Anxiety and Scared - Amniocentesis

[b0nnieN]

I'm 23 weeks today and had to make a decision on Monday whether or not to have a amniocentesis procedure. Due to contracting the virus my scan was pushed out until Monday which was when they found that the baby's FL was measuring at 8.5mm which is above normal thickness. I'm so scared of either a miscarriage now or the results..
I know it was my choice to go through with the aminos but with the time constraints it was the only way for me to find out - as I'm close to the 24weeks cut of point for a termination if we go down that route..

Any mum experience going through the amniocentesis and what was your outcome? I'm full of anxiety right now 😢

I have not been in your exact position, but some similar elements. I had amnio at around 16 weeks to check for a genetic condition in my twins. The procedure itself was totally fine and the risks are very low.

For totally separate reasons I then went into pre term labour at 23 weeks and lost my babies. It was extremely, extremely hard. They were perfectly healthy.

However, I know if I had found out there was a problem that meant my babies would have died (which they would have with the genetic issue) I would have made the decision to terminate - even at a late stage. It would have been harder for me to continue with the pregnancy.

Sending you hugs

@Bumbers I'm so sorry to hear that... it must have been such a difficult time for you. Was the preterm labour linked to you having the aminos?

No, no link to the amnio. It was more than 7 weeks after and everything had been perfect in between. Pre term labour likely caused by a more recent infection.

Had a CVS, so similar to an amnio but taking a placenta sample and not the fluid. I wont lie, it was a little uncomfortable, but no more so than the flu vaccine or the whooping cough vaccine. The first injection is just a local anaesthetic. The next needle hurts a little more as they've number the skin, but cant numb the womb so you do feel a little pinch as it goes in. I'd imagine that they just take the fluid and all done then :)

They say that some cramping etc. Is normal and to take paracetamol and all that, but I had no cramping, no bleeding no tummy ache (except where I had the initial injection) it was honestly fine. There was also 2 assistants in the room with the doctor and he scanned the baby before and after to show me they were all okay and I got a few free photos to take home.

Mine was due to a 1 in 30 risk of down syndrome, we dealt with the anxiety by making a decision on what we would do if it was a positive and that really helped us deal with the worrying.

The risk is a GENERAL risk for the entire UK, my consultant was very, very experienced and so had an extremely low miscarriage rate so will most consultants, I believe the risk is also much lower for later procedures :)

Sending big hugs x

I'm not sure if you've had it or are waiting to have it so I just put all my experience in lol xx