amnio or not? (long + may be distressing to some)

[adelaidegal]

Hi Barbara + Smiley,

thanks so much for the info. I'm very glad I knew this before my appointment. Had the ultrasound yesterday and the nuchal fold measurement was fine (yay!!). I brought this issue (blood test + age) up with the OB, and he agreed there was really no point in doing the blood test, although he wasn't quite so honest as to say it would definitely be a bad result at my age. I'm so pleased I had this information beforehand, because I'm not sure he would have said anything if I hadn't brought it up. So, thanks again!! You're right, we have enough to worry about without taking tests which are alarming and essentially pointless.

He's booked me in for a level II ultrasound at about 16.5 weeks. He says if any problems show up, I can still have an amnio then, if I choose to. He said the u/s will not necessarily pick up 100% of problems (meaning, the only way to find out for certain is to have the amnio). But anyway, so far so good. We are feeling more relaxed.

I just have to tell you how amazing the ultrasound was. There was this itty bitty person bouncing around, arms and legs waving about. He (??) actuallly turned a somersault while we were watching!! So, now we are calling him (??) our little acrobat. I started crying when I heard the heartbeat for the first time. That sound really pushed my "weepy" button . At the first ultrasound my husband was excited, but I felt kind of numb (also uncomfortable, as it was vaginal). I don't think I dared feel too much because I'd heard so many scare stories and it was so early. I'll be 12 weeks on Sunday, and I'm starting to feel like I can relax just a little bit.

Hope you are both having a good week. Cheers .

[smiley]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Your OB did the nuchal fold test? Did he also measure all the leg and arm bones? If he's good at it, and felt good about the nuchal fold test...If I were you, I would feel relieved!!!!! That indepth u/s tells them alot, and if there were any discrepancies, I'm sure he would have advised you differently!!

THAT IS GREAT NEWS!!!!!! Take a deep breath and enjoy it!!!
++++ growing thoughts
smiley

[adelaidegal]

Hi S & thanks!!

OB said he was happy with everything he was seeing. I think they took lots of measurements, although I didn't ask exactly what. We were too busy marvelling at the antics of the little jumping bean on the screen . He didn't seem concerned about anything, just told us they would automatically "suggest" an amnio after the level II ultrasound because of my age (they do the level II at a specialist clinic in Boston). He said the amnio is the only thing that is 100% accurate. If everything on the next ultrasound looks good, we won't have an amnio. At my age, the risk of miscarriage weighs too heavily, even if the ultrasound assessment isn't always 100% accurate. You never get an absolute guarantee about these things.

Anyway, we are feeling good about things. Especially as I'm 12 weeks on Sunday, which feels like quite a milestone. Thanks for the +++++ thoughts. Always appreciated.

[oldermama]

Oh Adelaidegal!!! I am so happy for you!!! I was almost in tears myself reading your email That is wonderful! I am sure everything is okay and the level 11 u/s (which as funny as it sounds even though I had an amnio I had to have one of those also) will be just fine - usually something shows up on the earlier u/s first.

As Smiley said - they probably did all sorts of measurements and looked for 'markers' of anything being off so if he seems pleased then that's great!

As he said if something shows up on the level 11 - then an amnio can still be done and then it's even safer at that late date. But you won't need it girl!!

Oh, again I am soooo very happy!!! Please keep in touch! Congratulations!!!!

Barbara

[bianca]

Hello! I'm sneaking over to tell you to delete your old pm's so we can chat again Or you can pm me & I'll give you my email addy

[adelaidegal]

Thanks Barbara,

it was truly amazing, and we are now feeling a bit more relaxed about things, which is so good. I was 12 weeks yesterday . How many weeks are you now? I hope you're still feeling great. I will definitely stay in touch. I really enjoy our chats .

PS - I also love these silly smilies. They make me laugh

[adelaidegal]

Hey Bianca,

I have deleted my PM's. I didn't realise we had to delete them all the time . I would love to chat more. What a sweet pic of your little girl. She is too adorable

[hondabratt]

Hi Ladies
I am new to this Forum. I just came from over at IVF. I always thought D/S was at higher risk at 40, now I read 35.
I understand there are marker test that can be given prior to the amio. If they all come back ok then the amio would not be needed? I am only 2 weeks and my next appointment is April 11. I am reading that no test can be performed until 12 weeks, is that correct?

[adelaidegal]

Hi Tammy - Congratulations & Welcome!!

Re: D/S, the risk increases somewhat each year after 35. So, it's lower at 35 than at 39 or 42, but still higher than in one's 20s or early 30s. There's an early screening test which is done between 11-13 weeks. It's an ultrasound combined with a blood test, but once you get to my age (42), as I understand it you are bound to get a bad result from the blood test (due to age alone). So, as you've probably read below, a few of us here have declined the blood test because it seems pointless to take a test you know will give a negative and alarming result (whether or not there is actually a problem).

At 35 I'm sure you would have less risk of a "false positive", but maybe still a higher risk than someone younger. I suggest you discuss these issues with your OB. As I understand it, if you took both the u/sound and blood test, and all the results were good, they might not recommend an amnio. But, according to my OB, these tests are not 100% accurate, and the only way to be certain there is no problem is by doing the amnio, which of course does carry a small risk of miscarriage.

My OB said the reason they "suggest" an amnio to anyone over a certain age - that age may be 35, I'm not sure - is because the risk of miscarriage is lower than the risk of D/S. That sounds logical I suppose, but I think it depends on many factors, including how you personally feel about the risk of miscarriage etc. As you've probably gathered from my earlier posts, I have very mixed feelings about the whole issue. It's a very difficult and very personal decision, but I have found compassionate and non-judgmental support on this bb. I'm sure you will too.

PS - It's easy to get scared by all these statistics but remember, the odds are hugely in your favor. I believe that by 42 the actual risk of D/S is around 2%, which means 98% of the time everything is fine (in terms of D/S at least). I'm not great with statistics, so anyone reading this, please feel free to correct me if I've got that wrong.

[oldermama]

Hi Adelaidegal:

That's great that you are at 12 weeks - your miscarriage rate just went way down. I am glad things are turning out so wonderful.

I am 26 weeks now - just had my GTT last week see dr. tomorrow for results (she's adamant that I have it due to my age No other symptoms other than that)

Still feeling great - some breathlessness now and heartburn but nothing that's too bad or uncomfortable at all. The little bean is jumping and pushing around in there so it's truly wonderful - I just don't remember my son being so active so I am hoping it's a good sign.

I am so glad you are feeling good and everything is going well. Please post updates - I really enjoy chatting with you!!

Barbara