Talk to me about amniocentesis

[FruitBadger]

Currently pregnant with DC2, 20 week scan showed bilateral talipes. I've had a more detailed scan from a Consultant at a Fetal Medicine Unit, who has confirmed what my local hospital found. Fortunately no other indicators or anything else unusual and I was low risk as a result of blood tests at 12 week scan.

But I'm worrying about the unknown

We have been offered an amniocentesis, if that's what we'd like and I want to make a decision by the end of the weekend.

So, can you tell me about amniocentesis, please? I've read the leaflets we've been given and Googled, but it's not the same as actually lying there and having it done. So if anyone can help to describe it a little bit more, I'd really appreciate it, thank you.

I had amniocentesis carried out yesterday, as a follow up scan in fetal medicine showed a lot of indications of potential genetic issues.

The procedure itself was fast and uncomfortable, but not painful. I found the hardest part staying absolutely still, so that they could see the needle on the scan while they did it.

I have had some minor cramps around where the needle was inserted, but not as bad as period pains - I didn't feel the need for painkillers.

They also took blood from me and my husband so that, if they found anomalies, they can see if they are Ines that we also have, which may indicate that they are harmless.

We were told that the results would take up to a week for the simple test (to identify Down's syndrome and two other relatively common genetic disorders) then up to an additional week for the full results.

I hope you get good results.

Thank you k1yx, did they use any anaesthetic at all? And did you take any tine off work, other than just to go for the test?

No, there wasn't any anaesthetic, but it didn't feel necessary. It wasn't any worse, pain wise, than a vaccination.

I've arranged to take time off work for emotional, rather than physical reasons - the number and severity of issues identified in our scan meant that the consultant said that there is almost certainly a severe genetic disorder, they just don't know which one. This doesn't sound like it's the case for you, if they only saw talipes, which I think is normally a stand alone issue, rather than an indication of a genetic problem? I'm sure you're consultant or midwife can guide you on this, better than me, though!

After the amniocentesis, I was advised not to do lots of walking or lifting for a couple of days, but gentle walks and generally moving around a bit was good as it reduces the risk of clots.

If you have a negative blood type, you would need an anti D injection within 3 days of the procedure

Hey. Sorry to hear you're having a stressful time. I had an amnio around that gestation. I was scared beforehand, but fortunately I found the procedure straightforward. They didn't use an anaesthetic, it's not really needed. I did find it a little bit painful but not terrible. My partner held my hand and the consultant doing it was really fantastic. It was over quickly. Then I took two days off work and watched Netflix/at ice cream.

I had worried excessively about ththat miscarriage risk beforehand, but I did loads of research and in fact it seems the miscarriage rate it much lower than the oft quoted 1%.

Good luck and be kind to yourself.

Thank you both for sharing your experiences, I really appreciate it. After lots of thinking and talking DH and I have decided to have the test done and it's booked for Friday for you both and thinking of you particularly k1yx whilst you wait for your results.