amniocentesis test - do we or don't we?

Question

my wife is 42. This is our first baby, through IVF. Been offered the amniocentesis and we don't know if we should have it. Anyone out there had a similar experience ?

Answer 1

I'm not with child at the moment, but I think that when I am, I won't have the Amniocentesis.

My mother was told that there was a high chance that my Brother would have Downs Syndrome, and did she want an abortion. She decided to continue with the pregnancy, and my Brother was totally healthy - he doesn't have Downs Syndrome. She refused the offer of an Amniocentesis with me, as she didn't want to be put in the position of having to make a choice like that again, knowing that she could have aborted a perfectly healthy baby.

Answer 2

I was 35 when I had my first baby. I was offered the amniocentesis as well. I did the homework and found that there was a 1 in 200 chance of miscarriage. They can't do the amnio till you are about 5 months. You can't do anything about it that far into your pregnancy anyways. I felt that there was no history in my family, and that I would take what I was dealt.

Answer 3

I think you might consider it if only to reassure yourselves that everything is going as planned, IVF i can only assume that that was by necessity and not by choice, so the extra information to determine whether the extra chromosomal disorders exist.

don't want to scare you but you need to know the risks...
If a woman will be 35 or older at the time of delivery, most physicians offer the option of prenatal testing for chromosomal disorders. The most common of these disorders is Down syndrome, a combination of mental and physical abnormalities caused by the presence of an extra chromosome. Down syndrome occurs in approximately one in 1,250 children born to women in their 20s. The chances increase to one in 400 by age 35, and one in 100 at age 40.

but my question would be would you care about the results.


This is a hard decision...because what would you do if you found that there was something wrong?

would you abort this pregnancy? that is a question that only you and your mate can answer.

In the end if you would do nothing regardless of the results...then i would say don't have the test...

good luck and congratulations to you and your wife.

Answer 4

My wife was 34 when the non-invasive tests suggested that she was increased likeley hood of having a baby with down-syndrome so we had the test. Everything was OK.

My sister (similar age) has decided that if there was a problem with the baby then she's still keep it, so there's no point in taking the risk of the tests.

And I see her point. If the tests did come back positive, what would you do? If the answer is nothing, then don't risk the test. If the answer is abortion, then have the test.

Answer 5

That is a very personal decision. I think you must ask yourself this: If you found out there was a problem with the baby, Downs Syndrome for example, would that change your decision to go through with the pregnancy? I know for us, it wouldn't so I didn't opt for the amnio. There is also a fair amount of risk involved with an amnio. I do know of a friend that lost her baby because of a problem during the amnio. How does your wife feel?

Answer 6

You may want to research it online. We chose not to have it with both children. I was high risk but anything they were looking for could be found using a 3D ultrasound which is what we opted to do. They will tell you it is a small chance that it can cause a miscarriage. But any chance at all of that happening is too much of a risk. You may check some websites such as www.babycenter.com and other baby related websites to see what others are saying and draw your conclusion that way. HOpe this helps. :)

Answer 7

I was 36 with my last baby and offered the same thing. We chose not to because of the risks. We also knew though that we would have the baby no matter what the outcome of the tests would have been. So we opted out. It's totally up to you and your wife. Good luck, and congrats.

Answer 8

My doctor also recommended an amnio because of my age. After he gave us all the benefits and risks, we decided against having it done. Chances are there is nothing wrong with the baby, and you could cause a miscarriage. If something is wrong with the baby, knowing about it cannot change it. My daughter is fine and I'm glad we made the choice we did.

Answer 9

there's a blood try which would be achieved with the intention to income for genetic abnormalities, and if that comes out to tutor warning signs of abnormalities human beings can then have amnio. i do no longer recognize if the blood try, itself, can pinpoint despite if or no longer there is Down Syndrome. these days ultrasounds show up numerous issues interior the unborn toddler that's quite helpful to invite the generic practitioner why he/she is recommending the amnio. there's a small possibility of miscarriage while a guy or woman has amnio, so that's quite helpful to invite approximately that besides. i replaced into early 1930s with one new child, and the generic practitioner began to describe the blood attempt to income for genetic issues. He stated, "previously i'm getting into this, i could desire to renowned in case you may abort if it seems there is a few thing incorrect." on the time i replaced into, i think of, 15 or sixteen weeks alongside; and that i stated i would not abort the being pregnant. He stated, "properly, then. No element conversing approximately any assessments." 33/34 is regularly the age while docs have a touch greater subject approximately genetic abnormalities. 28 remains youthful adequate that genetic issues shouldn't many times be numerous a topic except there is a few thing on your historic past or along with your being pregnant that has led to warning flags to bypass up for the generic practitioner. i think of you would be able to desire to invite the generic practitioner for an appointment that could supply you time to talk approximately each and all the obtainable motives/concerns the generic practitioner has and to debate any reservations/concerns you have with regard to the technique. If I have been on your concern i might opt for to settle for valid reason for the technique's being stated previously i might even evaluate it. Ask the generic practitioner is a few thing has shown up in, maybe, the ultrasound to strengthen his/her concerns. All you're able to do is ask for as plenty tips as you may get, weigh the information, and choose what you opt for to do, per what disadvantages you're prepared to take.

Answer 10

Its something only you two can decide, i was offered it and took it as i wasn't prepared to have a child with serious defects and so on due to me having other children and didnt think it would have been fair on anyone.... luckily everything was fine, but if you are both determined to have this child no matter what the consequences are then i would suggest not having it as there is an increased risk of miscarriage. Due to your wife's age this needs a lot of talking about, good luck to you both