amnio test

[Sunshine8537]

I have just had my booking appointment and they offered me an amnio test to rule out genetic abnormalities. Last time I had bloods first and then if it came back high risk would be offered the amnio. However due to my age (40) I think they have offered it to me right away.

im not sure what to do. The risk of miscarriage is 1% and midwife said by this point in pregnancy the risk of miscarriage is 1% anyway so its whether I’d want to know or not - the test however is 100% accurate. She said they could do another blood test which is 99% accurate.

i’d love to hear of any experiences.
thank you.

@Sunshine8537 def get the NIPT/harmony blood test first!! I was told by my consultant no one gets amnio first as it carries risk, and he was quite firm about that. I got blood test and thankfully it came back low risk - I'm in my 40s and it hasn't impacted the care I get other than I get more appts with a consultant.

Agree with above, unusual to offer amnio straight up given that the NIPT blood test is so good for the age related chromosome conditions (unless there’s other background history you haven’t mentioned). Some women feel really strongly about wanting the 100% accurate information that the amnio would give, and don’t mind about the risk, but your post doesn’t seem like you feel so strongly about it.

Your midwife isn’t quite right - the risk with amniocentesis is an added risk above your background risk - numbers are quoted differently depending on your location but somewhere between 1/100 and 1/1000 extra risk due to the needle. In general I would say you should get a good scan at 12-14 weeks as well as NIPT and if that’s all normal no need for amnio.

I’ve had an amnio for a previous pregnancy that presented as high risk. It was definitely the right choice, knowing that I don’t have the capacity or resources to bring a child into the world that would require the financial, emotional and logistical resources I just didn’t have to spare. I would have the amnio personally unless you know the results don’t matter to you.

The fetal medicine team phoned me and explained I wouldn’t have to have the amino right away and explained the other options - which I knew already. The midwife was insisted though because of my DD condition - which isn’t genetic and my age. I will have the amino is all other tests come back as high risk