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Anyone have an amnio?
I posted this on the Houston Babies board but I figured this board it more active so I thought I'd try here too.
So we had our NT scan last week and got the call on Monday that the blood test results showed ?Elevated Risk? for Down?s syndrome. We went to meet with my OB yesterday afternoon and he told us that there is a 1 in 90 chance that the baby has DS. At my age the risk should be more like 1 in 645.
Now we have to decide if we want to move forward with the Amnio or not. While the idea of knowing for sure makes me want to have it I fear possible complications and cannot seem to stop worrying.
Has anyone else had an amnio? What can you tell me about how you felt after? How did you decide whether or not to move forward?
I should add that no matter the results we plan to have the baby. At this point it will either be that we can stop worrying or we have the duration of the pregnancy to prepare for our life with a special needs child.
Re: Anyone have an amnio?
i had one with dd, but the tests for this pregnancy have all been fine so they didn't think it was necessary this time around.
i was showing high risk for down's as well and had one at 16 weeks with dd. we never did the 1st tri screening with dd, so when the 2nd tri caught it we were referred immediately for the amnio. (dr. kirshon at houston perinatal - love him!!!)
i was freaked out, but he's very good at them and does 500+ a year. he did a level 2 ultrasound and measured everything. it all looked good, but we went ahead and did the amnio anyway. it was pretty quick and painless. its done with an ultrasound and he coached me on when to breathe, etc.
if you do decide to get it, ask for the f.i.s.h. test as well. its a "rapid result" version of the amnio that comes back within 24 hours with a preliminary result. the amnio results took about a week.
(((hugs))) i know its scary. one thing we were reminded of is that the screenings don't test your baby - they test you. just because something came back abnormal doesn't mean anything for your baby.
We did the NT scan and had very high risk for Downs as well. I have the exact same experience as Melissa with Dr Kirshon. He and his staff are wonderful. It wasn't anything like I thought it would be (very little pain and quick.) We did the amnio because I wanted to be prepared.
Hugs and good luck. It's virtually impossible not to worry. Let us know if you have any questions.
Yeap. Never had a doubt I wouldn't do one either. I would have done it regardless of cause. We got so much information and I was pretty fascinated by the whole process.
Regardless of the outcome, you'll be able to prepare yourself mentally and any other ways necessary. The peace of mind I got from having this done is immeasurable.
BFF
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I've had 2 amnios.
With DD1 my NT screening results were 1 in 65 for Down Syndrome. We felt we needed a definitive test for peace of mind and also to prepare, if needed. Like others said, the procedure itself was quick and just a bit uncomfortable. A detailed u/s was done and we also received genetic counseling. We had both amnios done at the UT clinic in the Med Center.
With my second pregnancy I was 41 years old. I skipped the NT screening and went straight to amnio.
I have no regrets. This website was helpful to us when we were deciding whether or not to have the first amnio:
The Amniocentesis Report
That's "so" many. He really is great!
I had an amnio with my 2nd pregnancy. My screen results were all within normal range but I qualified for the amnio under AMA (I was 34 but would be 35 when baby was due). If it were just a matter of my age I wouldn't have had an amnio, but there was something "off" about the pregnancy from the beginning and based on that alone, I opted for the amnio. The test itself was easy, with minimal discomfort and no complications. We got the results back in a few days...thankfully, all looked good.
Now, at this point, it's important to note that my circumstances were different. Toward the middle of my pregnancy, my belly started measuring well beyond normal. We had more tests done including 2x/week ultrasounds and NSTs for the last 3-4 months. None of the tests showed any problems, other than the excess fluid. DD2 was born on her due date. Long story short, my sense that something had been "off" from the onset of the pregnancy turned out to be true. DD does have special needs (rare disorder not tested as part of amnio). At the time when we got the diagnosis, we were crushed; and while it wasn't really comforting at the time to hear that we're only given what we can endure, I look back and see just how true that is. That said, DD is amazing...I can't even express how fun and wonderful she is and how she lights up not only our lives but the lives of those around her. Sounds cliche, but so true. Also, I've become more aware of and educated on the challenges facing children with special needs and their families.
Ack, I've rambled a bit. Enough about us; back to you. I'm sorry you're going through the worry that this kind of result inevitably brings. Still, it's good to bear in mind that the test you had is just a screening based on *odds*, not on certainty. Many, many screening outcomes indicate an increased possibility for a certain outcome, but additional testing (i.e. amnio) will give more conclusive information. It's such a personal choice. Whatever you decide will be right for you.
Hugs