Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Antenatal tests

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

To have amnio or not? Please help!

32 replies

MrsW1911 · 27/03/2015 22:51

I'm really worried about the risk of having a miscarriage. But I also know that I need to find out of my baby has any genetic conditions. My baby has exomphalos which carries a 30% chance of another disorder like Down's, Edwards etc but I just can't help worrying I'll cause a miscarriage by having the test! My husband is insisting and I so feel the same but I'm slightly torn.... ARGH!

OP posts:

KittyandTeal · 29/03/2015 09:44

Ah if you have a risk of other chromosomal or genetic issues other than just T13, T18 or T21 then an amnio may well be best.

Original poster

MrsW1911 · 29/03/2015 11:12

Ok thank you everyone. I do need to reiterate that my husband isn't pressuring me, he just sees it as that's what we have to do. So that's what we'll do. Whereas because I'm a woman, a new mother (hopefully!) and a worrier I think of everything else outside the box, that's all.

Thank you everyone you have helped me feel better about this situation. Xx

OP posts:

flamingtoaster · 29/03/2015 11:18

I had amnios for both my pregnancies because of my age. For the first one nobody mentioned taking it easy afterwards so DH and I went shopping in a large shopping centre. At the second one I was told to take it easy for the rest of the day but with a toddler at home all I could do was just rested as much as I could. Both pregnancies continued perfectly. However, I would advise you to rest afterwards! Hope the results are reassuring.

daluze · 29/03/2015 12:52

Sorry you are going through this. The risks of miscarriage after amnio come from old studies, when ultrasound equipment was not as good, and the risks were higher. A lot of doctors consider that the miscarriage after procedure happens only if it happened anyway.
Harmony only tests for 3 most common trisomies, so if there is considerable risk of other chromosomal condition, then it is of little use.
I had CVS during my first pregnancy, and the procedure was fine. Waiting for results is another matter - but for me it was much better than not knowing till birth.
Sending you hugs xx

AnxiousKeziah · 31/03/2015 19:23

We had the private Harmony test due to a 1:40 risk from Nt and bloods. Refused cvs and Amnio. Got low risk of all 3 main chromosomal issues and were relieved the baby was ok.
BUT despite the words low risk it is only a screening test and not yet though trials for NHS - and at 20 week scan we had 2 markers for Edwards/DS. Then after that the baby began struggling, IUGR and told to have an Amnio after 29 weeks so they knew when to deliver/what the issues were. Amnio done no issue. Sadly my baby was born asleep due to the chromosomal/brain/IUGR issues he had at 31 weeks. Birth not linked to Amnio.

What did I learn? I love him. I lost him. That Harmony is not a diagnostic test and whilst many people get low risk and it is, it is not accurate 100%. We would not have had a tmfr personally but knowing earlier may have reduced some of my distress - as my head planned a future that could never be.
If knowing is important then a cvs or an Amnio is the only current diagnostic tool.

KittyandTeal · 31/03/2015 20:09

I have to say I agree with keziah.

If I am lucky enough to get pregnant I will have a harmony test early on on the basis that it might pick something up, also understanding that it may not pick up mosaic forms and sometimes doesn't get it right (like it in keziahs sad case). I say this as if it came back high risk I would definitely then have a cvs or amnio.

If you are further into the pregnancy and you want a positive/negative screen than an amnio is your best bet.

Mama1980 · 31/03/2015 20:25

My youngest son had several soft markers, fluid, heart and bowel, that showed on his scans. I personally chose not to have the amnio, as I would not have terminated no matter what (just my personal choice) and for other health reasons I was never going to carry to full term, so in that way I had less chance to think and decide. My son was delivered at 24 weeks, his issues were corrected and he's now two and perfectly healthy. But it could have been very different and I went in eyes open.
Having related my choice I have to also say I don't know anyone who has a bad outcome directly due to amnio, so if you need to know and you may act differently depending on the results then I think for your peace of mind maybe have it, there is no other as effective diagnostic test.
I truly wish you all the best x

Flip

1 2