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Not sure if I can ask this UltraScreen vs. Amino
Hello,
I am not sure if I am allowed to ask this question but I was just wondering what made you choose one over the other? I had an appt with my dr. yesterday and she said the next things we would do would be a ultra screen at 12wks or an amino at 16wks. She told us to think about it and call her next week with our decision. I am so torn, I am also having twins and had IVF I don't know if that plays in the picture at all. If anyone wants to offer any words of advice I would appreciate it, so I can get a better understanding. Thank you so much!
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Posted 7/9/10 10:02 AM  |
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LadyBug1209
Mommy to FOUR little men!
Member since 8/08 9655 total posts
Name:
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Re: Not sure if I can ask this UltraScreen vs. Amino
I would ABSOLUTELY choose an UltraScreen over an Amnio. An Amnio has many risk factors and is not necessary unless the Ultrascreen comes back abnormal. I'm actually surprised that your doctor is willing to do an Amnio right off the bat but that's just me. Good Luck with your decision!
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| Posted 7/9/10 10:09 AM |
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smp123
Praying for the LOs!
Member since 1/09 1630 total posts
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Re: Not sure if I can ask this UltraScreen vs. Amino
i am having twins after doing IVF/PGD. We did PGD bc i have am a carrier for a disease which was 50% inheritable for each of my children.
they wanted me to do either CVS or Amnio to make sure the babies didn't have the disease (even after I did PGD). But, they told me the risk doubles with twins because they have to put the needle in twice, and, they have to inject a certain dye (which they say isnt harmful) to make sure they take a sample from each placenta and not the same one.
DH and i decided against it bc we figured even if the babies had the disease, we wouldn't terminate so we thought the risk didn't outweigh the benefit of knowing so we didnt do it
plus, our ultra screen results came back great so there was an extra reason not to do it for us
good luck with whatever decision you make!!
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| Posted 7/9/10 10:13 AM |
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ruby
you rang?
Member since 6/08 5573 total posts
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Re: Not sure if I can ask this UltraScreen vs. Amino
An ultrascreen is completely noninvasive and poses no danger to you or the baby so I would do it regardless. It's just a sonogram where they measure the fat on the back of the baby's neck and they take a drop of blood from your finger. Then, based on the results from that you'll have more information that can help you decide whether an amnio might be necessary or not.
I'm not sure why your doc would suggest an amnio right off the bat unless you have some pre-existing genetic issues/question that might be a factor or if the're already seen something on a previous sono that raised a flag, if so, again, maybe the ultrascreen or further blood screenings from you can give you more info.
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| Posted 7/9/10 10:18 AM |
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shelby34
Love being a twin mommy!
Member since 5/07 2934 total posts
Name:
Michele
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Re: Not sure if I can ask this UltraScreen vs. Amino
Posted by Maria31
I would ABSOLUTELY choose an UltraScreen over an Amnio. An Amnio has many risk factors and is not necessary unless the Ultrascreen comes back abnormal. I'm actually surprised that your doctor is willing to do an Amnio right off the bat but that's just me. Good Luck with your decision!
I absolutely agree with this....especially with multiples. It would be too high risk to do it without a solid reason.
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| Posted 7/9/10 10:20 AM |
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Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: Not sure if I can ask this UltraScreen vs. Amino
As someone who has had both tests with both of her pregnancies, I can honestly say that its like comparing apples and oranges. They are two VERY different tests both in what they test for and how they are done.
For me, the benefits of the amnio outweighed the risks and yes, DH and I would have terminated either or both pregnancies had something shown up. But that is besides the point. I had great numbers after all of my screenings, but based on family history, chromosomal miscarriages and age, I opted for amniocentesis.
I would be VERY leary of a doctor who would suggest an amnio with out stating WHY they feel it is necessary. The only thing I can think of as to why it MIGHT have been suggested to you is if you are over 35. It MIGHT be law, your doctor's protocol or the protocol of your insurance company that dictates WHY it was offered to you.
I was well over 35 for both of my pregnancies and it was offered - NOT ENCOURAGED - but offered to me. DH and I made the decision together.
Should you decide to have an amnio and I by no means am suggesting that you do, feel free to FM me for info. I'd be happy to help in any way I can.
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| Posted 7/9/10 10:28 AM |
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MeeshMosh
last month on leave!
Member since 6/08 4551 total posts
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Re: Not sure if I can ask this UltraScreen vs. Amino
im just a little confused b/c the way it was presented to me was that the 12 week screen was optional, but if we decided to get it & the results came back abnormal, THEN we would decide whether or not to get an amnio... it was like one OR the other, KWIM?
but anyways, i would never get the amnio -- but everyone is different & its a very personal decision
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| Posted 7/9/10 10:32 AM |
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Re: Not sure if I can ask this UltraScreen vs. Amino
Thank you all for your replies. I think she was giving more of an option. She put it like if you are ok with percentages then go with the ultrascreen if you want to know for sure go with the amino.
Also, the ultra screens are done at 12wks correct?
Message edited 7/9/2010 11:15:31 AM.
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| Posted 7/9/10 11:15 AM |
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ruby
you rang?
Member since 6/08 5573 total posts
Name:
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Re: Not sure if I can ask this UltraScreen vs. Amino
Posted by YouHaveToBelieve
Thank you all for your replies. I think she was giving more of an option. She put it like if you are ok with percentages then go with the ultrascreen if you want to know for sure go with the amino.
Also, the ultra screens are done at 12wks correct?
yes, ultrascreens are done around 12 weeks. Again, is there a SPECIFIC reason she's even suggesting an amnio?? It's a very serious procedure that while giving definitive answers could also be very high risk. I'm not discouraging you from having one, but like Goldi said, you have to decide whether the risk is worth it, whether the reasons behind having one are worth the risk. Is there REASON she is suggesting one? You don't have to share what the reason is if you're not comfortable, but if there is a valid reason she is suggesting it, then take that and weigh them vs. the risks of the amnio. If she's just suggesting it "to know for sure" and there's no medical reason (shown genetic issue, age, abnormal previous tests, etc) other than that, than I would question her and ask her why she thinks such a risky procedure is necessary. Also, like goldi said (she's a wise one that Goldi  ), comparing the two is like comparing apples to oranges, I described the ultrascreen in my earlier post, totally non invasive so I don't see a reason why not if you're curious about certain things. An amnio is a very very serious procedure to consider and I'd get all the info I could from your doctor as to why she is suggesting it. To find out for sure if there's anything wrong or not (if there's no reason to suggest there could be) is not enough reason for me to feel comfortable with it, but that's me. Good luck whatever you choose.
Message edited 7/9/2010 11:24:44 AM.
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| Posted 7/9/10 11:23 AM |
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nycgirl
Angels!
Member since 3/09 7721 total posts
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Re: Not sure if I can ask this UltraScreen vs. Amino
The way I understand it is:
an ultrascreen can be helpful in knowing that the nuchal fold is (downs)...BUT with the bloodwork portion, good results from one baby can "wash-out" bad results from another. They get your risk levels by the amount of bhcg, ect in your blood stream...so if the placenta of the healthy twin is producing slightly more...it could wash out the low levels of the unhealthy twin.
SO: you really can not go by the blood test results & can easily end up with one baby with chromosomal abnormailities.
If you NEED to know: the only way is CVS or Amnio & the risks of CVS and amnio are different with twins, as well as the risk of selective reduction is different at the 2 different time points.
This is a decision that you should really go over with your GYN in detail. Your risks are def. different and what you may accept is different if you had a tough time getting pregnant with IVF.
Re-phrase the situation to your Dr so that she knows how you see it.
It's not really a choice of one over the other, but it's a choice of what YOU want and what risks YOU will accept.
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| Posted 7/10/10 12:48 PM |
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Re: Not sure if I can ask this UltraScreen vs. Amino
My dr said a lot of people opt for the ultrascreen and if something comes back irregular then you can decide on an amnio
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| Posted 7/10/10 7:13 PM |
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hbugal
Lesigh
Member since 2/07 15928 total posts
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Re: Not sure if I can ask this UltraScreen vs. Amino
One test is considered a screening...
The other is a diagnostic test....
The Ultrascreen, AFP or Quad Screen, and even your Level II sonograms are all "screenings"...
An Amnio or CVS is a diagnostic tool used to determine Chromosomal Anomalies, amongst other birth defects...
Im going to give you an example based upon Down Syndrome b/c most people are familiar with the syndrome...
Down Syndrome is caused by an extra 21st chromosome and is also called Trisomy 21. Normal individuals have 46 chromosomes. People with Down Syndrome have 47.
The Ultrascreen is a 2 part test. One part sonogram and one part blood test. The sonogram part of the test is looking at the NT or Nuchael Translucency. Babies with Down Syndrome have a "fat pad" at the back of the neck when they are born. The sonogram is looking for this area. The blood part is looking for either increased or decreased levels of certian proteins in the blood that may/may not be indicative of Down Syndrome. Your blood results, the babies NT measurement, and your age are put into a computer and out pops your statistically chance of the baby having Down Syndrome...
In an Amnio the doctor inserts a needle and aspirates a small amount of amnionic fluid. The fluid is then sent to the lab where a Karyotype is performed on the sample. The results of this are available in about 10 days and are, in most cases, 100 % accurate. It is, in most cases, the same as testing the babies blood after birth. (For arguments sake please understand that the chances of an amnio not being correct are so minutely rare that I dont even think it's statistically significant.)
My opinion on the whole thing? Take it one step at a time...Do the ultrascreen and then take it from there...
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| Posted 7/10/10 7:48 PM |
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