should I have an amnio?

[allyco]

anyone got experience of having/deciding not to have an amnio? I had a nuchal translucency can on Friday which came up screen positive and have been told the only sure-fire way to known for sure about Down's is to have an amnio.

Trouble is, I am SCARED. I have previously had miscarriages and can hardly comprehend I might do something which might cause one. On the other hand, I'm not sure I can manage the next 25 weeks worrying that there might be something wrong, there might not, etc. etc.

Help and advice, please?

Went through this with DS - most awful weeks of my life - especially when I wanted to be enjoying my pregnancy.
Some comments - if you wouldn't terminate - don't have the amnio. Why risk it if you don't act anyay.
Think about your family life and how it might change or not change.
Think about your own dealing with the "not knowing".
In the end I couldn't rest - I was a nervous wreck with the not knowing, and had the test. I realised that whatever else I couldn't spend the rest of my pregnancy in that stressed and worried state. Particularly as that was going to be my last pregnancy and I wanted to enjoy it.
Depends on the sort of person you are. Good luck whatever you decide.

For what it's worth, if I ever pregnant again I wouldn't have the nuchal, but just have the amnio straight off.

I had an amnio when pregnant with ds. the actual procedure isn't particularly comfortable but the peace of mind I got afterward was worth it. I had it done by an OB who specializes in high risk pregnancies and so her rate of miscarriage afterward was quite low. I did like the peace of mind knowing that ds had no genetic abnormalities. I think that, even if you know that you will not terminate the pregnance, having the knowledge beforehand of a problem can be quite useful.

well, have been thinking about this since Friday adn my thinking (today anyway) is that we won't have an amnio. If there is anything wrong then I can't do anything about it, but if there isn't and I miscarried then I couldn't cope with that!!
Was advised by foetal medicine midwife at hospital to contact Leeds Screening Centre for a quadruple blood test which costs £50.00 and which may refine my risk downwards so have been in touch with them today. Has anyone else had this test?

Thank you MNers for all your advice and experiences (but I will still be worried until s/he arrives!!) xx