Amniocentesis
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=21334
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Topic: Amniocentesis
Posted By: coldfish
Subject: Amniocentesis
Date Posted: 01 October 2008 at 12:13pm
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Hi I've been weighing up having an amnio and was wondering if anyone has had one.
I had my first scan yesterday at 13wks and all looks great! I'm coming up to 33 and I was told that my NT risk factor has gone down to 1:2000 which is a good number. However I still hate having that uncertainty and would like more tests to be done. I'm in Christchurch and I would have to go private because of my age and low risk. The MW thinks, but I haven't confirmed it yet, that it would cost ~$300. Not that the cost is the determining factor.. I realise that a 1:2000 risk of Down Syndrome is far better than the 1:200 risk of amnio miscarriage but as I say I just don't like uncertainty. It probably sounds heartless but if I had a positive/bad result from the amnio I would terminate. Has anyone been in this situation before? Do you know of anyone who has actually miscarried from amnio? Thanks 
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Replies:
Posted By: xox6Girls1Boyxox
Date Posted: 01 October 2008 at 12:19pm
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Hi there, Would you consider having the Maternal Serum testing? It's blood tests that get done which can also determine weather there is any chance of abnormalities, Im not sure which abnorms they look for but maybe you can talk to your MW about having that done. It costs around $75 I think it is done between 14-18wks... ------------- http://www.bump-and-beyond.com/"> 
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Posted By: Danaj
Date Posted: 01 October 2008 at 12:28pm
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My mum lost my brother at 20 something weeks from an amnio. He was already very weak with lung disease and the test tipped him over the edge. All these years later and she still hasn't gotten over the loss. I guess no one could.
The chances are very low but it does happen. I guess the thought frightens me due to the personal experience and because of that, there is no way I would have one. But ours is only one experience and no one could judge you for choosing the have the test so you can be sure. ------------- http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wyI1oWn/"> 
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Posted By: clover
Date Posted: 01 October 2008 at 2:23pm
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I think with the odds you've been given I wouldn't risk it. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 01 October 2008 at 2:35pm
| I dont think I would be too worried about those odds either. Mine came back at 1:900 or something and I thought that was GREAT!! |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 01 October 2008 at 3:05pm
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Also I thought the risk for amnio was 1:100 which is a lot more risky.
The best thing to do is probably to make an appoinment to talk to the specialist properly about the risks and also maybe other options like the maternal serum testing etc. ------------- 
 
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Posted By: TraceyA
Date Posted: 01 October 2008 at 3:28pm
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I'm afraid I also wouldn't risk it. Your talking about a 0.05% chance here verses a 1-2% chance of causing a miscarriage. It is very very very unlikely that you would have a child with downsyndrome and even if your baby did have it you don't know to what extent. I've grown up with several people with downs to varying degrees and they are amazing individuals. All except one grew up, moved out of home and had normal lives. The other was one of my best friends growing up and he had a lot of other health issues and died when we were 24. I couldn't imagine my life without Nicki in it.
But you also have to do what is right for you and your husband, if you think the risk is worth it to you then that is what you need to do, no matter what any of us would choose. ------------- TTC #2 |
Posted By: Danaj
Date Posted: 01 October 2008 at 4:41pm
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I have two cousins with downs. One is quite severe and had to be institutionalized but the other is a remarkable young woman. She drives, has always held down a full time job and has to be one of the sweetest positive people I have ever met. You can't help but smile and hug back when you meet Keeley. Her words when ever you leave are "I love you and Bless you". She's just gorgeous. If I found out I was having a bubs with Downs, the thought of Keeley would always make me question a termination as I just couldn't justify it after seeing someone with that condition live such a full life. ------------- http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wyI1oWn/">
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Posted By: kezplanet
Date Posted: 02 October 2008 at 1:14am
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Hi Coldfish, I just got my results back, clear, from our amnio. I am 39 with 2 young girls and DH & I had also decided if we had been given a downs baby we would terminate, we have been luck with the girls we have and with the results from the test but didn't want the extra responsibility of bringing a 'high needs' baby into our family. I have history of depression & was told also the stats for marriage breakdowns were 9 out of 10 which we weren't prepared to risk. From our scan results we went from 1:105 to approx 1:160 which isn't considered high risk but the offer was there for more testing. I think the maternal serum testing would be a good place to start, in conjunction with your scan etc and if there are any indicators from there you could have more testing done. It isn't a procedure I would recommend having without having talked/thought about it carefully, not even for the risk for mc but the stress leading up to having the test, then having to wait two weeks for the results was a lot to go thru. The test itself isn't pleasant (my uterus kept contracting when the needle got near and they had to try 3 different times) each time got just a little worse because - of course I tensed up more each time. Maybe ask your mw if you are able to talk to someone in the Fetal Medicine Unit at CWH or if there is someone else you can have a talk with to help with your decision. ------------- Kerryn, Mum to Ashlyn(29/3/04), Anastasia(1/11/05) & Abigail (24/02/09) |
Posted By: coldfish
Date Posted: 02 October 2008 at 9:38am
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Thanks for all your comments, I'm going to have to do some serious thinking.. cheers
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Posted By: coldfish
Date Posted: 24 October 2008 at 10:12am
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Hi all, just an update on my pregnancy..
I had amniocentesis done yesterday, it all went fine and the doctor seemed very competent. I was a very quick procedure and I feel so much better after having it done, it's amazing how much stress has melted away. I didn't even have a single twinge, cramp, or slightest discharge which is great. He said that miscarriages tend to be in the 48-72hr range after due to bruising of the uterus. I though I'd post my positive experience on here because so often people post about their negatvie experiences and people don't hear enough about the good outcomes. Have a great long weekend 
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Posted By: kezplanet
Date Posted: 24 October 2008 at 10:47am
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I also had no problems with mine, although baby and my body didn't make it easy with the test but all was good afterwards and when I finally got the call from the Dr with the results it was fantastic as they were good but we also would have terminated if there was a problem. Next question is ........... are you going to ask what flavour you are having or are you going to keep that one a surprise????? ------------- Kerryn, Mum to Ashlyn(29/3/04), Anastasia(1/11/05) & Abigail (24/02/09) |
Posted By: coldfish
Date Posted: 24 October 2008 at 10:54am
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Oh definitely, I want to know everything! Maybe I'm a control freak but I'd rather not know than not know.
So I'll find out for sure in just over 2 weeks. Not that I mind what I'm having (though I would love a girl), but it will be great to know with certainty. It will be great to get the results because then I'll be able to start planning and ejoying the pregnancy. I too will terminate if there is some chromosomal abnormality, so I haven't allowed myself to bond with the child or get excited yet. So if all goes well, and i'm 100% that it will, then it will open up a new chapter for me and I'll be able to enjoy being pregnant
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Posted By: coldfish
Date Posted: 24 October 2008 at 10:58am
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Oh the other thing that the MW had failed to mention to us, I don't think she knew the details herself, and that was the cost!
The nastiest surprise of it all was finding how much it costs, but I was there at the doctor's and had taken the day off work so I decided to go ahead with it anyway. Because I'm low risk from my NT scan and < 35yrs I have to pay the entire cost.. the MW had only mentioned the cost of the doctor performing the amnio.. What we didn't find out until the day was that we have to pay for the actual DNA analysis done by the CDHB.. which is $500!!! But for me, I'd rather pay the money and enjoy my pregnancy than have that nagging stress/doubts hang over me.
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Posted By: pikelets
Date Posted: 26 October 2008 at 10:03am
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Good luck with the results coldfish. I hope everything works out well for you.
When do you get the results back? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
 3 Angels - Dec10 / Mar11 / Dec11
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Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 26 October 2008 at 6:13pm
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of course a personal thing..i do know someone who miscarried from an amnio but that was 8 years ago.. my odds were 1:1200 and I was happy but then I wasn't going to terminate so I didn't consider amnio..though i did almost have to have CVS due to family disease but glad I didn't:( I agree with cuppatea I would make appointment and discuss it from there. ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 26 October 2008 at 6:15pm
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just read everything glad it worked out for you..good luck with the results. ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: kezplanet
Date Posted: 03 November 2008 at 1:21am
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Not long to go before we hear some news ........ Pink ..... or .... Blue...... ?? ------------- Kerryn, Mum to Ashlyn(29/3/04), Anastasia(1/11/05) & Abigail (24/02/09) |
Posted By: coldfish
Date Posted: 05 November 2008 at 4:07pm
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Hi, thought I'd post an update.
It's been two weeks now, and all is well
Yesterday the clinic rang me with the results saying that all the chromosomal tests came back fine (phew!), and that it's a girl!!! I've been so busy with work and study lately to give much thought about the pregnancy or get excited about it yet, but when I found out that it's a girl I had the biggest smile on my face and was so happy, it's all made it so real for me. I just have 3 weeks of school to go now and then it will all be over, so I can't wait to be stress free and start enjoying my pregnancy
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Posted By: LeahandJoel
Date Posted: 05 November 2008 at 4:20pm
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Congrats, i'm glad you had excellent results and no problems after the test. -------------  
 
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Posted By: kezplanet
Date Posted: 05 November 2008 at 5:14pm
Yay and Congratulations both on results being clear and having a pink bundle on the way. Hope the next 3 weeks fly by so you can start enjoying everything a bit more. ------------- Kerryn, Mum to Ashlyn(29/3/04), Anastasia(1/11/05) & Abigail (24/02/09) |
Posted By: kezplanet
Date Posted: 02 February 2009 at 3:47pm
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bump ------------- Kerryn, Mum to Ashlyn(29/3/04), Anastasia(1/11/05) & Abigail (24/02/09) |