Declined amnio- reassurance?

[kochanyk]

We had genetic counseling and u/s today and found out or odds of trisomy are pretty high for my age (I'm 27 and odds 1/260). This is from both u/s and blood tests. I declined amnio b/c 1) we won't terminate and 2) I see it as risky and invasive. Anyone else decline? Everything I read claims amnios are fairly safe, but any risk of m/c is not a risk I want to take

[~Megan~]

Its the same choice I would have made.

Why did you get genetic counselling? I'm curious if you want to share.

[CEG]

If you are worried about it you can always have an amnio later in the pregnancy when the risk of complications is much lower, but still have some time to be prepared. I feel the same way as you and this is my "back-up plan" if I am ever in a similar situation. I would like to be prepared beforehand, but not willing to risk baby's health. Good luck.

[moderngal]

I declined it for the same reasons. I didn't do the other screens either- nothing they tell me will change how I approach this pregnancy, they do have false positives, so I won't put myself through the worry. What will be will be.

[MaryLang]

I declined too w/dd. Same reasons, I wasn't comfortable and we would never terminate. According to u/s, she had a 65% chance of a trisomy, 18 or 21 but we declined, and she was fine anyways.

[kochanyk]

Had genetic counseling b/c our 2nd child had a birth defect that they *think* stems from a genetic condition (he meets the criteria but only 20% shows on genetic testing and they have to wait until he's older to do further clinical testing). If we had another son (only males are effected) then there's a 50% chance he would have the same- we wanted a surprise but the first 24 hrs after care and testing (sugars and hormone levels) would be very important b/c the disorder can cause pituitary problems.

Thank you ladies, I really appreciate it. I'm a tad worried, but I don't think it would change a single thing for us as far as this pregnancy. We did want a lot more kids though and this makes me a tad weary- they said chances will increase for me each pregnancy. DH is also older (41) so I guess that plays a role as well.

[thefragile7393]

I've declined it both times....if we had a good reason, such as possible inheirited birth defect, I might have done it but it still dosn't matter.....there would be no termination.

My SIL had ALL the testing done....you name it, they did it....only to found out very close to her due date that her son had severe spina bifida that was not picked up on any of the tests. They just aren't 100% accurate.

[mamasprout]

I needed this thread months ago when we declined too! Same reasons. But it is still hard at first. All I can say is my anxiety around it went down so much after a few days. Just embrace your decision and enjoy the pregnancy. We're going to have plenty to learn once this little guy arrives, no matter if he has birth defects or not!!

I was starting to feel like the only person in the world who declined testing though! Thanks mamas.

[snazzy_mom]

We had genetic counseling and u/s today and found out or odds of trisomy are pretty high for my age (I'm 27 and odds 1/260). This is from both u/s and blood tests. I declined amnio b/c 1) we won't terminate and 2) I see it as risky and invasive. Anyone else decline? Everything I read claims amnios are fairly safe, but any risk of m/c is not a risk I want to take


I'm sorry if I am being nosy, but they aren't implying that your age alone is the potentially causitive factor here, right?

Either way, I would wait too until you know for sure the pregnancy is well under way if even at all. If you know that you wouldn't terminate, I don't see how much more they would be able to tell that they couldn't figure out with u/s, while not preferable, hasn't been known to cause a miscarriage.

Best of luck to you!!

[so_blessed]

I had a friend who lost her baby girl due to slow loss of fluid after her amnio. She kept calling her doctor, who told her it was likely just incontinence. She spent a miserable weekend in bed leaking, then found out on Monday that it was a leak (not incontinence) and that her baby had died. She was around 6 months or so, I think.

I totally agree with your refusing the amnio. This is our sixth pregnancy. We refuse all testing except one ultrasound because we would not terminate our pregnancy anyway. The risks of the amnio of hurting the baby, for us, by far outweigh the benefit of any information gained.

I'm not sure what my risks are since I am 40+, but I know they are pretty high and even that does not alter our decision. Btw, our MWs say it is mandatory for us to get genetic counseling. We let them set up the appointment, then call back later and tell the counselor we want to cancel. They actually appreciate it b/c they don't want to waste their time when they know we will refuse all of the tests anyway!

[ltk]

I am 35 and I declined. not worth the risk to me. you will most likely be fine. you know the stats, and that is what made the decision for me. soon it will be behind you and you won't even think about it.

[Cheshire]

We declined. The only testing we've had done is the ultrasound. I won't do the blood tests (except last time around we did the cystic fibrosis carrier test on me).

At our ultrasound a couple of weeks ago we found a soft marker for Down Syndrome (an ultra bright echogenic bowel - and to me his belly looked really round and big). I told the doc and our midwives no amnio. The doc said she wouldn't twist my arm - whatever that means???

We go back in a couple of weeks to take another look. I'm just a little concerned about the size of his tummy but I know that in about 20 weeks we'll know for sure what's going on when he's born.

Hugs to you - it is a tough choice. Before being told there might be an issue I always said I'd never have an amnio (the risk of m/c is too high for me). When shown the echogenic bowel we told them no. After doing research online it was a little harder to stick to my guns out of fear but I gave myself some time and I'm now glad of our decision. The first few days were the hardest but I know it's right for us. You have to decide what is right for you - no matter what others do.

[arismama!]

i would not do an amnio, there is a real risk of miscarriage and i wouldnt terminate regardless so whats the point? also im 26 so i consider my age and good health to be placing me and my baby in a low risk category, regardless of my husbands age, who is 39. i mean older men have been impregnanting younger women forever, why would taht make the baby less likely to be healthy?

[kochanyk]

i would not do an amnio, there is a real risk of miscarriage and i wouldnt terminate regardless so whats the point? also im 26 so i consider my age and good health to be placing me and my baby in a low risk category, regardless of my husbands age, who is 39. i mean older men have been impregnanting younger women forever, why would taht make the baby less likely to be healthy?


My DH is 41 this week and apparently that adds to the risk of Trisonomy (21 at least).

snazzy- YES. In fact the doc told me it's b/c my "eggs are aging and risk will increase with each year of age". Considering we would like another 3 children that really bothers me. I'm 27! I'm not AMA or anything. What else would make our risk high?

Thanks for the comfort ladies ((hugs))

[abimommy]

I wouldn't do an amnio either.

The Dr did mention it, because I have a TOOONNNN of extra fluid so they are worried about congenital issues that may be causing a swallowing problem. The Dr's opinion was that it was too dangerous at this point in pregnancy (I am 27 weeks) and I said I wouldn't do one at all so we are in agreement. :lol

:hug

[EZmomma]

I just had an amnio 2 weeks ago and going in I was so terrified! This is my first pregnancy and also I'm only 21 so really I feel like it was all BS!! While I was lying there the ultrasound lady was all Doc "THATS THE HEAD" I gasped, but knew I couldn't move! After that I nearly passed out! I waited 1 week to find out that there was absolutely nothing wrong with my little guy!

If I had the choice and had some guidance I would have not gone through with it!

[~sweet pea~]

At my first appointment, my MW explained that the reason they consider 35 as "older" is that on average, the chances of down's or trisomy are 1/270 and basically "equal" the chances of miscarriage from the amnio 1/250. The way I look at it, in my case and yours at 1/260, the amnio is still slightly riskier. I've decided against it.

[pantufla]

My DH is 41 this week and apparently that adds to the risk of Trisonomy (21 at least).

snazzy- YES. In fact the doc told me it's b/c my "eggs are aging and risk will increase with each year of age". Considering we would like another 3 children that really bothers me. I'm 27! I'm not AMA or anything. What else would make our risk high?

Thanks for the comfort ladies ((hugs))

What the.. ??? ALL women's eggs are aging from birth, and all women's risks increase with age. Is your doc trying to say that all pregnant women need an amnio? It doesn't make any sense to me. I'd ask a lot more questions.

[auroranshine]

:oThis is out third baby and I have declined Amnio and cvs testing. I won't terminate and I feel it's too risky on a test that could come back false.