For those who had the amnio......(still trying to make a decision)

NovemberSue Posted: Oct 23, 2003 08:32 AM

For those who had the amnio......(still trying to make a decision)

....how was it? One friend told me that the anticipation of the test was actually worse than the test itself.

phyl Posted: Oct 23, 2003 09:09 AM

Re: For those who had the amnio......(still trying to make a decision)

hi there-
I 'had' to have the amino because I was 4 months into my 35th bday. Actually, I didnt have to have it...but I believe that the APf test has more false positives then u have to take the amino anyway....

we had 2 issues when researching this...one being did I really want to know if our baby was going to have birth defects? for me, in the end, the answer was yes- so I could deal with the emotions while preparing for her. This way I could read up on it, line up whatever services I may need, etc. other factor I cant go into..

didnt make up my mind until 2 min before they did the procedure. I was very worried about the possibility of having a miscarriage due to the test.
we were told by the dr that the rate of miscarriage due to the test was lower than the % that I could have a baby w. special needs. (he told us the actual %)

in the end, rob's words 'phyl, there is no blame to assign to anyone whatever your choice is'...is what clinched it for me. we did it. I held robs hand the whole time (almost cut off his circulation)...it was a painful process for me. For me- it actually HURT.
I have heard from other moms that it didnt bother them at all....

hth

NovemberSue Posted: Oct 23, 2003 09:14 AM

Re: For those who had the amnio......(still trying to make a decision)

Thanks. I've been trying to talk to different people to see what they know about this test since I am not that familiar. A friend of mine told me that it wasn't that bad. The thought of the test was worse than the test itself.
I also wonder if I would be making it more difficult on us through the rest of the pregnancy if we found out something was wrong or if it would help us prepare.
I am going to ask the dr's office who performs the test (is it a specialist or the regular dr) & if its covered by insurance.

MichelleW Posted: Oct 23, 2003 11:38 AM

Re: For those who had the amnio......(still trying to make a decision)

Sue,

I would say it is defintely a personal choice. That being said when my time finally comes I will have the amnio.

jenny11.9 Posted: Oct 23, 2003 01:20 PM

Re: For those who had the amnio......(still trying to make a decision)

sue my sister said it was a piece of cake! It didnt' even hurt a little bit!!!

Elizabeth Posted: Oct 23, 2003 08:34 PM

Re: For those who had the amnio......(still trying to make a decision)

IMO, the hype is definitely worse than the test but Michelle is right, its a personal choice. Any question you ask, especially with pregnancy and childbirth related topics, if you ask enough people, you will get alot of different answers.

Have you discussed your concerns with your OB?

jlf41 Posted: Oct 23, 2003 08:56 PM

Re: For those who had the amnio......(still trying to make a decision)

One thing to consider with having the amnio is how you feel about being prepared for a baby with special needs - and also how it might help the baby and his doctors if they knew ahead of time that he may need special tests, attention or whatever at birth. If you knew for example, that the baby had some spinal cord defect, you could find and meet pediatric surgeons before the baby was born to learn what the options are.