Amniocentesis worries???

Question

Im 17 weeks and my doctor didnt tell me when i could get the ultrasound to see if my baby has down's syndrome or not. now its to late but in a pregnancy book iv read that you can get the amniocentesis test.It is usually preformed at 14-16 weeks but can be done up to 26weeks. As i am young and going to be a single mum i dont think i could handle a child with problems at this stage in my life. If anyone has had this done or heard anything bad about it please shed some light for me.
The book also says that the baby isnt in a high risk of danger as the needle goes into the uterine walls and into the amniotic fluid but doesnt touch the baby. also it states that the risk of misscarage is 1 in 300 or 0.3%

Thanks

Answer 1

i feel that the risk is much higher than what that book states. also do know that there is a VERY high rate of false positives that then have to be confirmed with further testing that often turns out to be a negative and has just put the mother thru a lot of unnecessary worrying and stressing. i have known a few women who have gone thru this and it was really a horrible time in their pregnancy. i am really not for any unnecessary testing during pregnancy and you aren't at high risk for a baby with down's but you have to do what is right for you.
i'm not pregnant so am not in any position to claim to know how you feel but i definitely think i'll not have any kind of tests like that... i will just have what God gives me and go from there.

good luck!

Answer 2

I had a NT scan done at 12week which came back a high risk of down syndrome of my baby of 1:297. My gynae recommend an amniocentesis. I booked mine at 16week.

I was advised to take 2 panadol before the amnio and a gynae actually sterilized my tummy and using the ultrasound, guided a needle to draw some amniotic fluid from the amniotic sac. I saw from the ultrasound that the baby hand was moving towards the needle but then he pull away. No, it didn't hurt the baby. I didn't feel any pain although no anesthetic was injected but feel slight pressure. After the process, my tummy was sterilize again and a band-aid was pasted on the injected spot. The spot was just a very tiny injection hole and hardly noticeable. I was advised to rest for 2 days and not to lift heavy weights or do streneous exercises or actions.

But do look out for any amniotic fluid leaking, bloody discharge or fever and contact your doctor immediately when any of these happens. It normally takes about 2-3week for the result to be out but there is a test call the FISH test that let you knows the result in 2-3day, which is slightly more expensive.

The miscarriage rate is 1:250 but if you are not ready to accept a DS baby cose of some constraints, please do not have the baby as you will not love and take care of him with all your heart. Please book for the amnio test early if you are really intending to abort a DS baby, as there is a time period, eg not more than 26week which will put the mother at risk.

Whatever your decision, please consider carefully and do not let others influence you.

Answer 3

Hi i had a amnocentisis the chances of you or the baby getting hurt are very slim, its very hard to tell by ultrasound if your baby has down's. I need goes into the fluid they are watching it with the sonagram to make sure they don't hit the baby and take a test to see if they did hit the baby, if the baby is bleeding from the needle. Then they take the fluid and test it. Risk of misscarage is very low actually never heard of one myself. Why do you think you baby has down's? if i may ask? e-mail me if you want at [e-mail]

Answer 4

Ask for the miscarriage record of he doctor performing the Amnio. The doctor should be able to tell you. And if the doctor doesn't then I would be concerned. You see some doctors are better at performing amnios than others. Then gauge the doctor's record by the .3% , if higher then I wouldn't do it.

Personally, I wouldn't do it regardless, but everyone is different.