My wife has just had an amnio. It was very distressing for us both, and painful for her. The pain lasts for over 48 hours. We are grateful that she did not miscarry. (A 1% chance with this procedure.) However we had been given a 1:15 chance that our baby would be a downs baby.(7%). We were devastated. I am writing to mumsnet to thank you for the other posts which put this all in perspective. We both decided that we had to know, as my wife has direct experience with the care of downs children. She did not want to go ahead with carrying a downs baby and I fully supported her. Thankfully, the results came through today as negative. DON'T GIVE UP HOPE!!!! We are now expecting a baby girl. we are so happy. The screening is just that. It is not definitive!!!!!!!!