Amnio: Why Some Feel It's an Important Test

on June 13, 2009 at 8:00 AM

Amniocentesis is a test that may be recommended by an OB/GYN following an abnormal test, genetic concerns, and/or age of the mother (35 or older). An amnio can detect chromosome abnormalities, neural tube defects, and genetic disorders. It also can be done to test lung development and provides access to DNA for sampling.

There are risks involved and according to American Pregnancy, the chance of miscarriage is 1 in 400 for facilities that are highly skilled in this procedure, to 1 in 200 for others.

Some women choose not to test, but others want to know particularly if they are at-risk. And a compelling reason to test is so the mom can arm herself with knowledge to better prepare herself if in fact her child is born with special needs. As one mom said in a thread I was reading on CafeMom: Knowledge is power.

Browsing through many responses, I found the following points from moms who choose to get an amnio so they can be more informed and empowered when the child is born:

A negative test can ease worries; a positive test gives a parent more time to prepare.

Sometimes an amnio can reveal something that can allow a doctor to intervene and work to amend.
Counseling and support groups could help parents work out their feelings and emotions to prepare for a child born with Down Syndrome, Trisomy 21, spina bifida, or cystic fibrosis.
Knowing your child is at-risk for one of the above can help parents research and work out lifestyle changes, so they can provide the best for the baby once she is born.
If armed with this knowledge, parents can find the best doctors, so their child can get specialized care right away.

Did you or will you get an amnio?

About the author Michele Zipp

loves vintage and will defend skinny jeans to the death though she is highly superstitious and "death" is probably a bad word choice. She has a touch of the hoarding disease and enjoys sleuthing, the worst reality shows, and wearing high heels, even at the playground. She's an AP mom of twins, slightly crunchy but with a pedicure.

Filed Under: complications, tests & procedures

Comments (12)

Bubbles318

on Jun 13, 2009 at 9:46 AM

When I was told my daughter was born with CDH, it was suggested that I have an amnio done. But I refused. The doctor and genetic counselor said it would detect whether or not her CDH was caused by a chromosome abnormality. But, that would also mean she would've been mentally retarded. I already knew she wasn't from my ultrasound pictures. And I was also told that the amnio increases the rise of premature birth. I didn't want to give my daughter any more problems at birth that she was already facing.

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jeremysmom04

on Jun 13, 2009 at 11:07 AM

Not worth the risk, IMO. Besides, so many of the tests carry such a high false positive risk, why bother?

aurorabunny

on Jun 13, 2009 at 11:33 AM

I didn't think it was worth the risk for me either. Nothing it showed would have made me do anything differently so it didn't matter to me.

RanaAurora

on Jun 13, 2009 at 11:34 AM

I have absolutely no reason to get one.

You can't ever say there's no reason for one, they're not worth it, etc. because there can be incredible unique situations in which one could be entirely necessary.

teachermama81

on Jun 13, 2009 at 12:22 PM

With the amnio, there is no risk of false positives. It tests the baby's DNA. I personally have no reason to get one, I'm young, not high risk, no genetic problems run in my family. But that's not to say that there aren't many people out there who just want to know in order to have time to prepare.

on Jun 13, 2009 at 3:19 PM

teachermama, you still could have situations in which you'd get one. For example, on the show "Deliver Me", one of their patients had a baby whose intestines were on the outside of his body since the abdominal cavity didn't close. They did an amnio to test to see if the baby's lungs were developed so they could do a c-section as early as possible to prevent any damage to his intestines in utero (and he obviously couldn't be born vaginally anyway).

on Jun 13, 2009 at 8:29 PM

Oh yeah, I know that. I meant for "diagnostic" purposes, for checking for genetic problems :)

jmcgladr

on Jun 14, 2009 at 11:20 AM

I had one with my first. His nuchal translucency screen showed he had a slightly increased risk of Down Syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities, so we decided on the amnio to know for certain. The perinatologist who did the amnio had done hundreds of them, and none of his patients had suffered a miscarriage as a result, so I felt confident. It was SUCH an easy procedure, and such a relief when I got back his chromosome chart and it was perfectly normal!

KatieP.

on Jun 15, 2009 at 9:53 AM

I don't care if anyone else wants to get one but personally I would not. Simply because knowing would not change anything and it would make my already very difficult pregnancy worse.

Kristapista

on Jun 16, 2009 at 1:20 AM

I had one at 36 weeks with my first daughter to see if her lungs were mature. I had a horrible pregnancy that included a urethral stint (kidney to bladder), PICC Line for IV hydration(3 hours a day)and had passed over 55 kidney stones(I stopped counting).

The amnio came back that her lungs were NOT fully developed and for me - the needle going in and being moved around hurt like hell. In fact - it hurt worse than kidney stones that I had for 13 weeks!!!

I refused to have it done this time and I'll be induced at 38 weeks knowing there is a slight risk her lungs may not be fully developed. I did receive the steroid shots last week to help them develop. 4 more weeks to go!