneficial possibility each and everything could be high quality, it replaced into undesirable. I prayed lots too. At one factor, i replaced into basically praying for peace interior of myself because of the fact i replaced into soooo freaked out and then my husband walked interior the room to envision in on me. i presumed that replaced right into a sprint sign that I wasn't dealing with this on my own, and curiously such as you're no longer the two. My son replaced into born final July and is presently taking a snooze draped throughout the time of me. confident, that's making this a sprint no longer ordinary to type! yet, he replaced into born without down syndrome. It sounds like your physician did a reliable activity of explaining each and everything. I basically comprehend that the reliable information, that each and everything is high quality, won't be able to come quickly adequate.