Has anyone had an amnio?

LaciLeigh

We found out some news that could pontentially make us have an amnio done on our baby girl. If my ultrasound and bloodwork come back great next week then we won't, but if they come back with the news we don't want then we will elect to have the amnio to see if there are any genetic abnormalities with her.

I am very scared about this. The amnio #1 freaks me out just the process of it but most of all the chance of complications being 1 in 400 concerns me so much to make me hesitant. However if she has a certain abnormality we really need to know and I think they will need to take precedence over my fears.

So if you could tell me about the procedure and what you experienced and also would you do it again?

Thank you so much for your help and advice.

lilygirl

I haven't but I will say a prayer for you all.

I think KKMMex said she'd had two in the post below. You might page her to ask if she doesn't respond to the post. Hugs.

melissa0312

i had to have one. one of the screenings came back showing high risk for down's syndrome.

i was completely freaked. dr. kirson at houston perinatal did it and i would let him do it again in a heartbeat. he does several hundred a year, so he's extremely experienced, and it was relatively pain free. 

he did a level 2 ultrasound first. then did the amnio, which required a very large needle guided by an ultrasound (he used a monitor). he told me when to breathe and before i knew it was over.

((hugs))

KKMMex

I've had two amnios and both were without any complications.  Both were done at a UTHSC clinic in the Med Center.  I thought the docs that did the procedures were awesome, but the wait time at that particular clinic was pretty bad - I think DH and I had to wait over an hour each time.

We were seen by a genetics counselor at the clinic.  She also called us back within two weeks when our results came in.

The procedure itself is a bit creepy and uncomfortable, but it's super quick.  I'd say it took less than a minute both times.  I had some cramping afterwards but nothing worse than that.

They do a detailed u/s beforehand and also during the procedure.  We were told our baby's gender during the u/s and it turned out to be accurate, per the amnio results.

My NT scan and bloodwork results came back with a 1 in 65 risk for Down Syndrome, which is why we decided to have an amnio.  I think my age probably skewed the screening results.  During my second pregnancy I bypassed the screenings entirely and just went straight to amnio. 

I'm sorry you may have to consider having more invasive testing.  When we were considering amnio, I found this site really helpful:

https://www.amniocentesis.org/our.mission.html

We bought the detailed report and reading it did ease my mind about the risks involved.  I wish I still had my copy!  If you have more questions you can email me at    kkirklandmartin at hotmail dot com.

 

 

almond1123

we had one done at Houston Perinatal Associates with Dr Kirshon.  He and his nurse were very comforting and reassuring.  They know the fears moms come in there with. 

The room was really large and calming with large screen TV's of course so he could see what was happening but also for us to see.

I asked a lot of questions and they were all answered.  Then the procedure.  It was done before I knew it.  I think I actually said, "that was it?"

DH made sure that I followed the rest and no lifting instructions to a T that weekend and I was back to work like normal the next Monday.  Had it on a Friday.

I hope you get good news and you don't have to do it.  If you do however have one, don't stress yourself too much.  I think the stress I put on myself was 10x worse than the procedure.

LaciLeigh

Thank you all so much for the responses

 

I have one more question, did you get put on any kind of restrictions the rest of the pregnancy after the amnio? Pelvic rest? Travel restrictions?

melissa0312

LaciLeigh:

Thank you all so much for the responses

 

I have one more question, did you get put on any kind of restrictions the rest of the pregnancy after the amnio? Pelvic rest? Travel restrictions?

there was an order for 24 hours of bedrest afterwards. i didn't adhere to it completely but taught from a rolling chair the next day and was fine. my amnio results were clear, but it didn't affect any restrictions. my second tri was the only part of my pregnancy that i wasn't considered high risk. 

KKMMex

LaciLeigh:

I have one more question, did you get put on any kind of restrictions the rest of the pregnancy after the amnio? Pelvic rest? Travel restrictions?

Just rested for one day immediately afterwards.  I did not have a high risk pregnancy.  I was considered advanced maternal age for both pregnancies but I was never placed on any restrictions.