Amnio or no amnio? WWYD? Need advice.

momatheart

I was called into my Dr.'s office yesterday.  To my surprise she called me in because my NT blood test results came back showing a high risk for Trisomy.  I had no idea what that even was.  I left scared and crying.  She was able to get me in immediately to see the best high risk Dr. in our city.  I had seen him before to do some genetic counseling after our first loss.  I had two ultrasounds while there.  He only saw one thing that alarmed him for Spina Bifida not Trisomy but said it way to soon to presume this could be a problem.  He made an appointment for us to have an Amnio done on Tuesday. I am going back and forth on what to do.  I am worried about the miscarriage rate for an Amnio.  The high risk Dr. said the risk for miscarriage was 1 in 200.  He said his ratio was 1 in 400.  That made me feel better.  I know he has done tons of these and is very experienced.  Does anyone have any experience to share or words of wisdom.  I know everyone's situation is different but with this disease the baby most likely won't make it to birth or will die shortly after.  So I definitely want to know what is going on and am not sure I can wait another 3 weeks to hopefully see something on an ultrasound.  Thanks for your responses in advance.  I am very upset.  

kbrodie06

I had an amnio with my first and did bedrest for the 24hours and it was no problem. My daughter is almost 2

danasport

I had an amnio and it really it was so beyond easy.  I didn't feel anything and the nurses and doctor that did it were AMAZING.  I liked  that the results weren't just a guess or odds or whatever, too.  Really helped me enjoy the rest of my pregnancy.

 I can't imagine what you are going through and I hope it all works out for you. 

ginleigh

Well, for one - there are different kinds of trisomy...downs is trisomy 21, and those babies don't automatically die.  And, if what they saw is actually spina bifida...those babies don't just die either (my baby has spina bifida, and we actually have a very good prognosis, considering). We found out about the spina bifida from blood work/ultrasounds but we did an amnio to rule out other chromosome issues...because some chromosome issues AND spina bifida can ultimately mean unlikely survival.  

The amnio was no fun, but it was not as bad as I worked myself up to expect.  I had some cramping during and after, rested for two days and was back to normal.  We found out there was no chromosome issue to go with the spina bifida, which eased our minds greatly.  For us, the knowing was worth the risk.  

So, you really have to weigh...do you need the info to plan what you will do (terminate or not) now, or to plan (as we wanted to) care for the babies birth...or do you just feel comfortable knowing what can be seen on ultrasound and waiting it out? Does the need to know outweigh the risk or not?

Mrs.Wes2

Completely a personal decision, but I would do the amnio.  You have already suffered so much, and the thought of you having to wait another 3 weeks and deal with that anxiety would be too much.  The ratio is quite low, and honestly it sounds like the MFM seems pretty confident.  GL to you in whatever you decide. {{{HUGS}}}

JillAly

My doctor said to me that the rate was 1 in 400 for amnio BUT that includes the entire country.  It includes so-so doctors who rarely perform it.  It includes doctors in smaller areas that don't always have the best equpment.  It includes doctors who are unqualified to do the procedure.  If you go to a high risk doctor who performs them routinely and has excellent credentials and excellent skills, the risk is WAAAY lower.  I checked out my doctor who did my amnio and in thousands of anmios, he never had a problem.  So don't go just by the statistics- look at your individual doctor and make the decision based on that.