Amnio questions.

I know this has been asked 10000 times so I apologize in advance but I have some questions and I know its a personal decision but just looking for feedback.


I had my 12 week sono this morning and the scan looked great according to the OB and the technician but I am waiting on the blood work. I am 40 and have two health kids already. The doctor is pushing me for an amnio as he said even if the blood work comes back okay its still not a guarantee etc etc and he would really like me to have it - he is from NYC and I live out east. He did remark that his patients in NYC are way more inclined for the amnio than his patients out here.

So my questions are:

IF your results came back okay did you still schedule an amnio?

What week did you have your amnio?

Did anyone who had an amnio have any side effects afterwards?

Did anyone who had an amnio regret their decision

Did anyone who DID NOT have an amnio wished they did?

Thanks for sharing

PS the main reasons I am even considering having one is because of my age and to be honest I feel its not about me and my DH anymore but about my two other kids.

Re: Amnio questions.

I opted out of the 12 week tests.

I had an amnio at 17 weeks because I am 38 and knew my results of a NTscan and bloodwork would not come back great.

I had no side effects from the amnio and was very glad I did it. Stayed off my feet for day of and the next day.

Would do the same thing with my next child.

Re: Amnio questions.

I was 42 when I got pregnant and did not do Amnio or CVS. My NT scan and bloodwork screening came back with very good numbers and my OB (and RE) didn't push me to do any additional testing. The genetics counsellor also said that we were low risk. I have no regrets but I know that we are extremely fortunate.

Re: Amnio questions.

Re: Amnio questions.

My NT scan and bloodwork came back questionable for downs (I'm almost 37) so I had the amnio. The results came back negative. I felt the same way you did as this is my second.

The doctor said that no matter what my scan and bloodwork showed that he would have pushed for the amnio - all based on my age.

I experienced zero side effects from the procedure. I stayed off my feet for the day and took it easy the next day.

Good luck!

Re: Amnio questions.

IF your results came back okay did you still schedule an amnio?

I didn't bother with the Ultrascreens. I was 35- almost 36 at the time and for DH and I, it was very important to have concrete, 100% answers- not percentages and statistics. My OB recomended going right to the Amnio in this case.


What week did you have your amnio?

I believe I was 16-17 weeks

Did anyone who had an amnio have any side effects afterwards?

None. I felt a tiny bit sore where the needle went in, but only if I bent over and hit the spot. I stayed on the couch and really limited activity until Monday when I went back to work (had amnio on Friday)

Did anyone who had an amnio regret their decision
Not 1 bit. Hearing the DEFINITIVE results let me relax and enjoy the rest of my pregnancy and took away the what if's

FM if you need anything else!

Message edited 3/5/2012 4:23:08 PM.

Re: Amnio questions.

Thanks everyone for sharing your stories. I guess I am in such a quandry as I never even considered an amnio for my other two pregnancies but since I had a Miscarriage last year and the fact I am now 40 i am seriously considering one. The problem is that I am going on vacation when I am 16 weeks and wont return until I am 18 1/2 weeks....I dont know if I would want to do it before I go or if they would even do it at just over 15 weeks or if its too late to do it at 18 1/2 weeks........

I am not scared of the actual amnio - I can handle pain but am kind of concerned of the amnio causing any damage to the baby.

Re: Amnio questions.

I was like you. I had two kids and something about being over 35 with #3 freaked me out (I was 37). The high risk OB said the 35 age was just a number and pretty arbitrary.

I decided to go straight for the CVS. It came back with an abnormal chromosome on the placenta. 75% that the baby was not affected, but my high risk OB encouraged the amnio for peace of mind. I was really happy I did. I enjoyed the rest of the pregnancy


I had no issues...a bit sore and rested for the day and the next. There is barely any discomfort much less pain. They do the amnio while doing an ultrasound and can see the baby while inserting the needle.