Does amniocentesis hurt?

I had my appt. today. I'm going twice weekly for BPP, NST, and to see my OB.
I will be 32 weeks tomorrow and I am so miserable. I can barely walk and my back is in constant pain.
After taking everything into consideration, my OB said we could deliver at 36 weeks if we have an amnio performed and everything comes back clear on it.
(BTW, I will be a repeat c-section)
I had steroid shots at 27 weeks. While I know the longer you can keep the babies in the better off they are I'm only willing to deliver at 36 weeks if we "know" they are okay to deliver. My OB said the amnio would tell us this info. and she would be comfortable delivering them with the amnio if it came back fine.
So, I've never had an amnio done and the thought of it terrifies me. Does it hurt? What can you tell me about it?
Thanks for any input you can offer.
Misti

 

I had my appt. today. I'm going twice weekly for BPP, NST, and to see my OB.
I will be 32 weeks tomorrow and I am so miserable. I can barely walk and my back is in constant pain.
After taking everything into consideration, my OB said we could deliver at 36 weeks if we have an amnio performed and everything comes back clear on it.
(BTW, I will be a repeat c-section)
I had steroid shots at 27 weeks. While I know the longer you can keep the babies in the better off they are I'm only willing to deliver at 36 weeks if we "know" they are okay to deliver. My OB said the amnio would tell us this info. and she would be comfortable delivering them with the amnio if it came back fine.
So, I've never had an amnio done and the thought of it terrifies me. Does it hurt? What can you tell me about it?
Thanks for any input you can offer.
Misti

 

I had an amnio with my last baby. Everyone told me not to worry it doesnt hurt. I will not lie to you....it was not pleasant. The needle in my stomach did not hurt, it only was ackward when it punctured my uterus. Once it was in it didnt hurt at all and it didnt hurt coming out. Dont be scared, just be prepared for an unpleasant feeling for a few seconds. Good luck- think positive.

 

what happened during mine (with a singleton) was the doctor starts an ultrasound and looks for a pocket of amniotic fluid, they then insert a long needle into that area and extract a small amount of fluid......making sure not to prick the baby the entire time......I did not find it uncomfortable at all, it was just like getting a shot, only in the belly region.....I was told that if I needed to get one with the twins, that they would only have to do it for one baby (not each baby)


HTH, Sherri

 

I kept my eyes closed the whole time, never saw the needle, and only had a brief cramp while one was done; no cramping with the other twin. Also no adverse consequences.

 

I had one done @ 19weeks. It was more nerve racking than anything. They had to put a needle in me 3 times - first was to get fluids from baby A - then they injected saline with blue dye in baby A's sac to make sure they don't do the same sac twice. Then when they went to get fluid from baby b's sac - it cramped a bit and was a little uncomfortable. Everything turned out fine except I keep wondering if I'm going to have a blue smurf baby Goodluck!

 

I had my amino done at 17 weeks...and it really wasn't too bad.
I don't know if it feels differently when done closer to term....

It really wasn't a big deal....and you will only have "one" amino since it's for lung maturity.

Miriam

 

Both of mine hurt. I had a a lot of cramping in my back. Some people barely feel an amnio and some feel it badly. It really depends. For a lung test, it's so quick that I wouldn't worry about it though. The recovery from the c-section is going to be much more difficult.

 

I didn't have one with the twins, but did with this singleton. The first time my uterus cramped so hard they couldn't finish and it really wasn't bad except for the crammping. The 2nd time it went fine and it cramped a bit but nothing bad and had no problems afterwards. I didn't watch and I think that helped Don't worry! It's really not bad at all!!! Take care!
Jen

 

I had two amnios to check for lung maturity with my twins. The first on at 34 weeks I didn't feel a thing. The second one at 35 weeks I silt a slight sting when the needle went in and a little discomfort. All in all I though it wasn't nearly as bad as I imagined it woud be. IHTH

 

I had my done at 36 weeks to check lung maturity. The actually procedure did not hurt me, but right afterwards I was in a lot of pain. It felt like major cramping, like someone kicked me very hard. I had to sit in the hospital for a bit before I could walk on my own. But, that only lasted about an hour and then I was fine.

Hope I didn't scare you too much...the actual procedure is not that bda and I am a wuss!

good luck

jen

 

I had a shot of versaid before mine which puts you in a very relaxed state. i think what relly hurts is like any shot,. when your muscles are tense its harder to go in. i was like the least tense i have ever been in my life after the versaid(sp?),. and the whole process didn't hurt one bit,. and not bad afterefects either. i had been REALLY nervous too and wish i hadn't wasted the energy