Amnio Support Thread

[QueenofWhispers]

Hi girls,

Looks like I have to have an Amnio. I'm only 12 weeks now, but will have to wait till 15 to get one. In the mean time I'd like to hang out with others who could really be support for me (and I could be support for you) during this time of 'nothing'.

[mrsbigz]

Hey there, I had annio a couple of years ago - same scenario as I was over 12 wks and had to wait those extra weeks until I was 15wks. I remember that feeling like it was yesterday, like being stuck in time - almost a surreal experience. Am here if you have any questions about the amino process I'm happy to answer.
Love mrsB x

[QueenofWhispers]

Hi Mrs.B!

what was your outcome? How are you and what should I expect?

[mb2512cat]

Can they not give you a CVS?

[QueenofWhispers]

I thought Amnio was safer? will you tell me the difference in your opinion?

[mrsbigz]

Hey my outcome was not so good I'm afraid. My 12 wk scan had shown a raised nuchal of 7.5mm so were already concerns over the general health of the baby - particularly related to poss. brain damage as so much fluid was at the base of the neck. The amnio (which although highly uncomfortable) was not painful as I'd imagined,and was very quick. The results showed our baby had ds which was not such a shock with 1:5 odds. But of most concern was the high nuchal, we had a detailed heart scan at the JR at 16wks which also was not lookin positive so we took the dreadfully hard decision to end the pg
I think the amnio itself has slightly lower risk factors than a cvs nut actually these days both procedures are quite safe - if a m/c happens the I would think it would have been likely to happen anyway. Sorry I'm not sounding so positive for you. I have since gone on to have a baby boy, we had a private 12scan with him and following that were confident enough to avoid any further invasive testing. He did have his own problems raised at the 20wk scan but they are all resolved now. Phew what as essay!
Hope the week is not dragging too much am happy to provide more details on the amnio procedure of you would like me to? X

[QueenofWhispers]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss...but I am so happy to hear that you were successful in having a baby boy. It's magical having a child.

I'm just worried about how I'm going to cope with waiting for an Amnio; if I'm 13 weeks when can I get an Amnio?

[lostlove]

Can you not still have a CVS?

For me, personally, there's not a big enough difference in risk to justify waiting longer for an amnio, with the possibility of then having a much later termination.

[lostlove]

And you were correct in your OP - amnio is usually performed at 15 to 20 weeks.

[massagegirl]

Hi there,
Ask about cvs. Small risk too. They tried to give me one but my placenta was in awkward place, so I had to wait a couple of weeks for an amnio... Those weeks really sucked, in such a horrible limbo, just wanted you to know you're not alone. My odds were 1:12 amnio was clear as we're follow up heart scans. The amnio was fine, I had one second of pain which made me say ouch and that was it... You'll be totally fine. Just try and zone out, deep breathe etc x

[QueenofWhispers]

Can CVS happen at anytime?

[lostlove]

You might find this chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis information from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists useful - it's very thorough and, given the source, authoritative.

[Pizdets]

QueenofWhispers, we were in this position last summer, couldn't have CVS due to a tilted uterus and posterior placenta so we didn't have much choice but to wait it out until 15 weeks for the amnio. The waiting was horrible so you have my full sympathy! Had we been able to have CVS we would have, it's worth asking at your hospital about the odds for the person carrying it out too - for our amnio, although we were told the risk was 1:100, the consultant said in fact she'd never lost a healthy baby after performing the procedure.

She also said to bear in mind that the 1/2 in 100 number is for ALL miscarriages after the procedure is performed (we were told there was a high chance I would miscarry while we were waiting as the baby was very poorly).

As for the amnio itself, I found it almost painless, I've had more painful blood samples! I didn't have any pain or bleeding afterwards either. It's different for everyone but just wanted to reassure you that is can be (and often is) a very straightforward procedure.

Thinking of you and wishing you best of luck!

Piz

[FluffyDucky]

Just found out today I have a 1 on 40 risk and am going to have the amnio. Although by my dates I am 12 weeks I was measuring at 14 weeks. So scared.