Who here has had amnio?

[ez]

I'd appreciate anything you could tell me about your experience. Thanks.

 

[KathyFP]

I did - realtivelt painless. I had to just rest for a few hours after the procedure.

 

[6_Time_Momma]

I've had four. They were on the relatively uncomfortable side for me.

Personally, unless there was a real need, I would have to put my vote in for not having one (not due to the discomfort, thouh) . I will never have another.

PM me if you wish.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have had 2. I also was in a bad state and in pre-term labor. Despite all of that they handled it very well.

 

[4greatboys]

I have had 2 of them and neither one was bad. They do the us to find a good area to stick in the needle they also numb the area so you dont really feel the needle going in. It was over pretty fast. I did take it very easy for the rest of the day following each one.

 

[popeyeohoh]

I had one. I would not do it again. The Drs. can tell alot by an ultrasound. Everything was fine. No pain but on top of the Drs. saying that there was a chance of downs (not) There is also a chance for miscarriage. I was only 33 treated me like i was of advanced maternal age. Just be informed before going ahead

 

[mamajoan]

long hx of high risk pregnancies for me.... I have had over 10.. yup lost count after 10 amnios. I had them early on and at the very end of pregnancies. Never had any complications from the procedures for the babies or me.

The procedure is done in conjunction with an Ultrasound, so the doc can be sure of needle placement. Some docs will numb the injection site.. some won't... had it both ways.. and the no numb was like a deep pinch for me. Once the needle is inserted I felt pressure, no pain. It was a bit nerve racking as we were deeply concerned with the results of the tests. I did hyperventilate due to a case of nervousness the first test..but that was quickly solved by the doc and RN. The following amnios were just as important and performed by a series of various docs and techs at different hospitals during each of my pregnancies, but I have NEVER encountered a problem with the procedure itself.

My amnios were necessary due to the high risk nature of my pregnancies. I will say that without them I would have not been able to deliver the healthy babies who have grown into healthy adults. I feel that the amnio is a much more conclusive test for a number of possible diagnosis. This Information is important when you need to make decisions regarding health issues.
feel free to pm me if ou have any other ? or concerns you feel I could address.
Best wishes!

 

[Pete's Mom]

Mamajoan pretty much described the same procedure I had when I was 28 with Pete. The AFP test came back and said I was at high risk for Downs so the next step was an amnio. Maybe I am just a big girl, but mine hurt like hell. About 2 hours later I had the worst cramps (felt like painful period cramps) and I was all sweaty and cold! I was so afraid that I was having a miscarriage. All turned out well, I was fine the next day, but I have to say that was one of the scariest and most difficult times of my life! Good luck to you!

The good part about it is that they can determine the sex of the baby with 100% accuracy with the amnio!

 

[flrose]

Well, ez it looks like you got quite a few responses to your question. I would have to agree it was relatively easy and
painless. I'm a big ole' chicken when it comes to needles and
such so I couldn't watch but, I think I held my breathe the
entire time. Other than a little pressure I really didn't feel a
thing. Good luck to you!

 

[Blondie]

I had one with my 2nd pregnancy for the same reason as Pete's Mom.

It was painless and not the least bit uncomfortable for me, I think what freaks a lot of women out is the size of the needle they use!

Other than that, I had no complications and I'd do it again if I were to become pregnant again--of which I have no plans of doing at this stage of my life!

 

[snoopy]

I had one, for the same reason others have stated with the AFP results, and found the procedure to be relatively painless and without event. You are supposed to rest for the day you have it, which I did because I didn't want to harm the baby in any way, but I felt like I could have walked out of the doctor's office and gone about my business with no problems.

 

[mtemm]

I've had 2. the first one was with my son and my triple screen came back low. I completely trusted my dr., she's excellent, but it was still scary because I was so worried the whole time that something was wrong. I did not watch the needle. amnios should be done in conjunction with ultrasound, so I watched my that or closed my eyes and practiced relaxation techniques. I even chuckled at one point and said to my dr. and the tech that hey, it couldn't hurt as much as childbirth, right? and it didn't. wasn't fun, but it wasn't that bad either. over quickly. had some issues that day unfortunatlely that kept me from going home and just relaxing like they recommend...it was the morning of 9/11, and when we got home not only was all of that going on (horrible) but my grandmother was very ill and I needed to get her to the dr. immediately. My parents were out of the country and noone else could do it. So I did. I had no issues from the amnio in spite of the horrible stress I was under after, as well as the worrying for results. thankfully they also did a FISH test and it was available 2 days later and all was well, and 2 weeks later with the amnio results all was well.

I just had an amnio done on the twins 2 weeks ago. I opted to just do this for my age (36) and didn't want to go thru a false positive with the triple screen again. This was very strange because the dr. saw a perfect place to do it so he would only have to poke me once...the babies were lined up perfectly at one point. So the needle went into the first sac, he drew fluid, dyed the sac (something they do with multiples) and continued on to the second sac. Very strange! This one was more painful than my other one, probably because he was digging so deeply to get to the second sac. again, I used relaxation techniques and told myself it would be over soon and its still not all that bad. All true. I got the FISH results the following tuesday (it was done of friday) and all was well. still waiting for the amnio results, I should probably give them a call today in fact.

overall its not that bad. use relaxation techniques. have someone drive you to and from. spend the next couple of days relaxing, take off work it you can or if you are a SAHM get a babysitter or have dh take a day off so you can just be. Drink lots of fluid. Don't lift anything heavy for a few days. And good luck, healthy baby vibes sent your way!

edited to add that the weirdest thing for me was the sensation of the needle going in twice...once into your belly and then into your uterus. very strange! neither dr. numbed, their point being why have 2 needles instead of 1? made sense to me!

 

[suzannen]

I had one and was basically painless. I was so surprised and it was over in less than 25 seconds (I counted). And, like Snoopy, although I rested, I felt like I could have gone back to work no problem.

I had mine done at the hospital, not by my personal OB-GYN, but by a doctor who literally spends his whole day just doing amnios. I was told that the more experienced the person doing it is, and the more often they perform the procedure, then the less risk of miscarriage and usually less pain involved. It seemed true in my case.

Best of luck.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

I had first one with DS that was relatively easy, slightly uncomfortable but it wasn't a big deal - but I had problems with the second (and third and forth) tries with DD.

When I went in for the amnio for DD they couldn't get through the sac, doctor said it keep "tenting" or folding in. Tried three different times that day and finally I'd really had enough. At least they were careful enough not to force it. Doc said we could try again in a few days and I said no way. I would take whatever came my way - it wasn't worth it to me. So they decided to do a very detailed type of sonogram (I guess you'd call it). Another Doc tried to talk me into an amnio that day but still I said no way. That's my last child so I won't be doing it again. It's probably unusual that happens but I was so scared of damaging something with the baby.

Not trying to scare you, just saying go with what feels right in your heart and head. DD was just fine.

 

[dcgrumpy]

I had one with my last pregnancy. I was 37 at the time and the nuchal fold measurement was high. I found it very painful, the doctor said that was because of a very large fibroid I had. They told me to stay in bed for 24hrs, easier said than done with a 2yo.

 

[ez]

I really appreciate all your feedback. Being I am 41 years old, this is probably something I will wind up doing. Thanks again, Eileen

 

[Blondie]

I'm 43 years old, and if I were to get pregnant now, or if I had gotten pregnant a few years ago, I would've had Chorionic Villi Sampling and the AFP.

But the amnio was totally painless for me, as I previously posted.

 

[ez]

it seems no one in my area wants to do/recommend it. It would have been nice because you can get that done at 10 weeks.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I had one about 10.5 years ago. Had two miscarriages then had one pregnancy that was working. I was 42, nearly 43 with my first to term pregnancy, so my doctor suggested it. It was uneventful and I was glad that I had done it.

 

[mamajoan]

Lord have mercy..... I can not imagine why any ob would not perform an amnio on a 41 year old pregnant woman... I would say that would be a standard test for a woman your age. Are there any teaching hospitals in your area? Usually they have the most current regiments in place...just my experience....

My amnios were done for several reasons. The multiple amnios I had done during the last months of pregnancy were to make sure the baby's lungs would be mature upon delivery. I was 27 for my last pregnancy. So age was not a factor.. I was a pretty sick.. but determined woman.
I hope all goes well for you and your child.