Who has had an amnio?

marchbride32407 · February 2011

I posted an intro last week and have been lurking here ever since. We had two soft markers for a chromosome problem at our anatomy scan last week (choroid plexus cysts and SUA or 2 vessel cord). We go back in 3 weeks for a fetal echocardiagram. We decided to tentatively wait on an amnio, but I'm really having problems not knowing. I have issues fully functioning, which I know isn't good for our little girl. The worry and anxiety if constantly there, as much as I try to put it out of my mind. I'm going to call the MFM office tomorrow and try to talk to them again about my numbers and more specifics, but I'm now thinking we may need to do the amnio. In the long run, I feel like I will enjoy the pregnancy more just knowing. Also, it isn't good for the baby for me to be constantly stressed and worried. They gave us a 1-2% chance of baby having a chromosome problem (most likely Down's but Trisomy 18 could be a slight possibility). That is after a 1/10,000 NT scan result for both. Their numbers seem ultra-conservative based on what I've read, but I'm no specialist.

If you've had an amnio, what was your experience? I'm not worried about the pain, just want to know what kind of risk it is and what I would need to do afterwards to minimize the possibility of problems. We're not sure, but definitely rethinking the possibility of having one after not feeling too much relief a week after the anatomy scan. TIA!

christykell · February 2011

I had an amnio. Mine was for different reasons though, they needed to rule out any infection before I could get my cerclage.

The procedure itself was not bad at all. It feels a little strange, but not painful. It only lasted a couple minutes. I had no cramping following the procedure either.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Rubypercy · February 2011

I had one at 17 weeks. I am so glad that I did it. I had one soft marker when pregnant with my first and did not do the amnio. I worried off and on throughout the pregnancy. So when my blood work came back funky this time (despite a good level 2 ultrasound) I didn't want to stress again. It was hard to choose to do it, but the procedure itself was really no big deal. As long as you stay calm and don't tense your cramping should be limited. I just went home afterwards and lied down all day and did not lift anything heavy for several days. Good luck I hope you have a good outcome!

mcwhittaker · February 2011

I had mine at 15.5 weeks. It was relatively painless (i got a local in my belly before they did the draw).

I asked the ultrasound tech at my Peri's office how many miscarriages they've had due to amnio, she said "none, and he does 3 of these a day".

Risk is very low. Peace of mind is enormous.

I had to get the Rhogam shot after due to being RH Neg (again totally not a big deal).

They had me wait in the office for 30 minutes after the amnio just to make sure everything was O.K. Then I went home, hopped in bed and chilled out for the rest of the afternoon reading a book.

I was given a script for a medication for relaxing my uterus, but I never had to use it.

Don't be afraid to ask the ladies in your doctor's office what his track record is for doing the test.

Don't let the anxiety over a less than half a percent chance of a complication prevent you from taking the test because I can tell you that I felt a HUGE weight off my shoulders knowing that there will be no surprises delivery day, plus I got to find out definitively that we're having a girl at 16 weeks (it's part of the chromosomal testing since they have the DNA anyway).

Good luck whichever way you decide to go

twinkletoes815 · February 2011

It was just a 'weird' experience. I didn't get any numbing medication. Initially, it felt like getting a shot, then an odd pressure sensation once inside the uterus. I got flushed and almost felt faint, but I think that was more due to laying on my back and the anticipation of it all. Afterwards, I just laid around and did nothing the rest of the day. Good luck.

LIa0909 · February 2011

I just had mine today after having a terrible time trying to decide what to do. In the end, I decided to do it more to rull it out from the doctors standard of care point of view. I'm having some complications that are probably causing all of the soft markers and funky bloodwork, but they were really wanting to rull out other problems to determine how they will respond to the difficulties in the pregnancy.

How it went was... okay. Weird is a great description. It feels exactly like a shot as the needle goes in but then is a pressure on your belly sensation the time the needle is in (about a minute) Recovery wise I'm a little sore and uncomfortable in most positions but the cramping is very slight. The needle injection site almost feels like a bruise.

SoulChild · February 2011

Hi!

My baby girl has a 2 vessel cord and also my Downs screen came back High Risk so we decided to do the Amnio.
The procedure was not painful. I didnt get any numbing medication. It felt like when you get your blood drawn and when the needle was being pulled out I felt a weird pulling sensation but nothing painful.

I was more scared and anxious than anything. Afterwards I went home and just watched TV and then next day worked from home and took it easy.
We opted for FISH results which were available within 48 hours and then the full Amnio report came back one week later. Everything turned out great!

I'm glad I went ahead and did the Amnio. Like you, I was worrying all the time. It was important for me to know and to be prepared in case our daughter had any abnormalities.

Good Luck!

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