amniocentesis

[lilacgirl]

I am only around 11 weeks pregnant. Planned because we weren't using contraceptives, but when you've not been using them for 6 years you start to wonder if it's ever going to happen! I am 40 so will be offered the amniocentesis test. I will be taking it as I'm afraid I could not cope with a disabled child. However, I'm told this test isn't taken 'til later in the pregnancy, around 16-18 weeks, by which time I think I am defo going to be showing, as I already have a little bump. I have an 8 year old who is going to start asking questions I'm sure, but we don't want to tell her until we know the result of the amniocentesis. Can anyone offer some words of advice and comfort?

[OBonio]

If you can afford it (some NHS places offer them free), you can have a Nuchal Translucency test at 12 weeks. I think being 40 you will be encouraged to have an amnio too, but the NT will tell you the chances Down's and .. something else I can't remember the name of. We had to pay for ours and it cost us about �100. Well worth it though, and we got to keep the pictures :o). Some more info here :

http://www.diagnosticultrasound.org.uk/nuchal_ translucency.htm

[lilacgirl]

Thanks very much for the info. Am seeing the midwife on Friday so maybe she'll give me some more pointers.

[redcrx]

some hospitals give the nuchal test at 12 weeks as standard.
I know that in younger women the amnio is only given if blood results show a chance of 1 in 250 or higher risk. Blood tests are taken around 12 weeks if i remember correctly and they combine the result with other factors like age to give the figure.
As Obonio says it would be worth paying for the nuchal scan if you are not offered it as routine and to speak to your midwife of your concerns.

[Taz70]

Just bear in mind that the amnio test does carry a risk of miscarriage. That's the main reason why I didn't bother having it with either of my two kids (luckily they are both fine). If its taken you 6 years to get pregnant, how would you feel if you had the test and miscarried a healthy baby? I know it would be hard to cope with a disabled child, but I don't think I could go through with an abortion, so there wasn't really a choice for me. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Le Chat]

Lilacgirl, I was 39 when I had my 2nd son and asked for an amnio (same reasons why as you). In the area I live it is not routinely offered now until 42yrs.(goalposts moved) As I didn't want to wait for the results (normally they take about 4 weeks, on top of the weeks you have to wait to have it) I said I would pay to have them analysed quicker. Apparantly, everyone can have them analysed quicker on the NHS but they don't advertise this to save money!!!! I had my results in 2 days. I also had the amnio at 13 weeks. The 1% miscarriage chance is also down to the skill of the Dr, not the actual test itself. ie, the Dr may accidentally pierce the baby with the needle. So make sure that your obstetrician has done plenty of amnios!!
I was relieved to continue my pregnancy knowing that jnr was in perfect genetic health and am happy to say that the little fella in now nearly three! However, having a nipper at 39 has really zapped my energy, much more than when I had no 1 at age 32!

[lilacgirl]

To Taz70 - I'm a real believer in what will be will be, so if the amnio does cause a miscarriage then it's happened for a reason.

To Le Chat - thanks for tip on getting results quicker, I can't imagine adding another 4 weeks to this process just to find out the results. Glad to hear your little fella is all well but not good to hear at 39 you lack the energy to keep up with him! I am almost 41 - what chance do I have?!!

Thanks to everyone for your answers.

[Taz70]

I think that's a slight contradiction - you are a real believer in what will be will be. Why have the amnio at all if this is the case, because if your child was handicapped then it would be for a reason?

I suppose everybody's entitled to their opinion, but if this baby is so precious to you then you wouldn't want to possibly damage its health with tests and then go through with an abortion because it didn't fit your idea of "perfect."

Going through with an abortion is interfering with nature and not letting things be how they are supposed to be. I know I'm lucky that I have 2 healthy children, but if I did happen to have a disabled child, then I would love it just as much purely because it would be a part of me. I just can't understand those that kill an unborn child just because it's not perfect.

I know I've opened up a hole can of worms with this, but I can't help how I feel - sorry.

[lilacgirl]

Yes, as soon as I'd sent my comments, I realised what I'd said was a contradiction.

My comments still stand - we could not cope with a disabled child, which is why we need to know. We'd kind of got to the point of "if it happens it happens, but if it doesn't it's not the end of the world either" after 6 years and therefore if it was all to go away again (whether accidentally or intentionally) I'd like to think neither of us would be too upset. You clearly have stronger views on abortion than we do - maybe when we're faced with the situation and have to make the choice, our views may change. But at this moment in time, we need to know the results so we can make an informed choice.

I'm sorry to say I don't think I could love a disabled child as much as a non-disabled child and I don't think that would be fair.

Can we agree to disagree on this?

[Taz70]

It's a free country and everybody is entitled to their opinions. I respect yours and if you don't think you could cope with a disabled child, then that is your choice to make. You're right, I don't agree with abortion, but that is just my belief, as you are entitled to yours. I'm sure you would love your child whether it happened to be disabled or not, once you had it in your arms, but if you don't think you could love it as much, you're right, it wouldn't be fair and perhaps it would be better to be forewarned and then decide then.

Just bear in mind, no test is 100% accurate and I have heard stories of women aborting perfectly healthy babies when tests had told them otherwise.

Anyway, of course we can agree to disagree - that's what makes the world go round, lol. Good luck with your pregnancy and I wish you well for the future.

[ganesh]

Don't you think it's sad that there isn't a blood test that you could have which says it is or isnt Downs,or any other serious genetic problem.? So many people have refused the amnnio because of the miscarriage risk. Chances,risks and possibilities are all very well but you know deep down that you could be the one- the one in 50 or the one in 1,000. Let's hope the definitive test is discovered soon.
My risk of Downs was about 1 in 400, but I couldnt risk losing it, I was so sick, I couldnt bare the thought of going through another another pregnancy.
Anyway good luck with the baby, your 8yr old may just think youve got a bit fat!

[lilacgirl]

What a cheek - my 8 year old may think I've just got fat!! That made me giggle.

I've been for the scan today and the NT (neuchal measurement thing) gave me a 'score' of 1 in 68 (because of my age) - reduced to 1 in 12 after the measurement was taken. Not looking good. I'm currently waiting for a call back from the lady who does the amnio screening to arrange to go for the test. Midwife says they do it at 13 weeks and get the results in 10 days - I can live with that. Wish me luck!

[ganesh]

No offence lilacgirl- only joking-but I didnt really show the first time until 5 months,small baby , tight muscles, and lots of morning sickness I guess.
That risk does sound rather high-good luck with the amnio.