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Amniocentesis - cons/pros
Hello, all!
I would like to know your opinion: does it make sense to request amniocentesis even if, G-d willing, there are no risk indicators for this? Has anyone done this test without indicators and regretted it? Has anyone NOT done this test and regretted that? Thank you all! Elana |
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"Elana" wrote in message
oups.com... I would like to know your opinion: does it make sense to request amniocentesis even if, G-d willing, there are no risk indicators for this? Has anyone done this test without indicators and regretted it? Has anyone NOT done this test and regretted that? Amniocentesis has something like a 1:200 chance of causing miscarriage, which in of itself was enough to deter me from having it. I would hazard a guess that women who had it and then lost the baby would regret it. It's a very personal decision. What would you do if you had it and then found out there was a problem? What would you do if you didn't have it and then gave birth to a baby with a defect? These are things to take into account when making your decision. I've never heard of anyone who had amniocentesis who didn't have an elevated risk of genetic defects. Lucy |
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Elana wrote:
I would like to know your opinion: does it make sense to request amniocentesis even if, G-d willing, there are no risk indicators for this? Has anyone done this test without indicators and regretted it? Has anyone NOT done this test and regretted that? Well, you asked for opinions... Here's mine. I have NOT done amnio and do NOT regret it. Even with indicators, we did not do it in the first pregnancy. But, you must do what you are comfortable with. -- Anita -- |
#4
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On 25 Feb 2005 12:59:34 -0800, "Elana" scribbled:
Hello, all! I would like to know your opinion: does it make sense to request amniocentesis even if, G-d willing, there are no risk indicators for this? Has anyone done this test without indicators and regretted it? Has anyone NOT done this test and regretted that? Thank you all! Elana Both of my last pregnancies occurred after I was 35, so amnio was mentioned to me at certain points, but I refused both times. My age would have been the only risk indicator. The invasiveness and miscarriage risk just weren't worth it for me, but everyone needs to go with their own comfort level. Nan |
#5
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Elana writes:
: Hello, all! : I would like to know your opinion: does it make sense to request : amniocentesis even if, G-d willing, there are no risk indicators for : this? Has anyone done this test without indicators and regretted it? : Has anyone NOT done this test and regretted that? : Thank you all! : Elana We did not do amnio even though mom was 37 and 39 and dad was 51 and 53. We definatly do not regret it. Given the high danger, I would think that it is rarely a good idea. Larry |
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Elana wrote:
Hello, all! I would like to know your opinion: does it make sense to request amniocentesis even if, G-d willing, there are no risk indicators for this? Has anyone done this test without indicators and regretted it? Has anyone NOT done this test and regretted that? All you can do is weigh the risks and benefits in your particular situation: Benefits: - Pretty much unambiguous diagnosis of certain chromosomal disorders, like Downs Syndrome or Trisomy 18 which - allows you to terminate the pregnancy based on almost certainly accurate information (although in the case of Downs Syndrome you don't get to know the severity) or, - allows you to marshall resources and start preparing to deal with any problems (which doesn't really change anything in terms of the baby's or your health, but may make it easier for you to cope) Risks: - Risk of miscarriage caused by the amnio (usually reported as somewhere between 1 in 100 and 1 in 200, though it does vary by care provider) Caveats: - A negative amnio doesn't guarantee a healthy baby. It will not diagnose defects that are not due to chromosomal problems, and only diagnoses the specific chromosomal defects that are tested for. It is not definitively diagnostic for neural tube defects, though the amniotic fluid AFP test can indicate a risk of an open NTD. One of the things you'll want to factor in is your risk based on age. If your risk of the baby having one of the tested disorders based on age alone is very low, then you may feel that it is more important to minimize the risk of miscarriage. If your risk based on age alone is quite high, then you may feel it is more important to get definitive information. If you prefer to terminate for certain chromosomal abnormalities, then amnio is probably very worthwhile, as it is the only definitive way to diagnose them. If you would never terminate no matter what the results, then the value of the information goes more to your peace of mind with additional preparation. This can be very significant for some, but others might not feel it is significant enough to weather the miscarriage risk. If you absolutely know that you want the information from the amnio, then the triple or quad screen or nuchal translucency is probably very valuable for you. Those screening exams have a high rate of false "positives" (most people who have a positive screen have perfectly healthy babies), but a very low rate of false negatives (so if the screen is negative, the odds that the baby has one of the screened for disorders is very, very low). It's a very personal choice, because everyone will balance out the factors differently. For me personally, I elected no screening tests and no amnio for any of my pregnancies (at 28, 29, and 36 years old). All three babes were perfectly healthy. Best wishes, Ericka |
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Thank you very much for your replies. Your insights helped me to
formulate the real question that's been on my mind: whether a post-amnio miscarriage is considered murder or not. Because I could live (yes, grieve, but still find peace) with a natural miscarriage, but would have a very difficult time accepting the fact that the baby was killed. I am not ready to make that personal decision right now because I don't want to put myself into a certain mindset if I will have to make the choice based on triple screen results. What do you think? Is a post-amnio miscarriage a "natural course of events" occurance, or is it murder? Thank you, Elana |
#8
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On 25 Feb 2005 14:33:38 -0800, "Elana" scribbled:
Thank you very much for your replies. Your insights helped me to formulate the real question that's been on my mind: whether a post-amnio miscarriage is considered murder or not. Because I could live (yes, grieve, but still find peace) with a natural miscarriage, but would have a very difficult time accepting the fact that the baby was killed. I am not ready to make that personal decision right now because I don't want to put myself into a certain mindset if I will have to make the choice based on triple screen results. What do you think? Is a post-amnio miscarriage a "natural course of events" occurance, or is it murder? Wow, I never would have thought of it from that POV. I think it would be an "unfortunate event" that resulted from the pregnant couple seeking answers. Would I possibly feel guilt if it happened to me? You bet. But I wouldn't feel like I'd murdered my baby. Nan |
#9
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On Fri, 25 Feb 2005 12:59:34 -0800, Elana wrote:
I would like to know your opinion: does it make sense to request amniocentesis even if, G-d willing, there are no risk indicators for this? Has anyone done this test without indicators and regretted it? Has anyone NOT done this test and regretted that? I would never ever opt for an amnio if there are no risk factors, but then I have a history of miscarriages and wouldn't risk another pregnancy for anything. The risk of miscarriage is ~1% with an amnio. I didn't have amnio with DS, and since he turned out healthy, I didn't regret it. I won't be having an amnio this time either. We have conciously decided against it for two reasons. One, I don't want to take the risk. Two: whatever the outcome, I will carry this pregnancy to term anyway. Think about what you would do if your amnio results came back with bad news. If the answer is 'nothing', then why take the risk? -- -- I mommy to DS (July '02) mommy to four tiny angels (28 Oct'03, 17 Feb'04, 20 May'04 & 28 Oct'04) preggers with twins EDD August'05 guardian of DH (33) |
#10
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Elana wrote:
What do you think? Is a post-amnio miscarriage a "natural course of events" occurance, or is it murder? Interesting, I've never phrased the question that way, but it must have been how I thought it, because my philosophy was that I would not do anything to endanger my child's life. So, if I had agreed to an amnio (and toward the end there was a lot more pressure to have one because of all my high-risk stuff) and I lost my child, I would have felt completely responsible, so yes, it would have been (I can't quite say the word) intentional. -- Anita -- |
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