BTDT moms: Anyone have the amnio? Is it dangerous or not really?

NovemberSue Posted: Oct 14, 2003 12:10 PM

BTDT moms: Anyone have the amnio? Is it dangerous or not really?

I am just wondering because I haven't read much about it. Is it pretty safe or not? I also know there is a blood test they do but that is often inaccurate and has to be taken again.
What are your thoughts on this please?

NuBride Posted: Oct 14, 2003 12:29 PM

Re: BTDT moms: Anyone have the amnio? Is it dangerous or not really?

I've had the amnio and I'd do it again. It's not like you see in the illustrations in the book where you see the needle and the fetus is right next to it. The fetus is NO where near it. I had the amnio done for emergency reasons but would choose to do it again.

The worst part about the amnio is when the needle breaks skin, otherwise I wasn't in any excruciating pain.

It is the most accurate of all tests, I had the preliminary test the AFP I believe and that test came out fine, but the amnio is the tests of all tests...good luck in whatever you decide.

NovemberSue Posted: Oct 14, 2003 12:32 PM

Re: BTDT moms: Anyone have the amnio? Is it dangerous or not really?

Do you know how safe it is?

NuBride Posted: Oct 14, 2003 12:38 PM

Re: BTDT moms: Anyone have the amnio? Is it dangerous or not really?

Sue you are always going to hear horror stories and success stories about EVERY medical procedure, they all come with risks....giving birth in general comes with a risk. It's a personal decision and I believe that they are as safe as they possibly can be, but again nothing is guaranteed.

NovemberSue Posted: Oct 14, 2003 12:46 PM

Re: BTDT moms: Anyone have the amnio? Is it dangerous or not really?

Thank you.

Elizabeth Posted: Oct 14, 2003 12:57 PM

Re: BTDT moms: Anyone have the amnio? Is it dangerous or not really?

I believe there is a 0.5% chance of miscarrying as a result of the amnio. When I weighed the pros and cons, I decided the get it done and all went fine. Talk to your OB about it, they should give tyou some literature on it as well. As for the procedure - it was not bad at all, I think the hype is what gets everyone afraid.

HTH

NovemberSue Posted: Oct 14, 2003 12:59 PM

Re: BTDT moms: Anyone have the amnio? Is it dangerous or not really?

Thank you.

michele31 Posted: Oct 14, 2003 01:44 PM

Re: BTDT moms: Anyone have the amnio? Is it dangerous or not really?

Sue- Are the doctors suggesting one for you?My feeling is and always has been that if you are not comfortable with the idea and do not NEED the test then you can opt out. Another option might be to have the simple blood test first and the amnio if they deem it necessary.

NovemberSue Posted: Oct 14, 2003 01:49 PM

Re: BTDT moms: Anyone have the amnio? Is it dangerous or not really?

The dr mentioned all these tests when I first went to get my prenatals. As I get further along, I am sure they will talk about it more and suggest it because of my age. If you aren't twenty years old, they think of you as a higher risk.

Kaycee0921 Posted: Oct 14, 2003 02:00 PM

Re: BTDT moms: Anyone have the amnio? Is it dangerous or not really?

I chose to have the amnio (actually 2, as the twins were in separate placentas) for my own peace of mind, based on the fact I would be 35 right when I was due. It was not fun. (Honestly, the first needle wasn't so bad, but halfway through the second I started to feel very uncomfortable -- a sort of strange feeling I can't describe.)

I read everything I could, asked my dr. a million questions ( he told me it was my choice) and decided I would want to be prepared in the event of any abnormality.

You need to feel comfortable with your choices, based on the advice of your doctors -- as Michele said, you can opt out of almost anything.

HTH

phyl Posted: Oct 14, 2003 02:08 PM

Re: BTDT moms: Anyone have the amnio? Is it dangerous or not really?

I had just turned 35 when we became preg...so I was ticked off that just 'cause I was 35 for a few months that they thought I needed this test.

Rob & I did a LOT of on line research...a lot of reading. Your DR should be able to provide un biased information.
When I went in for the appt, the nurses automatically thought I was going to say ok..and that ticked me off too...I told them I still had ?s for the dr, etc. Rob and I sat with him, asked away, mostly what were my risks of delivery a baby with w./defects VERSUS the % of miscarriages at my age DUE TO THE Test...that plus a lot of other personal reasons...had me sway to take the test.

With that said, I asked a lot of women about it..mostly ranged from- I didnt feel anything to iwas uncomfortable and crampy afterward...so if you ask 5 people be prepared to get 10 diff answers

in my case, altho they had a screen set up to view the procedure, due to the angle of the table, I could not view anything. I held RObs hand through it all ( practicaly cut off his circulation! )...and it WAS painful ...again FOR ME. I was not uncomfortable...I was in pain....and was very happy it was over...

again..please do your OWN research before you decide...

yabbobay Posted: Oct 14, 2003 02:50 PM

Re: BTDT moms: Anyone have the amnio? Is it dangerous or not really?

phyl....I have a friend who was due 1 DAY after her 35th b-day and they put her into the 35+ group...and the baby was born early...

JustJodi Posted: Oct 14, 2003 03:09 PM

Re: BTDT moms: Anyone have the amnio? Is it dangerous or not really?

From what I beleive sue, the amnio is good to have if you are 35+.
There is sopposed to be a 1% chance of MC with it.
The AFP test that you are talking about is the blood test they give you to test for basically the same thing.. there is a High % of false Positives.. but a false negative is correct.
From what I understand if you took the blood test and it came back positive, they would want to give you the amnio.
My aFp test came back Negative so there was no need for it, plus im under 35.

another thing to consider is to make sure WANT to know before any of these tests the outcome.
Would you even think about terminating a pregnancy if results came back positive?
Would it just be something you would like to know ahead of time?
I was torn about wanting to god forbid hear bad news and how it would affect the rest of my pregnancy, knowing I could never terminate. What good would it do me to worry all those months? Then again, could I be more prepared mentally if I were to know..

bridget&jimmy Posted: Oct 14, 2003 03:38 PM

Re: BTDT moms: Anyone have the amnio? Is it dangerous or not really?

My sister found out her child had a birth defect through the amino and in the end she wished she would have waited to find out when she had the baby as to enjoy her pregnancy more.

Bridget

NovemberSue Posted: Oct 14, 2003 04:06 PM

Re: BTDT moms: Anyone have the amnio? Is it dangerous or not really?

Thank you everyone for your responses. I turned 35 last month and will be 35 when the baby is born so thats why they suggested I get the amnio and the other test.
My husband and I will talk to the dr to see what they say and figure out what we want to do.

jennbaby Posted: Oct 14, 2003 06:02 PM

Re: BTDT moms: Anyone have the amnio? Is it dangerous or not really?

I guess I will have this also (I am 34)

AtticaQT Posted: Oct 14, 2003 08:10 PM

Re: BTDT moms: Anyone have the amnio? Is it dangerous or not really?

There is a new prenatal screening test that can be done in teh first trimester but it is similar to the second trimester test - just need a blood sample -

Here is the link of the company that created the test -
http://www.ntdlabs.com/