Amnio questions/concerns

I want to have an amnio, DH is having reservations about it.

To the ladies who HAD amnios, what was the recovery like and did you have complications?

I understand the rate for miscarriage is .3% (so, a third of 1 percent). Is there anyone here who HAD a miscarriage due to having an amnio?

Thank you for any insight.

Re: Amnio questions/concerns

as you mentioned, the risk of miscarriage is quite small.... personally, I decided against an amnio (if my ultrasceen results were normal) mainly becuase of other possible complications, which don't cause a miscarriage, but can add complications/risks to the pregnancy (leaking amniotic fluid, blood tinged fluid....)

I got most of my info about amnio complications from google...

Re: Amnio questions/concerns

Every single one of my tests before the amnio had me in a normal range and DECREASED risk for anything they tested for for my age and we still opted to have an amnio. Our reasons are pretty personal and NO they were not solely based on our ages.

As for recovery, I put myself on bedrest 4 two days. I should have gone for 3 as I cramped a little bit.

As for the m/c rate...for my doc's office it was 1 in 300 as compared to what I have been told as 1 in 200 nationwide. In my case and in my opinion, the benefits of the test outweighed the risks.

I strongly advise asking people you know as well as your doctors to provide you with more accurate information than ANY internet website can provide.

Feel free to FM me if you would like my detailed rationale as to why I was willing to take the chance with having the amnio. I would be happy to share.

Message edited 4/21/2008 9:39:56 PM.

Re: Amnio questions/concerns

My aunt was pregnant a few years ago with her 3rd child and because she was over 35 when she conceived the OB wanted her to have the amnio to further check for any chromosomal abnormalities. Not be a downer but since you asked, she lost that baby. After they performed the amnio her amniotic sac ruptured causing all of the amniotic fluid to be lost and she miscarried. It was devastating.

IMO, and this is just my opinion, unless there is a real concern there OR unless the results would alter whether you continue on with the pregnancy then I would forgo the amnio. To me the risk of miscarriage (although not great) is enough to scare me. Seeing my aunt lose her baby was very sad and I just would hate to have that happen to me especially to potentially find out that it was a completely healthy pregnancy which was the case with my aunt.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

Message edited 4/21/2008 9:48:13 PM.

Re: Amnio questions/concerns

I had 2 amnios, one for my DD who is 8 and one for my DS that I am pregnant with now I had a MC before him. The risks are low, however you will still be anxious which is to be expected. There is cramping, you should stay in bed as much as possible, no cooking, walking, DEF. NO lifting. My Dr told me that the first 48 hours after the amnio is the most critical time. I stayed in bed for 3. If it is a work issue try and make it like on a thurs or fri that way you have the whole weekend to yourself to recoup. GOOD LUCK!

Re: Amnio questions/concerns

I had an amnio done and it was not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. The risk of miscarriage is very small but there is a risk of it. We did it because after our 20 week sono there were two possible signs of downs syndrome so we wanted to rule it out. Otherwise I would not have done one. But I have to say that after doing one we had such peace of mind that if we ever get pregnant again I will probably want one done.

As far as the procedure itself it was very quick. I did have some light cramping and was uncomfortable for that day. They did not put me on bedrest but told me to take it very easy for the day and the following day. I couldn't lift my daughter for 24 hours which was one of the hardest parts! But we actually went to the Finding Nemo show that night and I was totally fine. It was mostly an uncomfortable feeling more than anything else. And the cramps for me were not at all severe. Good luck with your decision and feel free to ask questions if you have any.

Re: Amnio questions/concerns

I had an amnio done - like you, I wanted it and DH had reservations. He went along with it because he knew that I was stressing about it and needed the peace of mind.
We decided partly because of our ages, but mostly because the ultrascreen results came back with a slightly elevated risk.

The procedure itself was pretty quick & painless. I had it done on a Thursday and rested on the couch or in bed for 2 days - I didn't even get up to take a shower until Saturday afternoon.
There was a little cramping Thursday night, but after that I felt fine.

I have to say, meeting with a genetic counselor made us feel a lot more at ease with the decision - she gave us a lot of information and statistics about amnios and the benefits/risks.

Re: Amnio questions/concerns

hi,
i had an amnio back in january. it was an agonizing decision to make. i pretty much was in a higher risk category because my husband has a certain risk factor that really worried me. the doctors recommended it.
the procedure stung a bit and i had some pressure around the area after. they told me to rest for a day, but i stayed in bed for 3 days to be on the safe side.
if i did not have the increased risk factor thing that totally scared me, i don't think i would have done the amnio.
however, saying that it did put me at ease once i got the results.
but i don't think i'd do an amnio in general if there were no other risk factors.
you have to decide what's best for you. but if there are no other risk factors, and every other test came out fine...