To Amino ..or Not to Amnio...

[Diabolicafemmia]

so the time is quickly approaching for my decision ... would like a little input, please. what was/would be your choice and why?

[SoCalTricia]

You know, I ended up passing on the amnio, too. We got back our risk assessment from the 1st trimester screening, and our Down risk was 1:490, trisomy 18 was 1:2000 or something like that. The risk of m/c after amnio at my doctor's office is 1:300. So, we figured, if the risk of m/c was higher than the chances the baby has something wrong with him, we'd rather take our chances and not have the amnio. So far, everything continues to look good. I'm sure everything will turn out fine for you, too!

[Diabolicafemmia]

well..amino time has come and gone, and I chickened out. From the info I gathered, although the risk is not high, if things do go wrong there's a 99% chance you've lost a healthy baby. We've fought SO HARD to come this far, I just couldnt see chancing it. My Peri was uber cool and said he would do the same thing, going ahead w/ a quad and "anotomy detailed" u/s, if there seems to be any issues, he said we would do an amnio at 36w.
Thank you ladies for all the input

[SoCalTricia]

So far, my first trimester screening looks good, but we haven't gotten the blood work back so don't have the official risk assessment. Regardless, I'm seriously considering the amnio just to be POSITIVE. My perinatologist has an excellent record, so the miscarriage risk is fairly low. And, like Isabelle, I likely *would terminate if there were something wrong with this baby. As horrible as it would be, for ME it wouldn't be as life-altering as having a child with a serious problem. I will be the first to admit that I'm not that selfless, and I wouldn't put my *existing children through the life that having a "damaged" (for lack of a better word) sibling would create. For the rest of our lives, taking care of *that* child would be the focus of our world - and, quite frankly, I couldn't live like that. I do, however, greatly admire people who know that they would never terminate and are strong in their faith and beliefs. I'm just not one of them. So, as everyone else said, it's a very personal decision...good luck in whatever you decide!

Tricia

[IsabelleCanada]

Hi! It seems that you were offered the amnio simply on the basis of your age. I am 37, will be 38 at delievry and was given the same recommendation as you.

I went ahead and did the detailed U/S and nuchal trans at 12 weeks along with the triple blood test. The results were good and I went back for a second blood test. The results of that one were great: 1/2510 for Tri 21 and 1/3000 for Tri 18 so we thought about it and I decided against the amnio, just because it scares the heck out of me and that there is a 1/200 chance of miscarriage... do the math!

I'm still getting many U/S as I believe that I would terminate if the results indicated a major problem ( I know most people on this site don't believe in termination but it is a personal choice).

In the end, it's YOUR decision. Follow your heart.

[Renogirl]

Knowing that we were at high risk for several conditions - we still chose against the amnio.  I was 37 and my husband was 59.  Along with the normal risks for someone my age, I also have two nieces who were born with a rare genetic disease that is terminal.  The youngest of my two nieces only lived for nine days.  It is a personal choice that only you can make.  I chose against the test because I knew that regardless of the results, I would NOT terminate a pregnancy and those test results weren't going to make me love this baby any less or love her any less.  Plus, even though risks are very low, I wasn't willing to do anything that could endanger the baby or the pregnancy.    Whatever your decision is - I wish you only the best and a safe and happy pregnancy.

[7preg3b]

well..  It is a very personal choice,  I chose to have an amnio my last pregnancy and without warning my water broke at 18 weeks due to an unknown cause..  I have heard a lot of reasons,  yes it could of been the amnio,  yes I could of had an infection, all I know is I will never know.  I would not chance an amnio again..  I would never terminate so it really doesn;t matter..  I just wanted to be knowledgeable so if the baby was sick I could make good choice as to where to deliver..  I am trying again and I do blame myself..  I woudl not be able to blame myself if I had not had the amnio..  I will never know and my baby will never be with me here on earth he has his wings and I will always love him..  

[Diabolicafemmia]

I guess a little more info makes sense..I am a 38yo 3rd time mom (YAY!!!) but my first 2 are 19 and 17.... I had in vitro done for this pregnancy (I had my tubes tied after my youngest, thinking I was done) my RE is the BEST btw. Anyway, I had my first actual OB appt a  week ago and he asked if I would be doing one because of my age :( (I do appriciate the fact he used the words "old genes" hehehehe) anyway, Ive been thinking about it ..and if I did it for any reason I guess it would just to be mentally prepared??
thanks ladies! extra thoughts are ALWAYS helpful!

[juniper2487]

I had an amnio with my first pregnancy and everything turned out welll...but i decided on the amnio because my baby wasnt growing at the rate it was suppose to so the docter had alot of concern...this time around i am 37yrs old and have opted against the amnio...only because my blood work came back ok and my risks for a down sydrome or trisomy baby are smaller then the risk of a miscarrage from an amnio which i believe is 1 out of 200... i am also currently awaiting a level 2 ultrasound..on feb 12th..in which im hoping everhting is ok with that...good luck with your choice either way you decide..

[nylena]

All of these posts are correct,my perspective would be slightly different ...make sure yr obgyn has yr body under control-no infections,normal cervix etc.-plus chose the best perinatologist you can.Then if you 'd rather have it ,go on and have it.It will certainly save you a lot of stress..I lost my first baby BECAUSE of that amnio- performed by someone less experienced -and it was devastating.Thank god,I got pg again very quickly and now I have a beautiful baby-no amnio the second time,age 40!Good luck with anything you decide.

[adgal]

Like Pam said, this is a highly personal choice.  There is no right or wrong answer.  I know that I will have one.  I want to be prepared for any extra challenges that may arise, and although there is some risk, for me it feels extremely minimal.  To me, the benefit outweighs the risk.  I am a worrier by nature, and if I don't know for sure what is happening, I will sit and stress about it, which of course is not healthy either.  I can't imagine termination for me under any circumstances, so it's not about that, but I do need to know.  Good luck with your decision!!!

[PamelaBee]

I guess I'd need a little more information about your condition before I answered, like, what were your previous results from certain blood test/AFP/u/s's  to give you the indication you were at high risk.  Or are you inquiring just because of your age and the statistics of downs or other defects associated with Advanced Maternal Age?  The question, to have or not have an amnio comes up quite often on this forum.  Every woman is different and responds to their own personal feelings and choice.  If you are worried sick through this pregnancy and have anxiety whether your baby will be ok, by all means do the amnio for peace of mind.  If you are just concerned because of your age, and all other test results came back normal or do not pose a risk, than I would pass.  Very personal choice, that only you can make. I delivered my first child at 43, all my bloodwork and tests along the way came back fine, so I chose not to have any invasive tests, and I have a healthy beautiful 2yr old boy.  I am currently 45, and starting my 12th week of pregnancy, I am scheduled for the 1st trimester screening this week.  My husband and I have already decided we would not undergo any invasive tests with this pregnancy as well. I wish you much luck in whatever you choose!

[sasparilla]

I had an amnio on Thursday.  My Quad screen results came back with bad numbers for Trisomy 18, which is fatal in babies (VERY BAD numbers).   I am 17w6d as of today. We are scheduled for a deatiled Level II Ultrasound in 2 weeks, but I honestly couldn't wait that long.  Also, I have heard of many instances where the U/S showed no markers and the baby did have a problem.
I thought long and hard about it before having it done.  We went to a genetics counselor beforehand, then  a detailed U/S, and straight to the amnio.  It wasn't the worst thing in thw world, just pinchy and kinda crampy for about an hour after.
If you do to a good perinatologist with a lot of experience, your chance of miscarriage is very very low.  Mine had only 1 miscarriage in 17 years.

I also ordered FISH results which come back in just a few days.  Mine will be back on Monday.  I am really glad I had the amnio and am not "flying blind"

Good luck with whatever you decide.