Amnio-Risk/Responsibility

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6 posts on this thread and the last post was on April 16th, 2009 8:42 PM

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ExCapt231 - April 8th, 2009 10:47 PM

[Original Post]

Hello, I feel kind of strange posting, look a little and don't see too many men on the asking but I need hear with those whom have experience.
A little background, my wife and I are both of 39yr's of age and have been trying to have a baby for over 6 yrs now unsucessfully. After so many close calls over the years we've pretty much given up. Now that we sort of embraced the idea that it would just be the two of us, low and behold, a belated Christmas gift has bestowed us with a wonderful gift, yes she's pregnant.. we're pregnant. Forgive me but I am ultra excited at the prospects of being able to pass on the love and affection that my parents had bestowed unto me growing up.
So here we are with all systems go and we have reached a bit of a cross roads. Being almost 40 (and she will be when the on the baby's delivery date) we are taking all the necessary precautions. Blood tests and sono's and a scheduled amnio as part of our due diligience. After the blood screening some numbers came back that have cause us concern and we can't seem to get a straight honest answer. Trisome 18 and 21 have been highlighted. The Dr. stated that our chances of Trisome 21 went from 1:120 to 1:200, so that was encouraging but Trisome 18 went from 1:180 to 1:100, ouch. Needless to say we have great concerns and were all for the Amnio which we scheduled. Upon preparing for the Amnio with the sonogram concern became apparent and the Dr. was very good in explaining everything including the difficulty she was faced with. As it turns out the Dr could not get a clear shot at the fluid becasue my wifes uterus is rather small in comparsion to the size of the placenta. We were advised that because of the "high risk" factor of preforming the amnio through the placenta we would have to be referred to one of 3 hospitals in our area where this type of "high risk" manuever is done. RED FLAG.. I.. we have a problem. As I mentioned we've been trying so long and we want to be sure all is well but I do not want to recklessly endanger what in my heart I feel to be perfectly good baby. We have debated our options and cancelled the 'high risk' procedure to wait another week to see if conditions would change but I want to be sure my mind is in the right place. Are we warranted in fearing a complication with preforming an amnio through the placenta rather that a more accptable procedure around it? Please help...

wantanotheraftertr - April 9th, 2009 9:20 AM

I had the quad screen done 2 years ago with my son. My chance came back 1:41 for tri 18. After the ultra sound there were NO soft markers at all. I did not do amnio because of the risk which they say is small of m/c because i wasn't about to take the chance. My son is a very healthy and active 16 month old now. If you want this baby does it matter if it has downs they seem to be so loving to me. I think you need to consider not doing it and just take what God has so blessed you with regardless. I'm sure your baby will be fine th numbers sound much more hopefull than mine did . Good luck and congrats on finally getting the blessing you so longed for.

clindholm - April 9th, 2009 9:26 AM

First of all, Congratulations!!!! I am a 39 year old (soon to be 40) mom of two. Our youngest is now 5 months. I want to reassure you and tell you what I have learned throughout my pregnancies:

1. Blood tests on older moms frequently show an elevated risk which is false.

2. IF Trisomy 18 or 21 (especially 18) is present, it will show up on an ultrasound.

3. If your baby has either of these issues, would you abort or just want to prepare yourself?

4. I showed an elevated risk of T18 for my 2 year old at the 18 week anatomy ultrasound. There was ONE soft marker (CPC's). The hospital tried to push for an amnio and after much thought and many tears we declined as any risk to our potentially perfect girl was too much. After much research, I found that ONE soft marker does not mean anything. There would be several.

There are many many stories on this forum that address these tests and the fact that these babies were born completely normal.

If I were in your position, I would absolutely not have this procedure done. If your baby does have any genetic issues it is almost gauranteed that you will find out without risking your baby's life. The decision is obviously yours and your wife's.

By the way, both of my children are completely perfect.

MNMOM - April 9th, 2009 1:18 PM

You really need to decide if it is all worth the risk....if you found out pretty positive that Trisomy 18 was in your future child, would it change the course of your pregnancy, or would you accept it and have the baby and love it the best you could anyway? If the answer is yes you would have the baby and then I say forget the amnio, the risk and stress is not worth finding out what you will find out in a few months anyway.

in the woods - April 10th, 2009 11:02 PM

A chance 1:100 means that there is 99% probability that your child does NOT have Trisomy 18. Those are pretty good numbers.

An amnio through placenta sounds scary... I did amnios twice (at 38 and 40), in a standard way, and I had some cramps afterwards. But, I had never tried for a child that long. If I were in your shoes I'd stay away from any invasion, ... - and would try to concentrate on the 99% of good news. Congrats!

babyblue2 - April 12th, 2009 11:12 AM

I would have to agree with everyone else. Your procedure seems to be more risky than what its worth. I am 36 and preg with #4. My risk came back as 1:35, so we did the amnio. It wasn't too bad, just very scary. The decision was difficult to make. But my miscarriage risk was only 1:400... not risky like yours sounds. Long story short... my baby is fine! These triple and quad screening tests are no more accurate than they were 10 yrs ago when I had my first baby. The only reason I took the test this time (and never before) was due to my age (which serves to further skew the results). Try not to worry and try to enjoy the wonderful blessing you have been given. Pregnancy is a wonderful experience, so try not to let your score overshadow all the good. Wishing you all the best in a very happy (and nausea free) pregnancy :) xx

789victoria - April 16th, 2009 8:42 PM

Since I'll probably in your situation someday, and I don't want a baby with a genetic syndrome either, I really do have empathy for you. I have read that the vast majority of fetuses with a chromosomal problem (including trisomy 18, 21, or sex chromosome) are miscarried. The ones that make it full term are statistically rare, from what I understand. So, on the slight chance there is a trisomy or some other problem, the pregnancy will probably miscarry. More than likely the fetus is perfectly normal. Congratulations!

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