Amnio...?? Yes..no...and what if it showed that baby had disorder?

Question

I haven't gotten a positive hpt yet, but one of the things that has crossed my mind , is that if I am pregnant, would I get amniocentisis done? I mean, here in canada, it's done between 16-18 weeks, with results returning in 2-3 weeks thereafter. One would've felt the baby moving and grown some kind of bond by then...do people really abort if the amnio result shows that their baby will be born with downs or some other disorder? If not, what is the point of risking miscarriage by having this done? Just hoping to have some people's thoughts and opinions on this. Thanks

Answer 1

Unless you're 35 or older or have another reason, amnios usually aren't done and are used to test for genetic abnormalities. You're probably thinking of the AFP or Triple Screen test which can only give you an idea if you're more at risk for a baby with Down's Syndrome or Spina Bifida but the results are really unreliable. The only reason I have it done is because my husband has Spina Bifida Occulta (a lot of people have it but it is so mild it really doesn't affect anyone and most don't know they have it) to make sure our little ones aren't at risk. Otherwise I'd fore go it because it causes too much unnecessary stress. It's really your choice to have it or not - you always have the right to refuse but if your practitioner highly recommends it then you might consider it.

Unfortunately, some people do choose to terminate because they aren't ready for the intensive care a special needs child will require. It is a big responsibility and take a lot of your time.

Totally a personal choice and don't worry about it until the time comes. Best of luck with everything!

Answer 2

I am living in Canada too, have been through one pregnancy already here. I can give you a little info to help. Before even thinking of having an amnio done, make sure they have given you the triple screen test first. If you have any pos result on that then you can consider having an amnio. However you can also ask to have a nuchal-transluceny test done with ultrasound which would be a lot less invasive. But unless you have a family history, or have a pos triple marker, the amnio is not really necessary, and the doctor won't order it unless there is some indication. Also the risk to the fetus of death is 1/200, after just having a stillbirth myself, I can tell you you don't want to test those odds. The one thing to keep in mind with all the tests is how far do you want to go with it and what course of action are you comfortable with depending on your views of terminating or not. Some people think that quality of life is also important. I hope I don't have to make that choice, they don't know why it happened, but the one thing that has helped me to deal with losing my son, is the idea that at least he isn't suffering now. Good luck to you!

Answer 3

I chose not to have an amnio done for either of my pregnancies because these are my children and no matter what the results were they would be truly loved so I didn't want to take the risks. We did choose to have the blood tests and the full anatomy ultrasound done just because if our children were to have special needs we wanted to be ready to help them from birth on and I think that's the reason some people get the amnio done to be prepared. Unfortunately there are people out there who do choose to abort if their child does show to have some kind of problem which is really sad but it does happen.

Answer 4

I screened positive for a Down's baby, and was referred to a genetic specialist. She recommended that I have a really extensive ultra sound done (it took close to three hours) to look for the physical markers, and then if there were any physical markers I could opt for an amnio if I wanted. An amnio increases the risks of miscarriage, so I decided that it wasn't an option. Thankfully my daughter was perfectly normal and healthy. However, had she been Down's, I would not have aborted my pregnancy, but I think having time to research and prepare yourself for a Down'a baby is a great thing. Not all parents would opt for an abortion, but some would. I guess that's a personal choice, and even though I was horrified at the suggestion of aborting due to something like Downs, it's not for me to decide for other parents how to choose. I just hope that parents that choose abortion are well aware of what it is they are doing, and are able to live with it after. That's my opinion! :)

Answer 5

There _isn't_ any point if you wouldn't abort, but doctors aren't real big on advertising that.

Google "prenatal screening canada" and similar. You'd only wind up with amnio if the blood/ultrasound screens hinted at a problem. Sounds okay, right? But the screening tests are filled with false positives. Suppose you got one, and decided not to risk the amnio -- you'd have a miserable pregnancy worrying, when odds were good everything was fine.

It's all very silly, and I (also Canadian) am not at all pleased with Cdn obstetricians for pushing the tests.

The initial ones start at, I think, 11-12 weeks. I am quite pro-choice, but like to think it's always a choice that can and should be made pretty damn quickly after a first period. At 11-12 weeks, I was clearly -- to myself -- pregnant; even then would've been a bit late for me, but aborting at 20-odd weeks? Unthinkable, yes.

Answer 6

My sister lives in Canada and one of her children was born there, and she lived there during both of her pregnancies and she never had an amnio. ANY procedure is something you can turn down. It is YOUR body, so don't think that you are required or pressured to have something done you do not want. Since I personally would not abort under any circumstances I even turned down the AFP (alpha fetoprotein) test, and if I were offered an amnio "just because" I would turn that down too. Now if the results allowed some information that could potentially help the baby or save the baby's life, then I would do it. But if it is simply to know about abnormalities or to allow abortion, no I would not consent to it. And yes, people really DO abort if they find out there are issues such as Down's syndrome or spina bifida, etc..... I personally know of someone who did this, then actually sent out announcements about her and her husband's "loss".

Answer 7

Most older women now get CVS since it is done considerably earlier for exactly the reasons you state. According to my state's stats, 95% of women with negative result from amnio or CVS (i.e. positive for downs or other genetic markers) choose abortion whether they get CVS or amnio. Amnio has the advantage of also testing for spina bifida and related problems. CVS is too early to get results for this.

I totally agree with you. I think it's dumb to get this test if you will not terminate the pregnancy if you get bad results. There are plenty of other ways to find out later in pregnancy that are non-invasive so that you can 'prepare.'

If you are under 35, they typically use blood tests to screen. CVS and amnio are usually offered to every woman over 35.

I would like to add that a study came out, featured on ABC News just last week, that with the use of ultrasound, the risk of miscarriage from amnio is barely higher than the background miscarriage rate. So, it is much safer than it once was.

Answer 8

Okay first of all can you deal with the pressures that this is going to bring you? A down syndrome child is a big task to take on. If you belive in God he never gives you more than you can handle! I suggest that you think it though for you and not what any other JOE BLOW ON HERE THINKS. This is your life and your choice. I am against aborting a child but I think it if a health risk for you or child then it's the mother and fathers choice. I agree that aborting a baby has a lot of mental guilt with it but again this is a cruel world and d. s. babies and children are wonderful. The don't know how cruel the world is and have such compassion for life. On the other hand momma you have to choose if this is some thing you can handle. Make the call for yourself! You can always get pregnant again if you should decied that's not a task you wish you tackle. Good luck and remember no one is in your shoes to say what they would or wouldn't do. Good luck with what ever your choice is. :)

Answer 9

I am answering you from Australia. We have stringent laws regarding amniocentesis and I can assure you, this in not undertaken haphazardously. There are other tests you can have for known family, or hereditary disorders and an amniocentesis would only be undertaken if it was absolutely necessary because of family history. The statistics of miscarriage after an amniocentesis here are quite low. Rather than get yourself into a state of anxiety by worrying about these things before you are presented with the problem, you would be better advised to keep a positive focus on your pregnancy (if you are pregnant) leave the worrying to the doctor who will, if absolutely necessary, advise any examinations that should be undertaken. Very often abnormalities can be picked up by an early ultrasound, but this is for specific, or abnormalities that are known in the family. My suggestion to you is to wait till you know if you are pregnant, and then discuss your fears with your doctor. It sounds to me like you may in the course of a pregnancy, require the services of a good psychologist who can help allay your fears and encourage a positive outlook for the future for yourself and your little family.

Answer 10

I chose to not have an amnio. I felt it un-necessary, since I would not choose to abort no matter what. But some families may not be able to care for a severly disabled child, and may make that choice.