peakresident
Registered User
thanks. my results still very vry low risk and both doctors i go to insist on no amnio. my hubbie still wants one, i believe the docs and am confused........:Butbut
Amniocentesis - cost and other info.
- Thread starter sunnysideup
- Start date
Think of it this way, find out your risk of down's syndrome, such as a chance of 1/whatever, everyone is different for this based on your results, and then the risk of miscarriage from the amnio as 1/whatever (sorrry I can't remember what it is off hand, maybe someone else on here can), if your chance of miscarriage is much higher than the chance of there being a genetic problem, then that may sway your decision.
The chance of miscarriage when I has an amnio was 1 in 100.
However, if you are concerned about the health of the baby and if it does have a genetic problem that may affect your decisions, then it is worthwhile doing. It sounds to me like the dr's are just being overly cautious because of your age-bracket.
I had to have a vaginal amnio because of where the baby and placenta lay. My nuchal translucency results came back with a 1 in 110 chance of Down Syndrome, which is why we had to have the amnio done.
The amnio itself was like a really bad/painful pap smear, and there was some residue bleeding afterwards (which did clear up reasonably quickly). I got to watch the ultrasound as they guided the needle up, and I'll be the first to admit it was scary to watch because of the seemingly close proximity of the needle to the baby. However our results came back clear, and with a 100% confirmation of the sex of the baby. We had initial results within 48 hours, and complete results in 7 days. They test for several genetic disorders, some which require the cultures to be grown over a period of days, which is why the final confirmation takes a little longer.
I have never met or heard of anyone who has had a miscarriage from the procedure, although I am sure given the ratio they put on it there are a few out there.
I can appreciate what a truly hard decision it is to make. I am sure you will make the right one for yourself and your family.
My son was born healthy and normal... I am sure given your good results so far your baby will be the same.
However, if you are concerned about the health of the baby and if it does have a genetic problem that may affect your decisions, then it is worthwhile doing. It sounds to me like the dr's are just being overly cautious because of your age-bracket.
I had to have a vaginal amnio because of where the baby and placenta lay. My nuchal translucency results came back with a 1 in 110 chance of Down Syndrome, which is why we had to have the amnio done.
The amnio itself was like a really bad/painful pap smear, and there was some residue bleeding afterwards (which did clear up reasonably quickly). I got to watch the ultrasound as they guided the needle up, and I'll be the first to admit it was scary to watch because of the seemingly close proximity of the needle to the baby. However our results came back clear, and with a 100% confirmation of the sex of the baby. We had initial results within 48 hours, and complete results in 7 days. They test for several genetic disorders, some which require the cultures to be grown over a period of days, which is why the final confirmation takes a little longer.
I have never met or heard of anyone who has had a miscarriage from the procedure, although I am sure given the ratio they put on it there are a few out there.
I can appreciate what a truly hard decision it is to make. I am sure you will make the right one for yourself and your family.
My son was born healthy and normal... I am sure given your good results so far your baby will be the same.
The OSCAR test is the nuchal transluency test combined with a blood test and is considered to be the most accurate way of testing for downs syndrome (w/out having amnio which is the only way of knowing 100% as the OSCAR test is not 100% reliable).
If your OSCAR test comes back with a high risk for downs syndrome then you will be advised to do an amnio, but you don't have to if you don't want to- although most Drs would recommend it.
With my first born my OSCAR test came back with a 1 in 60 chance of downs syndrome, I decided against an amnio and my son was born healthy and normal.
With my second born I decided not even to have the OSCAR test, seeing as it had been so inaccurate with my son. My daughter was also born healthy and normal.
But everyone has to come to their own decision on the tests.
The OSCAR test is usually performed around 12-13 weeks.
It is possible to find Drs in HK who have an amnio miscarriage rate of just 0.5%
If your OSCAR test comes back with a high risk for downs syndrome then you will be advised to do an amnio, but you don't have to if you don't want to- although most Drs would recommend it.
With my first born my OSCAR test came back with a 1 in 60 chance of downs syndrome, I decided against an amnio and my son was born healthy and normal.
With my second born I decided not even to have the OSCAR test, seeing as it had been so inaccurate with my son. My daughter was also born healthy and normal.
But everyone has to come to their own decision on the tests.
The OSCAR test is usually performed around 12-13 weeks.
It is possible to find Drs in HK who have an amnio miscarriage rate of just 0.5%
Not sure if this was mentioned or if they do this procedure in Hong Kong but it is called the CVS Chorionic villus sampling Test. "The goal of CVS is to obtain a tiny tissue sample from your placenta, which will be sent to a lab for analysis. The doctor withdraws the sample through either your cervix or your abdomen, depending on which approach gives her best access to your placenta. A technician uses ultrasound to help guide the procedure." You can get it done around the 11 and 12th week of pregnancy. For more information about the procedure, you can click on this website: http://www.babycenter.com/0_chorionic-villus-sampling-cvs_328.bc?page=1&articleId=328 Hope that helps.
peakresident
Registered User
i am still continuing this and the same dilemma...my quad screening (tests had to be sent to london) have come back 1/2700 for DS and the miscarriage risks from amnio are 1/200 or 1/100 depending on who you believe, so far far higher...my doctors are still against me doig it ( 1 ma 20 weeks give or take) buts it my decision...i think its not worthwhile give such low ratios but am 39...any thoughts
I am a mother of baby boy and I am 37. My blood test for DS came back 1/700. I was really really worried since most of my mum friends test result were sooooo much higher than mine. None of them were even close to the result I got....
My husband and I researched about amnio and decided NOT to take it. The reason was we were already in love with our baby who was not even born yet.
We thought if we take the amnio test and result come back negative but lose a baby as a result of amnio test, we will blame ourselves for rest of our life. So we decided to go on without amnio.
I was worried that my age might cause DS for my baby. But he was born healthy and normal.
I think it is personal choice. There is no right or wrong choice here. The only thing I can advice you is talk to husband and make decision which both of you will not regret.
Sucellia
My husband and I researched about amnio and decided NOT to take it. The reason was we were already in love with our baby who was not even born yet.
We thought if we take the amnio test and result come back negative but lose a baby as a result of amnio test, we will blame ourselves for rest of our life. So we decided to go on without amnio.
I was worried that my age might cause DS for my baby. But he was born healthy and normal.
I think it is personal choice. There is no right or wrong choice here. The only thing I can advice you is talk to husband and make decision which both of you will not regret.
Sucellia
peakresident
Registered User
thanks for that...does anyone know of very good results that have been wrong...?my doctor has misdiagnosed once in 25 years..am assuming thats over 10000 patiesnts and only one mistake..thats go to be a pretty good track record....
mscheerful
Registered User
i was 41 when pregnant. my doctor told me to take the OSCAR and said this is enough, no Amnio needed. I have a perfect healty boy.
CVS is available in HK from about 12 weeks. I had one done (due to high risk OSCAR results) at Dr Lam's clinic in Central which was very quick and painless (with a little discomfort during process). Results for DS back in about 1 day and results for other chromosonal abnormalities in about 10-12 days. Tests only chromosones and not all congenital disorders (such as spina bifida) which the amnio does.
Understand Dr Lam is very experienced in amnio and CVS (altho quite brusque in manner - just my opinion) and with 1 day of total rest I was fine . Cost about $5500 - cash only (found out last minute and had to dash to nearby ATM).
Understand Dr Lam is very experienced in amnio and CVS (altho quite brusque in manner - just my opinion) and with 1 day of total rest I was fine . Cost about $5500 - cash only (found out last minute and had to dash to nearby ATM).