May mom with a question

melissa721 · November 2014

Hi ladies. My doctor called me on Friday about my afp results and apparently the bloodwork increased my risk of a chromosomal abnormality. The number was 1 in 250 or so. Ultrasounds have been normal. Finger prick and NT scan normal. Panorama bloodwork normal. Just the afp came back not so good. We are choosing to do an amnio this week.

Has anyone else experienced this? If so, what was your amnio experience like and what was the outcome? TIA.

SuperFudge00 · November 2014

I don't have any experience and I never qualified for the Panorama style blood work. I'm posting for insight on the blood work. If the more in depth results came back negative, why are you doing an amnio? I thought those were more reliable than the afp screenings.

starshollow · November 2014

If the panorama was normal. I'd stop there.

I had a slightly elevated NT measurement but a good Verifi result. My doctor recommended skipping a CVS or amnio since verifi ruled out a lot of things.

missab · November 2014

I did not have this issue, however I did have amnio done (in order to have a microarray test done with the amniotic fluid). Amnio - to me - is not the big scary thing it is made out to be. Find out if your doctor will be performing it with a perinatologist and tech there and ask your doctor for his office's stats/experiences with amnio and frequency of adverse issues thereafter; it may help set your mind at ease. The procedure itself is also not particularly worrisome - you are watching the baby on a screen at the same time as the doctors and you see where the needle goes in (away from/ not very close to the baby). It is such a high tech procedure nowadays. I don't think it carries the same risks it once did. The needle itself is a pinch, like getting the flu shot in your belly. I chose not to look at the needle at all and found that helpful. Good luck and I hope if you do get the test done all turns out well! That said, follow your gut - if something about having it done doesn't sit right, and if the results don't change anything about how you'll proceed with your pregnancy, don't put yourself through the stress of doing it.

melissa721 · November 2014

SuperFudge00 said:
I don't have any experience and I never qualified for the Panorama style blood work. I'm posting for insight on the blood work. If the more in depth results came back negative, why are you doing an amnio? I thought those were more reliable than the afp screenings.

I honestly don't know. He said if it were his wife he would have her do it. I'm so confused about what to do now after reading your responses. And perhaps this is a question for my dr but it's Sunday and when he called on Friday I was caught so offguard I couldn't even think of questions to ask him: how can the results be SO dramatically different?

[Deleted User] · November 2014

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catlover790 · November 2014

I'm sorry you are dealing with this; it sounds very confusing. I didn't have any genetic testing done because of insurance but I thought the panorama/materniti tests were the newest and most accurate.

Another idea; I noticed in your siggy you were planning on IVF, maybe you could call your RE's office and ask their opinion? I only mention it because I felt like my RE was very knowledgeable especially with the newer research and options. I'm not sure if they would have any insight, but if you're unsure I'd try to get the most info possible before doing an amnio. Especially after everything you've already been through.

It sounds like your OB is recommending the amnio? I would definitely wait until I had more info and felt confident in my decision. GL!

Prpljade · November 2014

I know the ratio seems scary, but that's a 0.4% chance of a defect. AFP screens for Spina Bifida as GrailSeeker said. I would do some research on SB and then before having the amnio talk with your doctor about what you would do depending on the results. If you would not hangs anything and proceed with the pregnancy as normal then I wouldn't have it done, it's not goin to change anything.
However if it would change how you proceed then maybe it's worth it to have the testing done.

melissa721 · November 2014

catlover790 said:

I'm sorry you are dealing with this; it sounds very confusing. I didn't have any genetic testing done because of insurance but I thought the panorama/materniti tests were the newest and most accurate.

Another idea; I noticed in your siggy you were planning on IVF, maybe you could call your RE's office and ask their opinion? I only mention it because I felt like my RE was very knowledgeable especially with the newer research and options. I'm not sure if they would have any insight, but if you're unsure I'd try to get the most info possible before doing an amnio. Especially after everything you've already been through.

It sounds like your OB is recommending the amnio? I would definitely wait until I had more info and felt confident in my decision. GL!

I could definitely give my RE a call. She's pretty awesome and would definitely answer any questions she could.

Yes OB (also an MFM, if that changes anyone's opinion...) is recommending it. We are going to call him again tomorrow with questions. Unfortunately my husband was out grabbing us dinner when he called and I was too shocked to come up with any questions at the time. I think tomorrow night we can speak to him and he can answer some questions.

melissa721 · November 2014

Thanks for all your input, ladies. I really, really appreciate it.

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