amniocentesis

[Melissa_Yvette]

Hello :) I'm 7+6 now and doc scheduled next ultrasound for Apr.2 I will be about 11 or 12 weeks then, she wants to do an amniocentesis at that appointment as well. Is this usually performed this early? How often does this happen during pregnancy? And will I be able to get the gender of baby?
Thanks in advance!

[hines2009]

I'm not too sure wht the triple screen is I didn't get one of those...they done my frst sonogram and diagnosed the cystic hygroma and told me I cld have the amnio done to find out more if I wanted it. I agreed and they scheduled my appt for amnio. While they are doin the amnio they have another dr doin a sonogram to keep check on the baby and so they can c where they are w the needle. Yes I know it sounds very scary but I went in with the worst thoughts and everything came out perfectly fine. But its somethin tht is completley up to u to do.

[MamaBear0612]

A triple screen or quad screen is just a blood test they give you to test for proteins and such that if they're elevated, could indicate possible genetic issues with the baby. There's a pretty high false positive rate, so even if you are "positive" on the triple screen, that doesn't mean anything's necessarily wrong, and that's why they might do an amnio at that point so they could see for sure. But while the triple screen is a simple blood test, an amnio has a miscarriage rate of approximately 1/200. It's a big choice, whether or not to do an amnio, so don't let her railroad you into it; inform yourself as much as you can and ask whatever questions you need to ask. You're young and it doesn't sound like there are any likely genetic issues, so unless there's some specific medical reason you need one, it doesn't sound like it's necessary to do a procedure that invasive.

[sehale]

A triple screen is just a blood test. They draw your blood and and test it for certain hormones in your blood. A triple screen has no risk for your or the baby and should always be done before an amniocentesis.  

[Melissa_Yvette]

Oh boy this worries me, why would my doctor do this. Sehale mentioned in her previous post that its usually dont after a triple screen? What is that and how is it done?

[hines2009]

yeah she def should have asked if u wanted one done first. It is 100% up to you whether u want one or not. U need to find out y she wanted to do one one u?! Like i said in my post above I had one done after they diagnosed my daughter with a cystic hygroma,and they could lead to other probems. So i has one done so tht we would know if there was anything wrong that we would be prepared for what was to come. Everything came came normal as far as the chromosones go, because thts all it really test for. But tht Dr. should NOT do the procedure without ur consen first!!!!

[sehale]

Before she does the procedure, you should DEFINITELY talk to her about it. She shouldn't have scheduled you for an amniocentesis without asking if you wanted one, explaining why you might need one, or telling you the risks of having one done. No, high blood pressure wouldn't warrant an amniocentesis. The procedure is just to check the baby's genes.

[Proudmommie2012]

With the amnio it carries a risk of miscarriage and it is considered an invasive procedure

[Melissa_Yvette]

So it is too soon?? "/ I didn't know much about the procedure until we had scheduled a new one and I read a little bit about it. She did not tell me why she wanted one done this early. I don't have any history of birth defects in my family and neither does the boyfriend. High blood pressure, anxiety, and twins run in the families. Could high blood pressure be a reason? I'm not aware of the risks of this procedure I will have to research that. Did any of you ladies have this done in any of your pregnancies?

[hines2009]

Lol thank you..good way to remember it :)

[RippedonScotch]

if they do an Amino yes you can tell the sex of the baby.  it is odd that she is having you do that so early though without further explaination.

[cnhauk]

xx is girl, xy is boy. My step-mom always jokes that the reason men are the way they are is because of whatever was on that missing leg of the x-turning it into a y haha

[hines2009]

Hi there..the above posters are right..they shouldn't do an anmio unless u want one and there is a reason to. I had one with my last dautgher as they had diagnosed her w a cystic hygroma in her ultrasound. I was really really scared before I had it done. But it was not as bad as I expected. And yes u will b able to tell sex of the baby either xy for girl or xx for boy. (Think ths how it goes..lol)but I ended up havin a beautiful healthy baby girl :) But did they say y u had to have one done?

[cnhauk]

Is there a reason your Doctor wants to do an amnio on you? Are you a high risk pregnancy? Unless it's absolutely necessary, I don't think I'd suggest it. But it's completely up to you, just make sure you do your research about the risks and benefits of the procedure.

[sehale]

Amniocentesis is usually done between 15 And 20 weeks if your baby is at high risk for abnormalities. It's also usually done after a triple screen has been done, and the results come back abnormal. It's an optional procedure, so it should be completely up to you whether they do it or not. An amniocentesis will be able to tell you for sure the gender.