repeat amnio

[nettie7]

I am 17wks 3 days pregnant & had amnio today because of my age (41).  I had local anaesthetic but i still found the whole procedure awful. After several attempts he said he didn´t want to try again & for me to go back monday to repeat the procedure. I was already anxious about the the whole procedure & the risk of miscarraige but now more so.  I am so frightened as I didn´t want this test in the first place place, I am doing this at my husbands wishes.  I have already miscarried twins  & had a premature baby (28 wks & he is now 10!)
Will I be at more risk than normal if I have a repeat amnio?  Also, I already have a LOT of dark bruising, is this normal?  I am not suffering cramping or spotting.  Any advice please!

[nettie7]

Thank you for your response, i am feeling more anxious by the day.  This pregnancy came as a complete shock & I cant deny my initial feelings were not as they are now. However, my husband & I (& my other 2 boys 18 & 10) have really gotten excited now & we feel as though this baby is a gift to us.  As you said I would not want to lose this baby due to an amnio complication.  I am from the UK but live in Spain.  I thought I would get better care by going private rather than through the Spanish system (which has a good reputation apart from being old fashioned regarding the actual birth).  I am beginning to think otherwise now, the guy who done my amnio is my regular OB & he said he would get somebody to help him next Monday. I wasn´t given any information apart from what I got myself off the internet. I really dont feel comfortable about it all, never mind that it is costing a fortune!   I am going to visit my local Dr tomorrow & get transfered to my local state hospital which I presume are a lot more experienced in these procedures.  I am starting to think I might be better of going back to my home country for 6 months where i can understand everyting 100%, i do speak spanish but obviously it is not the same as conversing in your own language.  I was ready to go ahead with it on Monday but I have changed my mind, thank you for your advice

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
I have had 3 amnios myself--so I can sympathize.  My best recommendation to you:

If your husband insists that you have the procedure done, then you and  he need to arrange for a specialist to do it.  I had all my amnios done by a perinatologist (high risk Ob doctor). (I myself am a general OB and won't do an amnio if a perinatologist is available).
Perinatologists do these procedures almost daily and  they are experts at them.  They rarely "miss".

You do not sound comfortable with the procedure or the doctor, and I think you would be devastated if you lost the pregnancy due to an amnio complication, which is much more likely to occur in the hands of a non-specialist.  At 41 you don't have lots more years to try again, so hang on to this one, and don't take risks!

Good luck!

Dr B