Prenatal Testing- Amnio or No Amnio

[Munch1969]

Hello All,
I haven't been on for a while--hope everyone has been well.  I am seeking some advise; I am not almost 13 weeks pregnant--all seems to be going well so far!  I just had the big tests, my first ultasound and blood to measure the risk of Down Syndrome; well, the ultrasound came out fine; the doctor called today with the results of the blood; according to him, the results are good- my chances of having a baby with Down Syndrome are 1 in 364, according to the doctor, same risk as a 32 year old and I am 39 years old.  Trisomy 18 is a 1 in 2030 risk- he said all is OK, and he would advise me against an amnio for now (can't have an amnio until 16 weeks he said)---My confusion is, I don't think this ratio is great, and I need to know if my baby will have chromo. abnormalities---has anyone have these statistics and had an amnio...

Thanks

[Riot_Queen]

I said a big *NO* when he asked if I wanted that done.
There's more cons than pros when it comes to getting an amnio done.

First off, it can cause your water to break.
I had a girl I knew that had that done at I think 20 weeks.
Needless to say her water broke and her baby didn't make it. <=/

Ontop of that,
those tests aren't 100% accurate. So the risk REALLY isn't worth it.

I read that 50 out of 1,000 women that have that test done, come back with abnormal results;
But only 1 or 2 will actually end up with DS babies.

I told my doctor that if my baby has down syndrom, they can tell me when she's already out.
I wasn't fixin to take that risk.

So think about those facts first.
Honestly, there's not much they can do for you ANYWAYS.
All the test is good for is telling you, "Oh, your baby has DS." and that's it.
It's not like they can do anything for him/her while they're still in there.

Sorry I'm rambling.
Do what YOU think is best, and don't let no doctors get pushy with you.
I've had doctors that were very persistant and pushy with me and I didn't like it one bit.

[martikadragoon]

Munch~ I am 21 and had an amnio due to a genetic condition that I have (skin condition) that the baby has a %50 of getting.

My son is now 6 weeks old and DOES have down syndrome. I didn't have any problems with my amnio and just took it easy for 24 hrs. basically I had NO bleeding or anything other than mild cramps.  If you have any questions PM me.

and if it does come out that baby has downs.... ask any questions you have.

YOu can request a level 2 ultrasound and ask them to look for the "soft" markers of downs. It'll give you an idea but they're only about %60-80 accurate. they'll look for extra padding on back of neck called a Nuchleal(sp?) fold. and other stuff. including a missing nose bone and other stuff. it's non invasive.

[leighanne143]

if you are really worried you can ask for a level 2 ultrasound where they measure many of the babys features more closely.  this gives a little more idea of if there are any abnormalities with the baby.  your risks do not seem very high at all.  

[mj_mommy_manda]

I have a trisomy 14.  Its when you pass on 2 14th chromosomes to the baby.. Well in MOST cases that's what happens when I become pregnant.. If I were to do that and my body was to kick out the paternal 14th chromosome (leaving baby with 2 of MY 14th) it would result in something called Prader Willi (I think thats the spelling..) its an abnormality in the brain causing uncontrolled overeating.. Its impossible to get rid of.  

I was offered the amnio about 100 times.. as my chances for this are 1 in 200 (1/2%) I figured that even if my baby did have this I wouldn't abort anyway.. So what was the point of worrying about it? Yes I could prepare myself if the baby did have it.. But what is there really to do besides come to terms emotionally? I think in the end it would cause more stress and worry than anything, which is why I chose not to have the amnio.. If the baby has the disease it is Gods will.

[Zet1]

Hi i feel your stress.  Your Dr is right an amnion can only be done at 16 weeks, but i would feel comfortable and relaxed that your Dr is happy with the results.  The indication for doing an amnion is for a risk of 1:300.  So you are over this - do bear in mind that these test work on a scale taking your age and all sorts of things in consideration.  And being older as i am 32 it causes your end result to be a bit more of a worry.  As long as your blood and scan results was good.

I had bad blood results with a risk of Trisomy 21 1:299 and Trisomy 13/18 1:333 which scared me to death but after the scan my risk was adjusted to 1:1352 for Trisomy 21 and 1:2065

Do bear in mind that your risk is only 1 of 364 - at about 20 weeks they will do a full morphology scan and look at everything again.  I would suggest that you ask your doctor for more information to give you reassurance.

I personally don't like the idea of putting a healthy baby at risk of a miscarriage if not needed to - that's why you will have to make sure if its really needed to.  Once again its machinery that has to determine the outcome and its never 100% accurate.

I wish you all the best and hope your Dr can give you more reassurance.

[BTS1022]

Actually those results are great for your age. I had very bad results for my DS screening with my youngest son who is now 2. I was 21 when I had him, and I refused the amnio, because at 16 weeks it's to late to abort, and I figured the lord has granted me my child the way he is for a reason.

Well my son like I said is 2. He is perfectly healthy with no chromo abnormalities. He knows his ABC's, can write his name, and read simple words like cat, dog, ect..

I would do what you feel is best, but if the test comes out positive or negative.....is it really going to ease your mind?

[ashiepooh]

They can cause you to miscarry as well.  My advise is do what your doctor thinks you should do.  I had to have one with my son, only because he has one kidney and they wanted to make sure everything was going good as well.  They can tell quite a few things from an amnio..  But I would do what your doctor thinks.  They have asked me what I wanted, and Friday I see my doctor and if he thinks I should then I am going to.  i'm 13 weeks an a day or two and I can have mine as soon as Monday rolls around....

[kikicoates78]

You have to do what makes you feel comfortable, but a word of advise, Amnio's can cause early labor so make your decision wisely. Good luck to you, and my thoughts are with you and your little one.