Amnio - can't decide :(

[MrsT1980]

I'm 14+3 and I received a phone call yesterday to say my screening at my dating scan 10days ago has come back with a higher risk than expected 1/40. The babies fluid neck measurement and my age is fine but it's my hormone level which has triggered the high risk label as I have 3 times the amount of hormones they expected. I have been offered an amniocenticis next week but I just don't know what to do for fear of miscarriage! I feel like I need to know tho to prepare myself as this last 48hrs has been stressful and worrying. I can't afford the safe private test so is my only option. Has anyone experienced anything like it similar to this and how did it turn out? Did anyone miscarry and how was baby xx

oh you poor thing, so sorry you are having such a stress.

is the harmony test what you mean by the private test? i THINK i have read on here that kings in london do it without charging the 500, might be worth googling a bit to see if you can find anything on it?

if it helps at all, my friend got told she was 1 in 6, so she had the amnio - baby fine and absolutely no ill-effects from the amnio.

fingers crossed xx

I had the nifty test recently which was £350 which l know is still a lot but not as much as Harmony.

the problem with the Harmony and Nifty tests is that they aren't diagnostic tests. They are just a newer version of the NT scan/blood test screening. You still get 'odds'. So for confirmation you'd still need an amnio anyway.

I think the post I just wrote disappeared because of my crap Internet connection. Apologies if I'm repeating myself.
First question I'd ask you is what would you do if you got a positive result for a chromosomal condition?
Personally I needed to know because I wouldn't continue with an incompatible with life diagnosis.
I had a cvs. its slightly higher risk, but by all accounts the risk factor for either is quite out dated. its much safer nowadays.
1 in 40 is still good odds against, but to me knowledge is power. We had a diagnosis of Downs. I had 6 months to come to terms, spread the word and prepare myself. I wouldn't have wanted to find out after birth when I was exhausted and hormonal and then have to break the news to the rest of the world.
By the time she was born everyone had composed themselves and were able to be calm and supportive.
I'd say have the test. You'll know definitively.
FWIW, DD is the easiest, most beautiful, amazing baby that I've ever had and I wouldn't change her for ANYTHING!

Isn't there something called a CVS which has a lower risk of miscarriage?

Hi MrsT.

I am awaiting my amnio appointment. I terrified so understand completely how you are feeling. In fact I posted something very similar to you on another page.

The private test doesn't screen for everything. Which is a shame because otherwise we would find the money to avoid having the invasive test but hey, let's go with it. This is the way I am looking at it and trust me, I am being very brave here because I have the same worries as you.... I am having the amnio because a) if baby is fine then FABULOUS!!! b) if baby has Down's syndrome we will be having the baby and he/she is just extra special!! C) if baby had something which is not compatible with life such as Edwards or something which means it'll have no quality of life and therefore is unfair to bring it into the world, it's not going to be good for me to go through the full pregnancy and for the babs to go through the trauma of birth for nothing.

It's about being prepared. Chance are it'll all be fine, but if not it is better, for your health and for little one to know.

Of course though, this is only my opinion. Midwife told me that many women don't have the amnio and are happy just to continue with the pregnancy and see what happens. That is ok too. I am just sharing with you my plan and I hope you are ok and make the right decision for you and your partner. Lots of love xxx

I believe that CVS can be taken sooner than the Amnio, but has a higher risk of miscarriage. Amnio is done at approx 16weeks, results taking (in our area) 2 weeks to return.
I have had an amnio in this pregnancy and I would do it again faced with the same dilemma. We were able to afford the Harmony, but still chose Amnio instead as we needed a diagnostic yes or no. Although, I appreciate that the Harmony test comes back with a 1/10000 result which is also incredible results. A friend due a week after me went this route and is completely satisfied with her result.

We were also told that the hormone part of the test was likely to be giving us the high risk result (although I think my age also played a part) but that hormones change daily - so take the test one day and you could be high risk, take it another day and it could come in low, take it another and it could be even higher. Hence why it is a combination of all of the factors that gives the overall result.

The risk of miscarriage with amnio is 1/100 (1%) so is actually very low. You have a 99% chance of everything being absolutely fine, and as our councillor explained - if you had a 99% chance of winning the lottery, you would play. BUT, someone has to be the 1% and that is why there is a risk. The risk of miscarriage increases to 1% over the first 7 days following the procedure, day 3-7 being the riskiest and then reduces down until day 14 where you would go back to a 'normal' pregnancy, with the same associated risks as any other pregnancy.
I just did everything I could to reduce the risks. Work knew what was going on and I took two weeks off (which they kindly signed off as sick). I lay on the sofa and chilled (as much as I could with a 12month old!).
Our results came back clear of all conditions and we didn't miscarry. I am now 35weeks and everything is going smoothly.

We needed to know as its not just about Downs, but also about conditions that are unlikely to make your pregnancy full term or potential very short lifespans after labour.

I hope this isn't too much information, and only you can decide. But I felt that the more I knew, the more I could make an informed choice.
Good luck with whatever you decide xx

Thank u everyone for your replies. I decided against Cvs as the higher risk of misc. Everytime I think I've decided on amnio I change my mind. My husband is really supportive and says he will be happy with whatever I choose. I have a 5,3 and 1 yr old and my hubby will be away next week with the army so there would be no such luck try try and relax afterwards. I may postpone it from Tuesday till he's back at least. Xx

Maybe talk to ARC?

For me, I wouldn't risk the MC as I've been through too many. I would like the preparation if something were wrong though, so would opt for an amnio near term if soft markers were present on the detail scan. This way the baby gets minimal intervention for maximal knowledge gain on my part. Not for everyone though, and I know a lot of people would terminate for some medical conditions which waiting for a later amnio makes much much tougher.

Good luck.