728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
Get Pregnancy Information
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Tests and Procedures › Analyzing Amnio

Analyzing Amnio

The Ins and Outs of Amniocentesis

By Laura Cone

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

If you find out your child has a birth defect, there is still hope. "There are always new medical and surgical treatments," Kling says. "The goal is to one day be able to treat all these disorders in the womb so the baby can be born healthy. We are funding research on a number of birth defects, the origins as well as treatments."

Kling says most of the time screening and diagnostic tests simply confirm the baby is healthy. "Nobody goes into a pregnancy thinking they are going to have a problem," Kling says. "Everybody goes into it thinking they are going to have a healthy baby."

Jennifer Kumble of Manhattan, N.Y., the mother of a 4-year-old boy and twin 10-year-old girls, says she had amnio for both pregnancies. For the first pregnancy, the fact she was having twins was considered high risk. "My second pregnancy was after I was 35," Kumble says. "In both cases, it was perfectly normal for me to have amnio."

But Kumble says most of her friends have amnio even if they don't have high risk factors or a history of genetic problems. "I can tell you everyone is crazy here," she says. "Everybody has amnio. It does not matter if they are 22 or 30 or 42. I know I did and [so did] all my friends who go to my doctor." All three of her children are healthy.

Kumble says she would have been fine without the information the amnio gave her. "I'm not really that neurotic," Kumble says. "I'm more like 'Let the chips fall where they may.' If there is something I can do, then give me information and wonderful. If there isn't, I'll deal."

While some people elect amnio because all their friends are having it, it's a diagnostic test, which requires more contemplation than having your teeth cleaned. Weigh the benefits and risks and then talk to your doctor or a genetic counselor to find out if it's best for you and your baby.

What You Need to Know About Amnio
  • Rest and avoid heavy lifting for a few days after having amnio.
  • Expect some minor cramping after amnio. Some women experience leaking of amniotic fluid and vaginal spotting. Call your doctor if you have a fever or spotting.
  • Results usually come two weeks after performing chromosome analysis.
  • Your doctor may need to repeat the test if the results are not clear. You may need to wait another two weeks for results.
  • Just because the amnio results show your child does not have Down syndrome or a specific disorder does not mean your child will not have any birth defects. Doctors use amnio to look for specific disorders.
  • Amnio is usually performed 15 to 18 weeks after your last menstrual period but can also be performed in the third trimester to determine if your child could breathe on his or her own in case of a premature birth.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate the rate of miscarriage due to amnio is 1 in 200 to 1 in 400.
  • Amnio also can be used to diagnose a uterine infection.
  • Discuss the amnio procedure with a genetic counselor who can help you understand the risks and benefits for you.
  • Tour hospitals and investigate your options. You may decide to choose a hospital with better technology or a specialist as well as a registered diagnostic medical sonographer who will provide ultrasound guidance during the procedure.


Pages:  1  2  3  4  

Want to see more?

Comments

There are no comments for this article yet.Be the first to add a comment.

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.