Who is getting or has had an amnio?

[Suzie0224]

Since this is a 35+ forum, I am sure many of you have been advised to get an amnio.  Who has had one and why?  So far my blood test and genetic early screening has all come back excellent.  Normally, a woman who is 35 has a 1:240 chance of downs and my chances (at 35) are 1:3500.  Better than if i was a healthy 22 year old.  Same for Trisomy 13/18. 1: 400 for our age and my chances with test results are 1:8000+.  There doesn't seem to be a reason for an amnio.  I know there are other things they can find but my husband and I wouldn't terminate anyway.  Seems like unnecessary risk.  The dr. said that I have the perfect situation for an amnio - I am petite, the baby is up on the front, no fibroids and the placenta is on the backside.  
Is it worth it?
I am too scared to take the risk

[Suzie0224]

Thank you - I was just trying to find out if there is any "good" reason to get the amnio after such great numbers.  From the beginning I have been against an amnio.  My high risk ob appt. is to day with the level 3 u/s. I am hoping he agrees with me and doesn't push for an amnio.
Thanks again for the input...
Suz

[IsabelleCanada]

My bloodwork came back at 1/954 for trisomy 21 and 1/1030 for trisomy 18... the 1st result is considered "intermediate risk" and the 2nd one "low risk"... I went back for a 2nd blood test to see what's up with my trisomy 21 result...

I've been told that the NT test is as reliable especially when it's done by an experienced and consciencous technician... that's the issue with this test: it's technician-dependant so unless you know how good and how many years the tech has been at it, you can't be sure of his/her verdict...

your odds are 10 times better than mine and I would absolutely not get an amnio in your situation (I'm not getting one as of now)... my ob is also pushing for the amnio... but I can't wrap my mind around such an invasive procedure... it creaps me out

[cure65roses]

I wouldn't do the amnio unless your NT and bloodwork comes back that you are at a medium to high risk for downs, trisomy, etc.   But that's just me.  

[dainsey]

With my daughter I declined it because my NT scan at 12 weeks and level 2 ultrasound at 19 weeks came back great.  I'm 6 weeks pregnant with #2 and if eveything continues to progress then I will do the NT and Level 2 again and if that turns out good again, I will decline the amino on this pregnancy as well.  I'm too scared of having a miscarriage because of it and I'm 39 and will be 40 at delivery so I would be devastated if I even lost a pregnancy due to that test.  

[mtbakerboarder]

I am getting the "NT Scan" instead of amnio or cvs.  I just don't want to take the risk of miscarriage.  I am 11 weeks today and my NT scan is in one week.  It is a non-invasive test where they measure the neck of the baby and then take your blood and your hubby's blood to analyze.  I am just hoping the results of both come back fine.  I am 38 and this is my first pregnancy.  I am very excited!!!!

[kmgr32]

I did have an amnio with my DD.  I was 37 at the time. From what I remember we had a slightly higher risk of downs than the average but it wasn't huge. We wouldn't have terminated but I felt that my worry over the "what ifs" was more damaging than the test.  I was scared to death to get it and although it wasn't a pleasant experience it wasn't overly painful.  It was, on the other hand, very emotional in that I felt that I was putting the baby at risk.  All turned out fine, the baby was/is healthy and I stopped worrying.  Your numbers look really good.  Only you can decide but if it were me in your shoes, I think I'd pass.  Good luck and keep us posted.
Kara

[ldivecch5]

My test results came back as 1:1100 for Downs and I'm 39 y/o.  My other tests came back really good also and my doctor recommended that no other tests were needed.  I wasn't going to get the amnio done anyway.
Good Luck!

[IsabelleCanada]

we're scheduled to get one on january 19th but I'm dreading it... I'm scared that I will have a miscarriage as a result... I'm 37 but will be 38 at the time of delivery...

we also did a Nuchal trans and it measured fine, well withing the normal range. I'm still waiting for the bloodwork results...

i'm still debating on weather or not I will get the darn amnio. Most of my firends had it because here in quebec, 90% of women over 35 get it. But the reality is that women here almost always terminate an abnormal pregnancy. It's just the way this culture works. I have a friend with a very handicapped son and I have to say that her life is hell. I would most certainly terminate if the amnio came back woth Trisomy. That's just something that doesn't carry shame here, unlike in the US where it is seen as a terrible act ect... in the end, I think many american women would terminate if there was no so much shame and stigma attached to it... some of them do it in secrecy and that's a rough thing to go through without support!

anyways, follow you heart but as my obgyn says, there is absolutely no reason to get an amnio if you don't plan to terminate. No reason at all.

good luck!

[tbeards]

I declined the amnio with both of my pregnancies. I was the same as you with my 1st pregnancy as my test results and level 2 ultrasound showed a 1:4200 chance of downs and about the same odds for anything else. With this twin pregnancy the quad screen isn't accurate so we just had a level 2. I didn't want to risk both babies with an amnio and my main concern was if I or the babies would have different care if a diagnosis was given and my OB said basically no so we chose not to have an amnio in either case. I also know someone who lost their baby after an amnio and the risk to me just wasn't worth it because we wouldn't have terminated either. My doctor does recommend them for a single pregnancy though if the risks of the amnio are lower than the risks of any problems.

[7preg3b]

I lost my baby after an amnio.  although they say the amnio was not the cause I;ll never be sure.  no risk is worth it, especially if you would not terminate

[SoCalTricia]

I'm leaning toward getting the CVS test, myself. I'm nervous about it, though. However, if I had your screenings, and was your age (you're 35, right?), I'd probably choose to forego the testing.

[PamelaBee]

From what you've said, and if it were me, I would pass.  It sounds like you're in favor of not having one as well. Your stats and everything else look great.  I can understand how difficult the decision is to have an amnio or not.  It's such a personal choice.  Best of luck to you!!