- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Natural Birth
LMMH09
member
Amniocentesis
LMMH09
member
I have talked about this here before but for a background I have placenta previa so am going to have to have a c-section at 37 weeks (unless it moves before then but at my last ultrasound it had actually gotten worse so it isn't looking promising.) So I am coming to terms with the c-section but yesterday the Dr told me that they would do an Amniocentesis the day before to make sure he was fully developed before they did they c-section. I know amnios can be dangerous so I asked her about it and she said the rick factors are a lot less the later you are in your pregnancy but they will moniter me and deliver the baby if anything happens. My question is, since the 37 week mark is the safe mark anyway and a lot of women go into labor after that, is an amnio really necessary? Do any of you have experience in this? I know the natural birth board might not be the best place to ask this but I trust you all the most. TIA for any info.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Amniocentesis
I had an amnio w/ ds #1 at 37 weeks. First, it was WAAAAAAAAAAAY easier than I expected...honestly I didn't eve feel it.
Second, as for the necessity of it...the new rules/laws state that any induction or c/s before 39 weeks has to have just cause...and a lot of docs are interpreting that as "you better have proof that the baby is ready" so they are doing amnios
Third, its possible, but PRETTY rare to go into labor after an amnio when you are this far along. The risks for m/c are higher in the 1st tri.
Make sense?
It is definitely necessary, to make sure the baby's lungs are mature. It can save you the heartache and separation of a baby in the NICU (not to mention potential medical problems, expenses, etc.)
As for the risks, an amnio is basically a controlled rupture of membranes (breaking the water), because they have to pierce a hole in the amniotic sac to get a sample of the fluid. Usually the hole is so small your body will heal it on its own. However in approximately 1 out of 250 cases, it does not, and you can develop an infection and/or go into labor. With a baby at 37 weeks this is certainly not as much of a potential problem as one much earlier (i.e. 16 weeks) so your doc was right that it is less of a risk later in PG.
GL with your birth!
Is the Dr planning on mving the date of your c-section if the amnio says Lo isn't ready? Or do they just want to know ahead of time what to plan for but are going ahead either way? Just wondering because this would make the biggest difference for me. If the c-section date is pretty set in stone, then I might consider skipping the amnio. Seems like that only adds risk. If your doc thinks it's safe to postpone the c-section if Lo isn't ready yet, then that's a whole different story. Good luck!
They do the amnio to make sure the lungs are mature. And ditto pp that has had the procedure done. You need to have this done to avoid NICU time, but to have the C/s before you start laboring & endangering the placenta, thus endangering the baby.
They would probably postpone the C/s based on results. The only reasons I have seen them not postpone for immature amnio results is if the baby needs to come out (IUGR, low fluid, etc), or if something happens & baby gets in distress. HTH.
Trevor Calvin 12.10.07 7:26pm 7lbs2.5oz 19.75in
Emerson Claire 07.07.11 11:34am 7lbs7oz 20.5 in
I think the risks early on are mostly that it will irritate your uterus and cause you to go into labor and lose the baby. So obviously less of a risk at 37 weeks.
37 weeks doesn't neccesarily= mature lungs.
I had one at 37w5d to check for lung maturity, and it wasn't a big deal. The biggest risk is hitting the baby with the needle, which they avoid by using ultrasound.
Sorry for the late reply, my computer at home isn't working. Thank you all SO MUCH for your replies, they made me feel a million times better. To answer one of the questions, yes it is my understanding that the c-section would be delayed if they lungs we not fully developed so I guess it is for the best. Thanks again everyone!