Anyone dead set on amnio and then decide against it?

[Anonymous]

I have searched the archives and found some helpful posts, I know this has been beaten to death but wondering if anyone is going through this now. I am incredibly risk adverse, like having information, and though I don't like it when people say they would or wouldn't terminate (having had friends who were adamant they would, and then didn't, and conversely having friends who said they wouldn't, then did) since I think we just don't know until we are faced with that situation, I think I would at least seriously consider termination for bad results. I'm 35 with this pregnancy (will be 35 when I deliver) - add it all up and I was adamant I would get an amnio.

Today I had my nuchal screen and it threw me for a loop. With our first baby, I was not AMA and did not get the blood work done before, so we ended up having our results called into us a week later. My husband took the call and I heard the info from him (1/9000 for Down Syndrome, 1/1200 or something for the two tris). I was 32 so didn't think about further testing, we had a healthy baby.

This time around, I actually did get the blood drawn before and researched my options for amnio, decided who I would have it done with (Dr. Kramer who seems highly regarded on DCUM) etc. So today I went in for the test and they gave me results right there since I had the blood draw - 1/5000 for Down Syndrome and 1/4600 for the tri13 and tri 18). So overall, really BETTER than with our first child given the decrease in the tri 13/18).

What threw me was getting the info - Dr. Kramer came in and did another ultrasound and was downright giddy - everything looked great, my numbers were great, he was just so pleased! I can see why people love him on DCUM! He said my risk with an amnio was around 1/1000 so that it would be riskier to get an amnio than proceed with my numbers. He also said I could get more screening/ultrasound and still have time for the amnio and ultimate decision before 20 weeks (though I fully realize it would be easier to terminate if it came to that earlier rather than later).

I think I'm so surprised that though it is my decision, I thought there would be more "pressure" almost for an AMA woman to get an amnio, rather than basically being told, it's up to you but I wouldn't advise it. I'm very much "what if I'm that 1/5000?" on the other hand, if I get the amnio, what if I'm that 1/1000-3000 depending on source? Anyone else going through this? My husband thinks we should be done - he is thrilled with the results and though ultimately he would support my decision, he thinks if we get an amnio I would be stressing for the next few weeks, stressing for days after in case something happens, etc. He says I will never be satisfied so we should stop now. I'm inclined to agree but am curious of other's processes on this. Just to add, if I was older this would be a moot point and I would have it done. But at 35, seems I'm right at the cut point...

[Anonymous]

I delivered my third child last year at 35 yo and was pretty sure I was going to definitely get an amnio just to be on the safe side. I felt like with 2 healthy kids, I just needed to have some certainty that I was carrying a third healthy kid.

Then, like you OP, I got back my results from the NT screening and they were great - pretty similar numbers as yours...maybe even slightly better. Much better actually than the numbers for my second. Like you, I also didn't do further testing for #1 or #2.

Long story short, I decided against an amnio or further testing. As rare as it is to miscarry following an amnio, solely from a statistical standpoint, it was MUCH more likely (like 10 times more likely) that I'd miscarry than that I'd have a baby with DS.

More than that though, I went with my gut.

I should add that I have miscarried before so that may have colored my opinion a little as well.

FYI - my beautiful baby girl (now almost 11 months) is happily sleeping next to me and (knock on wood) is so far as healthy as can be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I delivered my third child last year at 35 yo and was pretty sure I was going to definitely get an amnio just to be on the safe side. I felt like with 2 healthy kids, I just needed to have some certainty that I was carrying a third healthy kid.

Then, like you OP, I got back my results from the NT screening and they were great - pretty similar numbers as yours...maybe even slightly better. Much better actually than the numbers for my second. Like you, I also didn't do further testing for #1 or #2.

Long story short, I decided against an amnio or further testing. As rare as it is to miscarry following an amnio, solely from a statistical standpoint, it was MUCH more likely (like 10 times more likely) that I'd miscarry than that I'd have a baby with DS.

More than that though, I went with my gut.

I should add that I have miscarried before so that may have colored my opinion a little as well.

FYI - my beautiful baby girl (now almost 11 months) is happily sleeping next to me and (knock on wood) is so far as healthy as can be.

OP here - thank you for this. You actually nailed it with the part in bold. I am such a glass half empty person when it comes to stuff like this, and after seeing the baby today I just have this feeling it is okay. I KNOW that is not worth much in terms of statistical risk but my husband said to me tonight after I had been home for 20 minutes, that he had no idea what a weight I had been carrying because he hasn't seen my like this in weeks, and he thinks the test today just flipped a switch in me from profound worry to okay, I may be cool.

It's such a crapshoot. It's hard to face that every decision carries a risk but it does. I feel like when you go online, it's just a given that 35 and older = amnio, but I've had so many AMA friends who SEEMED to opt out of it. I know it shouldn't matter what other people are doing but it helps to hear that I'm the only one who decided not to get the amnio after thinking I would.

[Anonymous]

I think 35 is just becoming AMA. I am 37. I skipped the other tests and went straight for the Amnio.

[Anonymous]

Wow, your numbers look great! Don't let the 35 thing scare you-it's just a cutoff point, it's not like you wake up on the morning you turn 35 and all your eggs have turned to crap. The cutoff for offering amnio just had to go somewhere.

I think you should feel comfortable not doing an amnio with those numbers. If you wanted a little more reassurance, you could do the sequential screening. Normally their office only offers it if your risk is higher than 1/1500 (i think) but technically anyone can do it. It's just a blood test that they can combine with your first trimester screening results and it will take those numbers and then change them again. It picks up a coupe more % of babies with Down syndrome. The only drawback is that it could potentially make your risk go up and at that point you'd have to open up the amnio can of worms again. But odds are that it would make your risk even lower so hopefully you could relax more. Anyway, you can do that blood test starting at 15 weeks. Good luck and don't stress-those are great nuchal results

[Anonymous]

With my first I was 35yo and did the amnio. I assumed I would as well with #2, but after great NT results and some discussion with my OB, I opted not to do it. I had also had a m/c in between and had early bleeding with the 3rd pregnancy, so like the PP those fears colored my decision. I think amnios are becoming less common now that the NT is widely available as well as CVS. My amnio with #1 was very easy but I'm very glad I opted not to do it with my second child.

[Anonymous]

I was 36 when I had my amnio - would not have had it if my numbers had looked like yours! (we spotted something on the 20-wk ultrasound that had a 4% chance of being Down Syndrome, so we went for the amnio.) My doctor didn't push the amnio at all, just gave me his interpretation of the stats for miscarriage vs. the stats for Down. I don't think being AMA is that big of a deal at all if you are in good health. I had a really great pregnancy, much better than some of my younger friends/relatives. The eggs are older but that's about the only difference I found.

[sybersus]

I was planning on the amnio too, as I'm 36, but after getting similar numbers to yours at the nuchal screening, I decided to skip it. I'm glad I did, as in addition to the risk of miscarriage, I'm scared of needles and think the whole thing would have creeped me out. If the numbers had been significantly worse, I would definitely have had the amnio, no question. It sounds like you know what you want to do, which is great; I agree that following your gut is key. Congrats on the pregnancy and on the great results!

[Anonymous]

Same here. I'll be 36 when I deliver. My NT looked great and I decided to wait until my 18-20 week U/S and quad screen results before deciding whether or not to get an amnio. It doesn't make sense if things look good.

[Anonymous]

with #1, I was 38 and got the amnio, really without hesitation. My numbers were decent (maybe 1/1500ish) but we felt we had to know. Since then, a good friend lost twins (and was herself very sick) after her amnio--she was the rare case that got an infection of the lining of the amniotic sac. So sad, because they were TTC for years, and this was a hard won IVF pregnancy. To be honest, it really threw me for a loop. I guess stats seem so impersonal, until you know someone who is the "one"--whether the 1/1500 for chromosonal disorders or the 1 1/500 or whatever to have an m/c likely related to amnio.

So for #2,w e're doing the blood tests, but I honestly don't know what our 'gut' will be--depends on the numbers I guess, but my previous 'sure we'll get an amnio' sentiment has been shaken. I think if your numbers look fantastic and you are okay with it, I'd skip the amnio, and enjoy the pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

I lost 15 pounds during my first trimester from the stress of trying to decide whether or not to get amnios (I've since had my twins - beautiful, healthy twins, thank God). I read all the message boards looking for answers. My risk was 1/415 for each twin and after the blood test the risk was improved to 1/1000. I was 34.5. They told me it was my choice. My husband wasn't worried AT ALL. I was a nervous wreck. Meanwhile, the thought of potentially affecting the pregnancy made me sick and the thought of what I would DO if something WAS wrong made me sick. I was a mess. Ultimately, I ended up getting the amnios on a whim during my 16 week ultrasound because I was such a wreck. My doctor said she normally wouldn't advise one way or the other but in my case I was going to make myself crazy. So I did the amnios and then I stayed in bed for 3 days praying. Everything was fine.

Here's why this was the best decision for ME - after getting the results I was finally able to relax and enjoy my pregnancy, bond with the babies and gain weight. So if you are going to worry the entire time just go ahead and do it.

Dr. Matia did mine - I love her.