For those of you who have had an Amnio

ailidespain

Does it hurt?

My Dr. wants me to have one at 37 weeks to check for lung maturity so they can do an early delivery because of prior placental abruption.

Having never had this before It makes me nervous. Any experiences you can share?

JenWen3

My mom had one 30 years ago. Her first baby had an untreatable genetic disease so for baby #2 they tried to test for it (came back inconclusive but my second sister and I are both fine). I've only recently talked to her more about the whole situation. She said it wasn't too awful, she was just more nervous about the results.

I would only want an amnio as a last resort. They're not always the safest procedures.

MissYouDietCoke

Yes, but it was more of a burning sensation that gradually built up.  It wasn't bad to start with, but after a few minutes it just got uncomfortable. 

 

Keep in mind, they'd just told me that our LO had a potentially awful defect, so I was a little emotionally charged at the time, and that may have had something to do with it. (They were wrong, btw) 

 

 

 

ailidespain

Ugh yeah I wish there was another option. At 37 weeks I would be considered full term  so not concerned about it inducing labor as that is the reason they are doing it anyway to assess lung maturity so they can induce.

AlliB101

I had one with my first pregnancy because DS1 had a heart defect and they were checking for chromosomal abnormalities, so it was around 20 weeks and under much different circumstances.  That being said, I don't remember it hurting, or at least not enough to get upset about. BUT I was very upset at the time, having just learned about his heart, and I think you probably could have hit me over the head with a hammer and I might not have noticed.  I think getting one at 37 weeks to check for lung maturity should be really no big deal, because you won't be worrying about it potentially causing miscarriage, and if it hurts a little it will be worth it for peace of mind that your LO is ready to breathe, IMO.

penguin-kisses

It's not so bad. Like PP said I had mine to test for Down's Syndrome after I was told LO was at an elevated risk for it, so I was wayyyy more nervous for the results than the procedure. It was just a tiny pinch and felt uncomfortable more than it hurt. It might make you contract a bit but at 37 weeks you should be alright if it throws you into labor.

poolgirl7901

I had one at 37 weeks 4 days for DS... lungs were ready, so he was born the next day.

I really don't remember it hurting at all.  If I remember correctly, they numb the skin, the whole thing takes a minute and they put a regular band aid over the hole (maybe with some gauze like when you get blood drawn).

They DID make me stick around to monitor the baby for an hour.  I had to lay on my left side on a table in the OB's office... I'm 5'9"... and those things are not very long.  That part was uncomfortable.

Best wishes! 

SNL0605

nope NOT one bit!

I didn't even know the doctor did it.  I didn't want to watch...and after a couple of minutes I said...sheesh are you going to do it or not? And he said "um, I am already done"

ailidespain

Thank you for all of the responses, I feel much more at ease about it now!

grace_smith03

No worries...the only thing you feel is pressure...then when the needle penetrates the ute, you feel mild cramping (like period cramping)...takes less than 5 minutes. I suggest you focus on the monitor, not the long-A$$ needle, tho...;p

GL!

ailidespain

grace_smith03:

No worries...the only thing you feel is pressure...then when the needle penetrates the ute, you feel mild cramping (like period cramping)...takes less than 5 minutes. I suggest you focus on the monitor, not the long-A$$ needle, tho...;p

GL!

Ugh I know the needle is so menacing!!!