Could you please share your Amniocentesis test experience?

[Aps26]

Hi lovely moms,

I am expecting. Recently I got to know in my 1st scan that I am at high risk of down's syndrome. My midwife suggested there are further test options. So I opted for Amniocentesis. But this is making me crazy. I have an appointment in Jan and it's hard to stay positive. Also, I am really scared about the procedure. Could you please share your experiences? Thanks

Hello and sorry to hear that this is happening in your pregnancy. I had amniocentesis recently at 16 weeks because although I screened low risk for downs/edwards/pataus, the initial nuchal measurement was high. I couldn’t handle the uncertainty so felt like for my sanity I needed to do the amnio to get some answers. Truly the worst part was sitting in the waiting room. They did a very detailed scan, decided the best place to get the sample, sprayed on some very cold antiseptic type spray, someone held my hand, and although the sensation of the needle was weird and unpleasant, it wasn’t exactly painful? Sort of like nerve pain - hitting your funny bone? That sort of thing. Honestly it was the thought of it all that was worse than the reality. It was very quick and I kept my eyes shut! The medical team were wonderful and supportive. I had minimal pain afterwards, didn’t need painkillers, and rested up for a couple of days with no ill effects. Initial results came back in 3 days and the full results in just over a week. All was fine.

Im now at 21 weeks and feel like I have been on a horrible rollercoaster since the 12 week scan. But baby is oblivious and appears to be growing well.

Sending you strength and sending up a wee prayer for you and baby. x

@Surprisepregnancy1 Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I am happy that everything is fine with you. All the best for your future.
I just hope results will come normal for me 🤞

@Aps26 hi there 😘 I had an amnio in my pregnancy after a high NT reading (4.7mm) and low risk NIPT. It took a while for me to decide but we wanted all chromosomes looked at /
to know as much as possible around any potential diagnosis we may be facing. I found the scan before more stressful than anything else - just because of my anxiety at something being found…everything was within normal ranges though and the procedure itself I hardly felt. I practised deep breathing whilst looking at the ceiling and it was over so quickly. I left with the world’s smallest plaster and my results appeared to be clear. Said baby is now 2.5 years and seemingly very healthy! I hope you have a positive outcome xxx

@jmm499 Thank you so much for sharing your experience and advice. I am just trying to be positive as much as I can. Left everything on God.

I had mine yesterday. It really wasn’t as bad as I’d imagined it to be. My partner was in with me holding my 1 year old who just kept waving at me.

I had a detailed scan before it, and probably stayed for 5 minutes after.
It was uncomfortable, a strange deep internal discomfort maybe twice, where I screwed my eyes shut, but I just tried to relax and kept deep breathing. I felt like my bladder was being poked. I chose to watch it on the screen too, but it wasn’t that interesting!
It seemed to take slightly longer than I thought, but it still only took a few minutes.
I had some cramping yesterday and more today, but just like a period pain and I’ve take paracetamol. I do feel exhausted though so I’ve slept as much as I could.

We get the first few results on Tuesday when I go back for a check up scan, and then the rest of the results take 3 weeks. I’m not really sure which results are the quick one and which take 3 weeks though.

I had a NIPT test at 11 weeks due to being aged 39, which came back with high risk for trisomy x. We chose to have the amniocentesis to get an accurate diagnosis so that we can educate ourselves and look for specialists before she is born. The risk to the baby is actually lower than 1% and when I asked the doctor, she said she has been performing them for 6 years and on average does one per week. That made me feel better too.

It’s not pleasant, but it’s not the worst thing ever and it’s over with pretty quickly.

Hope all goes well for you! X

@ExPatbythesea Many thanks for sharing your experience and I hope all is well with your baby. Thank you for your wishes. 🙂