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Antenatal tests

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Original poster

Could anyone tell me about the amnio process?

32 replies

Cuppaplease · 23/01/2014 20:21

I've got an amnio booked for Monday and am feeling apprehensive about it. If anybody has had one, would you mind sparing a minute to tell me how you found it. Was it painful? How long did it take? That sort of thing. Thanks in advance

OP posts:

Starballbunny · 23/01/2014 20:33

It's 16 years ago, but I don't remember it hurting at all. It was very much like going for a scan and done in the usual scan room, with the same ultrasound staff. (DH rather liked the trainee radiographer).

They scan all the time they are putting the needle in and drawing up the fluid, so as to be sure they are in the right place. I watched quite happily, I always watch blood tests and injections, I tense up less that way. Also I found it reassuring to see no blood in the sample.

Clearly looking away or closing your eyes and thinking of your favourite meal or holiday beach is equally acceptable. I just don't.

Good luck and may the outcome be good news.

That little bean is 16 next week and taller than me!

Original poster

Cuppaplease · 23/01/2014 20:37

Thankyou so much for replying, it's good to hear that it wasn't too painful, and lovely that all worked out well for you. I'm fine with needles and things so hopefully it will be straightforward. I think it's the thought of the unknown more than anything

OP posts:

kazza446 · 23/01/2014 20:46

I had one 6 year's ago. Can't remember too much about it tbh. There was a slight discomfort as needle went in but it was relatively short. My tummy was a little sore for a few days but nothing major. Good luck xx

Original poster

Cuppaplease · 23/01/2014 20:52

Thankyou kazza. I hadn't really thought too much about afterwards. Were you able to carry on with normal life afterwards? For example, do you think I'll be able to push the pushchair with our two year old in it ok?

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TKKW · 23/01/2014 21:22

I had one after 1:55 chance of down's. No hesitation from me or DH as we just had to know and our risk of baby with condition was higher than risk of miscarriage

I had the exact same experience as Starballbunny.

I had mine on a Thursdsay. We has a scan to see where baby was. Then the Consultant found a good place to out needle in and kept holding the scanner or the midwife did (cant remember as I needed to look away all through out) and the needle was out in. I thought the needle looked huge.

The needle felt much more penetrating than a normal blood test in the arm. It felt tight like a column was being pushed into my stomach and then like pressure in a column when the fluid was being drawn out. I would say, like a sharp tight slow stab going in and a pull/pinch sensation coming out.

I am not fantastic with needles and my DH and talked utter rubbish in high speed for the 3 or so mins the needle was drawing out fluid out.

I was advised to take the next day off work if I could and just not do much heavy stuff.

That night I did very little and felt a bit tender around belly. The next day (friday), I unpacked some shopping, did light tasks like lift laundry etc. I felt shaky but think that was more nerves as I was worried about miscarriage.

On the saturday I was at a wedding all weekend but DH did lift our 2.5 year old about alot. I was lifting/carrying our DC about that evening and then as normal all sunday.

I think I would have been fine lifting about 24 hours after but DH was like "no, im here to do that". Consultant just said, don't lift if you can avoid it. Yes... that vague!!

How much walking do you need to do with your toddler in the chair? Can someone help with the lifting?

TKKW · 23/01/2014 21:25

Oh, no, that sounded a bit negative, it wasn't great but, honestly, it really wasn't terrible or traumatising. You will not like it but im sure you wont find it that bad. You will be fine!

Original poster

Cuppaplease · 23/01/2014 21:37

Thanks tkkw, it's good to hear people's experiences. I find it helps me to prepare for it somehow. There's no-one who can help out unfortunately, we haven't told anyone about the pregnancy, and I'll need to get our older children from school so will have to just walk slowly and gently I think!

OP posts:

Marma1ad3 · 23/01/2014 21:44

I had one two weeks ago for a downs rick. The process was fine, no pain although it felt a bit weird. You are aware something is happening but that's it. No pain, no discomfort, just weird.

They take a lot of time to reassure you :)

TKKW · 23/01/2014 21:47

yes, i think a slow walk. Tell your consultant you need to do the school run by walking with your children and see what they say - Im sure they'll say take it easy on the walk.

will you let us know how it goes?

Original poster

Cuppaplease · 23/01/2014 21:50

Of course. I could do with a bit of support. It's all been a bit of a shock tbh. Risk came back at 1:100 today but at least they can fit me in quickly

OP posts:

Starballbunny · 24/01/2014 02:20

That was the exactly the same risk as mine. DH and I had agreed we'd go ahead with the amnio if the risk of downs equalled or was greater than the risk of MC from the amnio.

Just my sodding luck to hit exactly equal.

laraeo · 24/01/2014 03:15

I had one about 6 years ago too. Again, no real issues but I was told not to go back to work (teacher). They didn't want me on my feet all day and lugging gear around plus the concern of secondary students running roughshod all over the place. I believe I was just told to "take it easy" so I walked to my local coffee shop as a treat afterwards.

kazza446 · 24/01/2014 19:10

Good luck for Monday cuppaplease will be thinking of you. X

MangroveGirl · 24/01/2014 19:19

I have had 2. First one the nurse said it would feel like a deep period pain and that was exactly what it felt like. The 2nd I think hit a nerve on the way in and was not nice.

I had them because of my age and after both dh drove me home and I put my feet up for a couple of days as I really was being careful.

massagegirl · 24/01/2014 21:09

Hey. I had 1:12 risk. Consultant was lovely, they scanned throughout to check all is well, I was asked if I wanted to see heartbeat etc. I just closed my eyes. It was over really quickly, I had a second of sharpe period pain but literally a second. I felt totally fine afterwards and dr said to carry on as normal, though I decided to take it easy on the sofa for the rest of the day. Good luck xx

VodIsGod · 24/01/2014 22:34

I had one about 4 years ago. I don't remember it being painful, just a bit uncomfortable. I found it helped to look away from the screen. I didn't want to see the scan image of the needle going in - too weird!

Interestingly when I went in for mine I entered a trial for a non-invasive test. They took blood tests and intended to make a clinical assessment for genetic anomalies using them and then compare the results with the results of the amnio. Hopefully it'll mean there is an alternative in years to come...

I hope it all goes well for you.

Hanzym · 25/01/2014 12:12

Hiya,
I had to have 2 with my pregnancy (which is totally unheard of) but I would say it's just uncomfortable rather than painful, to be honest I was focusing more on my little baby on the screen so that took my mind off things, the midwife gave me good advice as I never sit and relax, she said whilst the risk of miscarriage is very low if you sit and do nothing for 3-4 days after it's best!
Good luck, I'll keep checking back to see how you get on, it's a nervous time during the wait xxx

Original poster

Cuppaplease · 25/01/2014 19:55

Thankyou everyone for your kind words and for sharing your experiences with me. It's really touching that people are thinking of us. I'll post after it's done to say how it went. DH has got Monday off so I won't need to do the school run that day which is good, and I'll be taking the other days slow and steady

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Original poster

Cuppaplease · 27/01/2014 15:00

Well it's all done! It was actually a lot more painful than I was expecting as the consultant couldn't puncture the membrane of the sac, it was very tough apparently. It took a fair few attempts but she managed it in the end, so now we just have to wait for the results to come in. Walking afterwards has been more difficult than I expected so I will be taking it more easy than I had thought I would need to. Thankyou to everyone who has posted on the thred, it was a big help

OP posts:

laraeo · 27/01/2014 20:31

Sorry to hear it was more painful than some of us experienced.

I hope your results come quickly.

kazza446 · 27/01/2014 21:17

Good luck with your results. Hope they don't take ages, waiting sucks x

kazza446 · 27/01/2014 21:18

Good luck with your results. Hope they don't take ages, waiting sucks x

VodIsGod · 28/01/2014 18:36

Ouch, thank goodness it's all over. Hope the results arrive soon.

Original poster

Cuppaplease · 29/01/2014 13:15

I've just had the call from the hospital, the results are back already, and everything is ok! All clear for Downs, Edwards and Patau's syndromes. The call took me totally off guard as we were told it would be tomorrow before we heard. I didnt realise I had been so tense about it but i've had a little weep and it feels as though a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders now that we know. Thankyou to everyone on the thread. Now we can start to tell people about the pregnancy, starting with our children this evening!

OP posts:

laraeo · 29/01/2014 19:52

Good news & I hope the rest of your pregnancy is uneventful!

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