Amnio pain

[Anonymous]

I'm scheduled for my amnio in two weeks, and I'm wondering if anyone could share the experience. How badly does it
hurt? Like an intramuscular shot or worse? How long does the fluid withdrawal take?

I read on the Web that originally, when the procedure was introduced, a local anaesthetic was offered during amnios,
but later they decided to do away with anaesthetics and go straight for the big needle.

Can anyone please clarify?

Sorry for my ignorance but this is my first pregnancy and my first amnio. I'm really scared.

Thanks much!

[Anonymous]

I had it twice; discomfort was minor. Sorry I don't remember more details, but good luck!

[Anonymous]

I barely felt a thing. I am pretty scared of needles so I was reeeeeeally nervous about it. It feels like a little pressure but that lasts for MAYBE 10 seconds. I didn't even feel the prick of the needle. All of my friends said the same thing--it was much easier than they thought. I wouldn't worry because I am not kidding when I say I am a big, huge, mojor whimp when it comes to needles and anything associated with them!

[Anonymous]

Not at all like and IM shot for me. Felt more like pressure than pain. It was, however, a bit more emotional than I was prepared for (just felt weird to allow something into the baby's environment like that - I watched db move away from the needle, and then db stayed on that side of my uterus for about a week afterward). I didn't really expect it to be an emotional thing.

[Anonymous]

I just had one last Friday, it was a little pain, mostly pressure and lasted for about 30 seconds while they got all the fluid they need (2-3 tablespoons of fluid)...they offered me a local anesthetic just for the skin part of the shot, but I declined it because I would still have felt the needle going into my womb (nothing that can do about that).

Anyway, just make sure you take it easy afterwards and try to relax and drink plenty of water afterwards (helps you help the baby replace the fluids).

Do not worry...I am sure you are going to an experienced doc and they really, really help make the whole process easier. Best of luck!!!

[Anonymous]

It was really nothing (even though I was so nervous beforehand). You don't see the needle. You just hold very still, they find a safe place to insert it and you barely feel it. It's more of an odd sensation rather than pain. The extraction takes about 30-60 seconds. You may have some light cramping afterwards or feel tired. Mostly, you're asked to drink a lot of water.

[Anonymous]

I had it done 2 weeks ago. The initial prick of the needle is all that hurts (which is why they no longer tend to do the anesthesia -- the prick from that needle is just as bad - i.e., not bad at all). Once it's through your skin, it's a very strange sensation, but not painful. For some reason, I didn't think I'd be able to feel it once it got past the skin layer, but I could definitely feel it -- just no pain. It's also very strange watching it on the ultrasound monitor -- I thought the doc was going to stick the baby in the head with the needle, but she said it's all perspective and the needle wasn't nearly as close to the head as it looked. Needle-in to needle-out took less than 1 minute, but I barely breathed that whole time (and it was a long minute!).

Much worse than the procedure itself is the wait for the FISH results. *That* was agony. We, fortunately, got good news. Best of luck, and I hope you get good news too! Keep as busy as you can for those few days while you wait to hear.

[Anonymous]

Im replying to an old thread, but thought I'd share my amnio experience, which was yesterday. We decided on amnio because I'll be 39 when I deliver, and our doc seemed to prefer amnio to CVS. It was frankly not a big deal--not really painful (I've experienced MUCH worse--dental pain, surgery, IV hookups, bike falls, etc)--it was more of a weird sensation and a pinch. We were fairly fortunate in that the placenta was under the baby, so no chance of going through it, etc. I'm not sure how much our little guy liked, noticed, etc the needle, but it didn't seem to come close to him. A little cramping after but no blood or leaking fluid. I'd definitely do it again if needed for another pregnancy.

I was a little tired after, but maybe more emotionally. We went out to lunch and then I went back to work. I plan to go to the gym tonight, albeit not to push myself too much. The hard part is staying chill while waiting for the results, even as my belly really is starting to swell.