Amnios

I had asked this in one of my other threads but was hoping by starting a new one, someone might be able to give me some feedback. I'm sorry if this has already been asked but I did not see it anywhere.

Because they are so unsure about whether or not Baby B has a problem, it is suggested that I get the amnios on both. I am worried bc I know there is a risk and was hoping someone who has been through this might be able to lend some advice.

Thank You All!

 

Hi Joanna,

I can really feel for what you're going through. My wife and I had a selective reduction and lost one of
our twins at 21 weeks. At 19 weeks we had an amnio done because baby-b was showing some abnormalities
and we only had it done on the one...Later we ended up having another amnio done on
twin-a just in case as per discussion with doctor. But, if you don't know this already, they can get you quick
(fish?) results within 24hrs. If this comes back clean, it's likely that the full chromosomal check will be
fine, but complete testing does take a week or so. Ours came back clean for both. But, our situation was
different, with abnormalities unrelated to chromosomal issues, evidently.

At 1% or less, there's virtually no risk, but I understand the hesitancy and/or fear as we were in that position,
too. If a person absolutely knows she would not take any type of action in response to the results, I would
imagine it would be fine to skip this test. The procedure itself is quick and nothing to worry about.

You've got a great perspective and you'll get through this just fine.





QUOTE(Joanna416 @ Oct 2 2008, 12:32 PM) [snapback]1008339[/snapback]
I had asked this in one of my other threads but was hoping by starting a new one, someone might be able to give me some feedback. I'm sorry if this has already been asked but I did not see it anywhere.

Because they are so unsure about whether or not Baby B has a problem, it is suggested that I get the amnios on both. I am worried bc I know there is a risk and was hoping someone who has been through this might be able to lend some advice.

Thank You All!

 

I am sorry you're going through this (and for your loss, carytwins). When we faced a similar situation it was one of the worst weeks of our lives, if not the worst. Our peri suspected chromosomal abnormalities in both babies around 21 weeks, so I had amnios on both, just to be prepared for what was coming. No complications at all, and both babies were completely healthy.

Anyway, we decided to have the amnios because the 'less than 1%' risk rate also relates to the expertise of your MD. We were fortunate enough to have a peri who did not experience an amnio-related miscarriage in 15 years of practice. But, he did say 'the time is gonna come, someone will be the first'. For us, the slight risk was worth the knowledge.

Good luck to you and please PM me if you'd like.

Meighan

 

No, but the risk is really, really low if you live in the US.

I went to counseling and we almost had one. Kaiser said less than 1%, but in reality they told me that at their location they only have problems afterward in one out of every 400 or so. They also mentioned that studies include women who may have issues within a certain time period after the amnio- and logic dictates a percentage of these women would have problems anyway;, so the risk might even be lower than what your doctor tells you.

Are there some risks? Yes, buyt they are very small. I guess the question is, what would you do if the results came out bad? Would it depend on the condition? Would you do selective reduction? Would you need or want to know to prepare yourself (I know people who have twins who insisted on amnio for this reason- wouldn't have changed their decision but they needed to know what to prepare for). Just a few things to think about... which you probably already have.

 

Due to our problems with TTTS, we had what is called an amnioreduction. Basically, it is an amnio but they take out jars of fluid instead of just a syringe. I was definitely on pins and needles in the three days following the procedures due to my worry for the babies. The small risk was too large for me but it was necessary.

Some women say the amnio does not hurt and, for others, it results in bad cramping. I was in the latter group and had bad cramps in my back during the procedure. It was pretty painful. As soon as we were done though, nothing out of the ordinary occurred. My first amnioreduction was at 18 weeks and I was on bedrest at home following that for 3 days. My next one was at 25 weeks and I spent the night in the hospital with constant fetal monitoring so they could watch the babies since they were viable by that time.

One neat souvenir I have the amnio though is the printout of Ainsley's genes. We have that framed in the girls' room.

 

I had amnios on both as a precaution too! I didn't suffer any complications, but followed the docs recommendations to a T about rest etc....

Good luck! I hope they are wrong!! :hug: