Amniocentesis

Virginialeigh · October 2014

So I am 37 weeks, I had an ultrasound today, the baby is 7lb 14oz, and my cervix has done nothing. My OB wants me to get an amnio to test the lungs to see if she can induce. I don't want to be induced. I feel like the baby should stay in there as long as it needs to and I have told her this. She says that the baby is just going to get bigger and i could end up having to have a c-section, which I also do not want. DH says i should have the amnio just so we know incase something should happen and we HAVE to induce. I don't want to waste the money or get stuck with a giant needle. And who's to say i can't push out a 10lb baby? What do you ladies think?

Raesofsunshine1 · October 2014

Definitely stand your ground on this one. There is no reason to get an amnio done. Ultrasound measurements are often inaccurate + or - a pound. And plenty of women have pushed out a ten pound baby.

Virginialeigh · October 2014

FamousEa said:

My baby was almost 7lbs at 36 weeks and ended up being 8lbs at birth. The growth ultrasounds can be way off sometimes. It sounds like you need to advocate for yourself, do you have any other medical issues that would cause your doctor to want to induce at 37 weeks?

There is no other reason to induce. When i asked OB her induction rate she said almost all her births were induced. Her c-section rate was also high. I think she just wants to get it over with.

jenndub · October 2014

Even if your baby gained the standard half pound a week and you had her at 40 weeks, a 9 pound baby isn't that rare or a reason to have a c-section. I would not do an amnio without a very good reason. And I don't think a big baby is a good enough reason.

Justabean3 · October 2014

If they HAVE to do something it won't matter if they are developed or not... They will still escort them out

pnwlover12 · October 2014

An Amnio done at 37 weeks just to test lung function so your doctor can induce you 3 weeks early? Huh?! I have never heard of this and it seems absolutely crazy to me. I would rather go to term, and wait and see what happens. I just cannot wrap my head around getting an amnio done just to induce early because baby is about 7lbs. The baby will not gain a ton more weight between now and 3 weeks, so I just do not understand this at all, sorry OP.

Unknown · October 2014

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pepperpotts317 · October 2014

jenndub said:
Even if your baby gained the standard half pound a week and you had her at 40 weeks, a 9 pound baby isn't that rare or a reason to have a c-section. I would not do an amnio without a very good reason. And I don't think a big baby is a good enough reason.

I absolutely agree. It doesn't sounds like you've been given a good enough reason to go forward with the amino.

Emerald27 · October 2014

Wow. No. I'd try to find a new doctor ASAP, or even plan to deliver with the hospital doc who is on call vs sticking with your doctor.

lrobi13 · October 2014

That sounds like a very unnecessary procedure at 37 weeks. As the other ladies have stated the ultrasound growth scans can be off by a pound in either direction. Even the tech and specialist don't put tons of stock in them. They are the most helpful we you have a series of them done by the same person on the same machine and even then it is not 100% accurate.

Induction can be successful but if you can wait for your body to do its own thing then it is much better.

I would have to really but heads with your ob.

DreadGamerWife · October 2014

Very unnecessary as fetal growth estimates vary based on too many factors. Also, fetal growth slows down towards the end of pregnancy, so even if he is 7lbs 14 oz right now, he may not gain that much more weight before he arrives.

Lastly, most lungs are mature at 37 weeks so I don't understand why any OB would risk an amnio at this point (regardless of why the OB thinks he should delivery early).

Refuse and ask for a 2nd opinion.

Roseypants · October 2014

Wow, I would stand my ground on this one! No way would I have an amnio to test lung function at this point. You are where you should be, and if it were me I wouldn't worry. I would rather have a c-section (which I do) than have something as invasive as this for nothing.

Dani0329 · October 2014

This seems unethical to me and I would say that to a doctor asking me to receive an amnio at 37 weeks.

meggiev123 · October 2014

Wow, you're definitely right to be questioning your doctor here. If he's pushing on this, I agree with others to think about looking for another OB for delivery. I just can't believe a dr would even be recommending this.

Virginialeigh · October 2014

Thank you guys. I just needed to know I wasn't being overly sensitve, but it sounds like you all have the same concerns I do. I don't think I'm going to switch OBs at this point, but I'm definitely not going to let her change my mind about what I want.

angelle530 · October 2014

That is absolutely unnecessary to do an amniocentesis. Most babies lungs are mature at 37 weeks...your doc sounds cray cray!!!!

Leysin97 · October 2014

Wow that's strange. I was at 7 lbs at my 36 week growth scan with the lowest amniotic fluid allowed in the normal range (5) and my doc wasn't worried. Said baby will probably be over 8 lbs at birth but estimates can be off by a pound. They did say they are going to check my fluids each week via ultrasound though and it went back up.

Virginialeigh · October 2014

Leysin97 said:

Wow that's strange. I was at 7 lbs at my 36 week growth scan with the lowest amniotic fluid allowed in the normal range (5) and my doc wasn't worried. Said baby will probably be over 8 lbs at birth but estimates can be off by a pound. They did say they are going to check my fluids each week via ultrasound though and it went back up.

I have an over abundance of fluid. She said that if my water breaks I will know it, and it will be "impressive".

sheluvs2travel · October 2014

theresat858 said:

I would run to any new OB who will accept you at this stage of the game. A big baby is not a reason for induction at term (39w), much less a reason for an early induction or for a c section. Ultrasound measurements can be off by a pound or more. Your doctor is not following ACOG guidelines or practicing evidence based care.

This. That is unheard of and ridiculous! If you are having a normal pregnancy w/o complications, they don't recommend a c-section anymore unless baby is going to be over 11 lbs.

miss.brittany · October 2014

I was told during an ultrasound at 40 weeks with my first that she weighed 8 1/2 lbs. She was born 6 days later and only weighed 7 lbs 9 oz, about a pound less than they told me. They can definitely be wrong. And even if they're not wrong, my best friend had an unmedicated vaginal delivery and her baby was 9 lbs 13 oz!!!

If it were me, I'd fight that recommendation and I'd fight it hard! I feel that an induction that early for that reason is not medically necessary. But that's my personal opinion and you should do whatever you think is best for your family.

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