Do I really need to have an amniocentesis?

I'm 35 years old and pregnant for the first time. I was just wondering if I really should have an amniocentesis. Did others have one? Did others not have one? Please advise

Mel is not correct. You don't gotta have one.

The above poster is quite correct. This is a tough decision and one based a lot on what you are going to do with the information.

There are risks and benefits for amniocentesis and you ultimately have to decide whether it is right for you.

I think the first and most important issue to decide is what you would do with the information.

Amniocentesis is a procedure where a long fine needle is inserted (under guidance by ultrasound) through the wall of the womb and a small amount of amniotic fluid is sucked out. The cells gained this way can be analysed to determine if the child has any genetic abnormalities, particularly those giving rise to birth defects.

This is of particular relevance to mothers over the age of 40 years of age (see table of down syndrome risk) as the risk of Down Syndrome climbs to more than 1:100

In women below the age of 35yrs the risk of miscarriage from the procedure is actually greater than the risk of carrying a child with chromosomal abnormalities. Hence it is uncommon for mothers aged <35yrs to have amniocentesis.

The risk of miscarriage from amniocentesis is a bit less than 1%, with some variation depending on how far pregnant you are and with certain comorbidities you may have.

The first thing I think you should consider is:

Would you do anything different if you found your child had chromosomal abnormalities? eg. would you have an abortion?

If not (and some people choose that they will have whatever child they have and look after and love their child regardless) then it makes sense NOT to have amniocentesis. There are no other changes to be made in the choices about having your child in this instance and so it makes sense not to increase the risk of miscarriage for the sake of a little curiousity that will be satisfied 8 months later.

If you would make a change to whether or not you go through with the pregnancy, then you would need to discuss the procedure with your specialist(s) and decide whether you are happy to accept the risks.

Some mothers (particularly couples who have been trying very hard to become pregnant) will not choose to increase the risk of miscarriage.

The decision is a hard one, and it is ultimately up to you and your partner to discuss. You have to decide what is right for you, your partner and your baby.

I hope this has been of some help.

ps. Mysty Maple's information is not entirely correct. Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) is another technique to obtain genetic information about your embryo. However, it has approximately TWICE the miscarriage rate of amniocentesis and hence has fallen out of favour slightly.

extraction by centesis of amniotic fluid from a pregnant woman (after the 15th week of pregnancy) to aid in the diagnosis of fetal abnormalities.

Could be a good idea if the doctor recommends it.

got to go with your gut but remember this fore warned is fore armed

I had one. I can't speak to whether you really need one or not. I will say that it was very comforting when the nurse called and gave me the news that I had a "chromosomally healthy baby boy". The rest of the pregnancy was a breeze knowing that.

The biggest question is, how are you going to use that information? What if you didn't get happy news? Then, what? Do you need to know? Would it help you prepare for the possibility of having a special needs child? Would you terminate the pregnancy? Tough decision.

what's that??????????????

Why do they tell you that you need it?
Did they tell you that it could harm the baby if it got in the way of the needle?
Did they tell you about the accuracy of the test? Some people like you get told that they are carrying a downs syndrome baby and they decide to abort and find that the baby is OK. The test is not 100% accurate.
It is not worth the risk unless there is some big problem that they are looking for.

Unless you are willing to terminate the pregnancy if there is something wrong with the baby, then you shouldn't have it. Ask the doctor about a test called CVS, it's less invasive and is not as risky. There is a risk of miscarriage with amnio.