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06.21.08, 04:59 AM Expecting
53 replies
I am 37 and expecting my 1st child in November. I had a Nuchal Translucency (1st trimester) screening, some ultrasounds, and more recent a quad screen -- all of which show normal results. Even with the excellent results my OB/GYN says that amnio is strongly recommended anyway. Needless to say, I am very nervous about M/Cing a healthy baby. Can anyone share their experiences with amniocentesis? Any advice? Does the sac heal up or is there a hole forever from the needle? I am quite confused as you can tell. Help! [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
Expecting 06.21.08, 04:59 AM Flag
 

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Hi, I've walked in your shoes. I had anmio with my first (at 36) and I was on the bad end of stats and lost the baby. I refused with my second at 39 and did all of the things you were doing. The numbers given me were fantastic - and I was satisfied not to do amnio. But, my doc accepted the results and wasn't worried about downs at all. I usually tell people that first they need to think about what they would do if they found out their baby had downs (which is really what you are looking for - I know there are a couple of other things, but...). Funny thing is, I would have aborted a downs baby - but due to first experience and non invasive test results (which are incredibly accurate). I refused. Its hard. I wish I could tell you what to do- but this is the first of many gut wrenching decisions you will have to make as a mom. Go with gut. God gives you a mommy instinct - most of the time its right. All the best to you. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 05:16 AM Flag
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I agree with the poster above, that you should think about what you would do with bad results. I've done an amnio and a cvs test (similar, done at 11 weeks) because I know I would terminate. if you would not, and your other numbers are good, you might want to skip it. My dr. has done thousands of amnios, her miscarriage rate is very, very low--I felt safe doing it with her. Dr. experience is important too [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 05:27 AM Flag
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np: not all ppl who have the amnio will abort BUT some of us want to know if there is an issue to prepare and edcuate ourselves [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 06:36 AM Flag
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indeed. did the cvs totally unsure of what I would do, but needed the info anyway. I would do it again. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.24.08, 04:31 PM Flag
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was your 2nd doc the same one who gave you the first amnio? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.24.08, 05:07 PM Flag
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oh, and the hole from the needle closes up. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 05:17 AM Flag
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Doctors go by statistics and covering themselves. My doctor insisted that I NOT have an amnio (long story) but I went to a very, very well renown radiologist for my 20 week ultrasound (it was called a genetic u/s) because there's so much they can tell from an u/s (like width of nasal bone, relative length of limbs and chance of genetic abnormality). If you don't want the amnio, I would discuss this. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 05:22 AM Flag
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With my first (age 36), our NT results were horrible (1/89 for downs), so we had the amnio -- it was fine, more painful than I was led to believe, but over quickly). This time (37), the nuchal and quad results were stellar, so we declined the amnio. My doctor did a little q + a to make sure we understood the results (and probably so that we knew that we could still have an amnio if we wanted). I felt no need for further invasive testing, really. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 05:24 AM Flag
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Amnio started out as uncommon, then became the thing to do and everyone did it, I beleive it will receed now that they have quad screen/ultrasound. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 05:27 AM Flag
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I would say if your 20 wl ultrasound is good, you don't need it. I had the same fears- good nuchal results and afraid to death of miscarriage with amnio b/c I had infertility problems did not want to risk it. I delayed the amnio until the 20 weel ultrasound. The ultrasound indicated 2 soft markers for downs. So, I had the amnio. All was fine and dc starting K this fall. GL [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 05:48 AM Flag
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I'm 40 yr old and pg with my 3rd. I had 2 amnios..this pg and the previous one. If you go to a Dr with lots of experience the chances are so minimal. I never ever thought twice..since all of those other test aren't 100%. I wanted to know for sure. I knew a mom who had the nuchal, OB rec. the amnio and she said no. Her dc was born with downsyndrome. Not saying this is going to happen but it's possible and the nuchal didn't pick it up even though the results were good [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 06:33 AM Flag
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^^btw I had DR. SALTZMAN on the UES do mine (Gramercy Women's Radiology) and he was wonderful. This time didn't hurt like my first with another Dr. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 06:35 AM Flag
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I had my children at 34 and 37. The younger was pre-nuchal test (not yet i use) and I still didn't bother with an amnio even thought he doctor would have apporved for insurance purposes. If you feel nervous, don't do it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 06:45 AM Flag
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I would definitely have it, especially if you would consider aborting if there is a significant problem. Had my first at 36 and had an amnio with a very experienced doctor--rates of m/c are much lower now than when the statistics first came out and it puts the mind at rest. I've never heard of anyone personally who lost the baby through amnio--for what it's worth. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 06:50 AM Flag
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Except for one of the posters above. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 07:05 AM Flag
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Obviously it is a personal decision, however I had amnio with both pregs 38 and 41, and was happy I did it. I didn't realy relax and enjoy the pregnancys until I knew the fetuses were healthy. There is no scar/hole. Ther is a little pain but if you are afraid of that you might have issues with the whole giving birth thing. You want to find the best MD you can to do it as that will greatly reduce the chances of miscarriage. Good luck to you :) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 09:00 AM Flag
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get a cvs. that way you can terminate sooner. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 09:28 AM Flag
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I Was you last year!! My ob/gyn was pushing it, but I declined. The risk was just too high for m/c for me. Plus I knew we wouldn't terminate a down's baby. GL - it's a big decision. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 09:55 AM Flag
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it was fine. go to an experienced dr to have it done. rest and dont do anything strenuous. drink plenty of liquids. you have to figure out if you want the amnio results and what you want to do with the information. having an amnio does not mean that you automatically terminate. we chose to have the amnio b/c we wanted to know ahead of time if we needed to plan. no surprises at delivery . my friend opted not to have the amnio b/c she was adamant against termination. good luck. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 10:55 AM Flag
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Thank you all for the positive feedback. (This is the original poster writing back.) I would terminate the pregnancy if the quality of life would be so poor for the baby, so I guess that the amnio is the way to go. My doc performs these about 2x/week on average, so I feel okay using her. Thanks again for the comments. The more the merrier, so please keep writing in!!!!!! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 01:21 PM Flag
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Hi. I had an amnio when I was pregnant with my first (at 36) and everything went fine. I was recently pregnant again and 4 days after the amnio my little baby girl died. The doctors couldn't tell me what happened. The amnio results came back normal. I would re-think an amnio the 3rd time. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.24.08, 09:05 AM Flag
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I had an amnio with my first pregnancy, everything went fine. I was recently pregnant again and a few days after the amnio my little baby girl died. The doctors don't think it was the amnio that did it but the timing seemed to indicate that it was. The amnio results came back normal. I would think twice about another amnio. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.24.08, 09:08 AM Flag
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NP: I am very sorry for your loss. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.25.08, 06:41 AM Flag
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I had a normal nuchal but decided to get an amnio anyway because I was 39. My (ex)OB was on the fence, but we went ahead anyway. It turned out the baby had another chromosomal abnormality - Klinefelter's syndrome (47-XXY), which meant the baby could have severe mental retardation, among other things (including guaranteed sterility). We decided to terminate the pregnancy. It was an agonizing horrible decision but the right one for us. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.23.08, 02:17 PM Flag
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I just went to a genetic counselor and she said sex chromosome abnormalities (including Klinefelter's) do not lead to mental retardation. Sterility, yes, but not retardation. Did I get misinformation or did I misunderstand? I took copious notes and thought I listened well... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.23.08, 03:17 PM Flag
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I never heard of this abnormality until this posting. Does anyone have any more info? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 10:20 AM Flag
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Also called: XXY male Klinefelter's syndrome is a condition that occurs in men who have an extra X chromosome in most of their cells. The syndrome can affect different stages of physical, language and social development. The most common symptom is infertility. Because they often don't make as much of the male hormone testosterone as other boys, teenagers with Klinefelter's syndrome may have less facial and body hair and may be less muscular than other boys. They may have trouble using language to express themselves. They may be shy and have trouble fitting in. It is important to start treatment as early as possible. With treatment, most boys grow up to have normal sex lives, successful careers and normal social relationships. Treatments include Educational services Physical, speech and occupational therapy Medical treatments including testosterone replacement [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 10:24 AM Flag
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You recieved good information (Dh has cousin with KF). OR killed a baby. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.07.08, 01:35 PM Flag
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np: one with a chromosomal problem. maybe she struggled with infertility and didn't want to bring a sterile child into the world. Who knows. Try some empathy. and lay off. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.24.08, 02:42 PM Flag
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This was VERY helpful... in fact, the most helpful post that I have gotten so far. You've made me realize that all of these screenings have their limitations, but amnio is as close as you can get to "definite". It seems that I, like you, need this confirmation to relax during the pregnancy or... have the information to let go, should it come to that. Thank you for your post. Please write back if you have more to tell. I am all ears. (Or is it eyes?) LOL [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 10:19 AM Flag
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nuchal and triple/quad screens are SCREENINGs. CVS and Amnio are DIAGNOSTIC. Huge difference. Keep in mind there is significant margin of error with screenings....they only detect chromosomal abnormalities at a sensitivity rate of 85-90%...CVS and Amnio, 99.99%...GL [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.24.08, 02:35 PM Flag
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So, e.g., even if your "odds" are good, there is only an 85-90% chance that those are in fact your odds. 10-15% of the time, chromosomal problems are not detected with screenings, resulting in either later mc or birth of children with chromosomal problems (of which Downs is only once, there are many sex linked ones that people don't discover they have until adolescence or adulthood)... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.24.08, 02:41 PM Flag
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You only need an amnio if the chances for a genetic defect are really high or you cannot rest until you know for sure that there won't be any known defects. That said OB/GYNs love to push you to get one because this will make it easier for them at the time of giving birth. If you talk to a geneticist he will show you a graph and most likely tell you that the age cut off of 35 that OB/GYNs love to use is entirely arbitrary and has nothing to do with logic or what not. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 10:35 AM Flag
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Actually, the number is 35 because that is the approximate age when the diagnosis for a genetic condition approximates the chance of miscarriage on an amnio. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.07.08, 04:04 AM Flag
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eh, no. That is not true. I saw the numbers. My geneticists explained it to me. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.07.08, 06:13 AM Flag
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np: This is EXACTLY true. At age 35, the rate of mc from Amnio (approx 1/200) is equivalent to the rick of having a child with a chromosomal defect (approx 1/200). This is why 35 is the "magic number"... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.24.08, 02:36 PM Flag
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35 was chosen because at the time, it represented the 5% of the pregnant population at highest risk (30+ yrs ago, 5% of the population was over 35). Nowdays it is more like 20% of the pregnant population is over 35 (and th e cutoff should probably be moved). The risk for miscarriage is not the deciding factor. Also, new studies show that the risk for miscarriage after amnio is more like 1:1600 (results from the FASTER trial). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.24.08, 04:46 PM Flag
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np: That's the risk they quote at St. Lukes, that doesn't mean it is THE risk (at Columbia they quote 1/300). And you are wrong about why 35 is the age. It is the mc risk/chromosomal problem risk equivalency issue. Ask any genetic counselor... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.24.08, 04:58 PM Flag
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I AM a genetic counselor. The risk for Down syndrome at age 35 at the time of amniocentesis is 1:270, the risk for any chromosome abnormality is 1:35. If you were to choose the point where the risk for miscarriage is first smaller than the risk for chromosome abnormalities, the cutoff would be lower. 5% was considered an acceptable screen positive rate. 35 was the 5% mark. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.24.08, 05:41 PM Flag
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If you are a genetic counselor, I can't understand why you are quoting inaccurate data that the risk of any chromosomal abnormality is 1/35 at age 35. That's not accurate. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.25.08, 05:48 AM Flag
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NP: I was 37 when pg with #2 and decided to have amnio after pretty good nuchal results (1/837 risk of Downs). My OB did not push at all, and in fact I detected a slight bias from her against me having the amnio. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.07.08, 05:58 AM Flag
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I was 37 when I had my first and I had an amnio because my nuchal results were 1/33 for Down's. I was planning on having one regardless. It was not the most pleasant experience but you do get to see a lot of the baby on the sonogram at the amnio and you can find out the gender earlier than you would have otherwise if you want. One of the doctors at Cornell who routinely does amnios did mine. That is the MOST IMPORTANT THING -- if you go ahead and decide to have one, make sure you arrange it with a doctor that performs them all the time (your OB should be able to recommend someone and get you an appt), and find out what their stats are for miscarriage -- both the individual doctor and the hospital -- the genetic counselor should give this info to you prior to the amnio. I had mine in the morning, laid down and drank alot of water afterward, and by that afternoon, it was as if it hadn't happened. The discomfort is very, very temporary. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.07.08, 06:46 AM Flag
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I went to Dr. Margano at St.Vincent's he is very experienced so I felt comfortable [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.07.08, 07:16 AM Flag
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I went to Dr. M for both my pregnancies. That man is amazing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.07.08, 08:07 AM Flag
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I don't know what the numbers are at 37, but I had my second at 36 and my OB advised me not to do an amnio - we did nuchal, got excellent results, did the AFP and got excellent results on that, and skipped the amnio. I think that is the normal protocol now for 36 year olds. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.07.08, 01:27 PM Flag
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yes, I am 18 wks pg with my 3rd and I am 36 years old. My NT results were good so I am skipping amnio, unless 20 week ultrasound leaves some questions. The only thing that frightens me is that I really do want to know and I do think i woudl terminate a baby with downs. After 20 weeks, termination would be very difficult. I ahve two healthy dds and never did amnios with either. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.07.08, 01:48 PM Flag
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You don't have to do it. I just had #3 at 37yo (almost 38) and didn't. It all depends what you would do with the information from the amnio. Don't let your dr. pressure you. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.24.08, 05:26 PM Flag
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i was 37 when i had my first db, 39 with my second, and i had amnios both times--and both times it was a breeze. if there is any chance you would terminate for a genetic defect, have the amnio. my friend had good nuchal results and opted out of the amnio--she found out when she was 37wks pregnant that her db had downs. have the amnio--just make sure you do it with a very experienced OB. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.24.08, 06:07 PM Flag
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Please, go to a top ob/gyn. If you are w/a top ob/gyn, an amnio is nothing. the "risk" is an average, nationally. the best doctors in nyc are so ahead of this avg curve, the risk is negligible that I, who worried about almost everything, did not worry about this. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.24.08, 08:18 PM Flag
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please also keep in mind that normal results from an amnio or cvs are not a bill of clean health for the baby-- these tests pick up a handful of chromosomal problems, but there are a whole bunch of things that could still be wrong that will not show up until birth. Amnio and CVS only rule out about 1% of problems, every pregnancy has a 3 to 4% risk of some kind of birth defect. Having babies requires a huge leap of faith. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.24.08, 09:09 PM Flag
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When my first was born I was 28, and he turned out to have a real disability (which would not have shown on amnio anyway, and besides I am happy to have him!). When preg with second the doc REALLY pushed the amnio even though I was 33 and blood tests were good. He thought perhaps that with one kid (autism spectrum) I had my hands full and he needed to make sure the second did not have downs or anything like that which could be detected. I refused the amnio and baby #2 has been fantastic. He is a sweet and really brilliant kid. With the third I was over 35 and the blood test numbers were bad, but I only had the test done bc I was participating in a study. I planned the amnio anyway and only found out LATER that the blood test results were awful, something like 1 in 70 for downs. Baby 3 was fine, but the amnio was SCARY and if I had great numbers, or had it to do all over again, no way would I let the doc get anywhere near my belly with that huge needle. I do also know someone who lost a normal baby 2 weeks after an amnio. Supposedly the mc was not related to the amnio, but they "aren't sure" and again, it is one heck of a needle. So I would say, if you really, really want to avoid mc a normal child, and that is a significant worry to you, then that probably does outweigh the worry of a downs child after great (reassuring) test results. At 37 I think you are really quite fine skipping the amnio if you have good blood test results. Certainly you MIGHT then deliver a child with downs or something else they could have detected. But if the blood tests are indicating the risk is very low then probably the risk of mc a normal child IS higher than the chance of finding something meaningful on the amnio. Whatever you decide,GL. It is a very personal choice. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.24.08, 08:36 PM Flag
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awful. If I had to do it all over I would not get an amnio at 37 or 38 if the numbers on the blood test were good. It is a really invasive test and there is a REAL risk of mc a normal baby. I know someone who lost a normal pregnancy that way. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.24.08, 08:42 PM Flag
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Who keeps digging out these old posts? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.25.08, 07:18 AM Flag
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