Amnio Question

4cats · 12-05-2008, 03:00 PM

I see a lot of other people wait until after the level 2 u/s to decided whether or not to do an amnio. I have to admit, after going through IVFs and everything else, I can totally see myself falling into that tiny percent of women who loses everything because I did one.
At the level 2 u/s they can see a lot of markers for what the amnio tests for anyways? I know none of these tests is a hundred percent, but I would much rather skip the amnio risk, though I'm 40 so I should do something.
I never thought I'd get this far (actually being pg) so I never researched any of this. Thanks in advance!

**BC-GoMom** · 12-06-2008, 02:48 PM

There are many things a level 2 can see.... some are markers for syndromes...
An amnio actually looks at the cells and looks for chromosomal problems which result in syndromes..

Sometimes if they see problems on the u/s then they progress to amnio- that is what I would have done, but my u/s always looked great.

Unfortunately even if the amnio and u/s show no problems it doens't mean the baby will be born healthy... there is nothing that is 100%. That is why it is so hard to decide. YOu have to ask yourself what you would do if they found a problem- if your answer is nothing then you may not want to do invasive testing.... that was my plan.

I know there are others who need the reassurance of no chromosomal problems... good luck with your decision.

4cats · 12-09-2008, 05:20 PM

Thanks! After having major anxiety I think I'm going to just take a deep breath and get the amnio. My Re said between 14-16 weeks, but the person who does the amnio said 16-20. I'm just going with what the amnio people said since they do them all the time and made my appointment for week 16 (assuming I get that far!)

Does anyone know why they said it takes two hours? I'm assuming the actual amnio is fast, but they have you lie around afterwards?

Tia38 · 12-10-2008, 08:42 AM

Haven't had an amnio myself, but wanted to wish you luck.

I'm one of the 'waited for nuchal scan and then waited for level 2 u/s' before deciding on amnio both times (at 39 and now at 41). There is no right/wrong answers. Glad you have a plan.

I don't know how far along you are, but if you don't already have info on other pre-natal testing (like the nuchal scan, which timing wise comes before amnio) I would ask about it. Here's a starter link for my clinic (in Boston): http://www.massgeneral.org/vincent/prenatal.htm

It may be more info that you want to take in at this point, but as you get more settled you may want to read up a bit.

I'll add that many of us never get fully 'settled' -- after IF it's often hard to relax during pg -- it's very normal.

Congrats on your pg. Wishing you a happy, healthy and uneventful pg. :-)

Cheers,
-Tia

4cats · 12-10-2008, 10:39 AM

Thank you!!!
My OB went over some blood screening you have to do twice, the CVS which I decided was too risky, and the amnio. Though I am scheduled to go in week 13 and I'm pretty sure it's for the nuchal scan. Sometimes she automatically takes the no risk precautions because of my age (I'm 40). Like giving me the prescrition pre-natals which I noticed have much higher doses of folic acid as well as some other things. Right now I'm 12wks1d. I didn't schedule my Ob appointment until I 'passed' my RE 8wk u/s because I was so afraid I wouldn't make it!

Tia38 · 12-10-2008, 11:14 AM

Wow! You're in a great place (timing wise). Best of luck as you continue forward.

One unsolicited comment on b/w -- many 35+ do not do a triple or quad screen due to 'known false positives' (although since it's a screening false positive is not the right word). I believe the b/w they do with a nuchal scan is a subset of the triple screen, but don't know the details. If the b/w you do twice is the triple or quad screen, I would ask specifically about age factors.

I also didn't consider CVS seriously due to risk; I had my nuchal scan earlier enough that if it had raised serious issues I might have considered CVS (which has a very early time window) but more likely would have pressed on for amnio.

Sounds like your ducks are in a row, or at least all fairly near together.

Wishing you all the best!
-Tia

4cats · 12-12-2008, 06:25 PM

Thank you! Right now I'm getting stressed before my appointment next week. I'll post an update.

12-05-2008, 03:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
4cats 200-299 post 4 of hearts Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: nyc Posts: 203	Amnio Question I see a lot of other people wait until after the level 2 u/s to decided whether or not to do an amnio. I have to admit, after going through IVFs and everything else, I can totally see myself falling into that tiny percent of women who loses everything because I did one. At the level 2 u/s they can see a lot of markers for what the amnio tests for anyways? I know none of these tests is a hundred percent, but I would much rather skip the amnio risk, though I'm 40 so I should do something. I never thought I'd get this far (actually being pg) so I never researched any of this. Thanks in advance!

12-06-2008, 02:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
BC-GoMom BC:Preg+35/Gaming/Webkinz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Down South Posts: 4,917	There are many things a level 2 can see.... some are markers for syndromes... An amnio actually looks at the cells and looks for chromosomal problems which result in syndromes.. Sometimes if they see problems on the u/s then they progress to amnio- that is what I would have done, but my u/s always looked great. Unfortunately even if the amnio and u/s show no problems it doens't mean the baby will be born healthy... there is nothing that is 100%. That is why it is so hard to decide. YOu have to ask yourself what you would do if they found a problem- if your answer is nothing then you may not want to do invasive testing.... that was my plan. I know there are others who need the reassurance of no chromosomal problems... good luck with your decision. __________________ Mom of 6: DS - 10 yrs (IVF) DD - 8.5 yrs (IVF) DD - 7 yrs (Natural Surprise) DD/DS twins b/d 12/9/97 @22.5wks IC/PROM/GBS DS- 18.8 years -died Easter Sunday 2005 multiple disabilities since birth Mommy loves you all!

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12-09-2008, 05:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
4cats 200-299 post 4 of hearts Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: nyc Posts: 203	Thanks! After having major anxiety I think I'm going to just take a deep breath and get the amnio. My Re said between 14-16 weeks, but the person who does the amnio said 16-20. I'm just going with what the amnio people said since they do them all the time and made my appointment for week 16 (assuming I get that far!) Does anyone know why they said it takes two hours? I'm assuming the actual amnio is fast, but they have you lie around afterwards?

12-10-2008, 08:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tia38 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: USA Posts: 3,466	Haven't had an amnio myself, but wanted to wish you luck. I'm one of the 'waited for nuchal scan and then waited for level 2 u/s' before deciding on amnio both times (at 39 and now at 41). There is no right/wrong answers. Glad you have a plan. I don't know how far along you are, but if you don't already have info on other pre-natal testing (like the nuchal scan, which timing wise comes before amnio) I would ask about it. Here's a starter link for my clinic (in Boston): http://www.massgeneral.org/vincent/prenatal.htm It may be more info that you want to take in at this point, but as you get more settled you may want to read up a bit. I'll add that many of us never get fully 'settled' -- after IF it's often hard to relax during pg -- it's very normal. Congrats on your pg. Wishing you a happy, healthy and uneventful pg. :-) Cheers, -Tia

12-10-2008, 10:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
4cats 200-299 post 4 of hearts Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: nyc Posts: 203	Thank you!!! My OB went over some blood screening you have to do twice, the CVS which I decided was too risky, and the amnio. Though I am scheduled to go in week 13 and I'm pretty sure it's for the nuchal scan. Sometimes she automatically takes the no risk precautions because of my age (I'm 40). Like giving me the prescrition pre-natals which I noticed have much higher doses of folic acid as well as some other things. Right now I'm 12wks1d. I didn't schedule my Ob appointment until I 'passed' my RE 8wk u/s because I was so afraid I wouldn't make it!

12-10-2008, 11:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
Tia38 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: USA Posts: 3,466	Wow! You're in a great place (timing wise). Best of luck as you continue forward. One unsolicited comment on b/w -- many 35+ do not do a triple or quad screen due to 'known false positives' (although since it's a screening false positive is not the right word). I believe the b/w they do with a nuchal scan is a subset of the triple screen, but don't know the details. If the b/w you do twice is the triple or quad screen, I would ask specifically about age factors. I also didn't consider CVS seriously due to risk; I had my nuchal scan earlier enough that if it had raised serious issues I might have considered CVS (which has a very early time window) but more likely would have pressed on for amnio. Sounds like your ducks are in a row, or at least all fairly near together. Wishing you all the best! -Tia

12-12-2008, 06:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
4cats 200-299 post 4 of hearts Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: nyc Posts: 203	Thank you! Right now I'm getting stressed before my appointment next week. I'll post an update.