Dear mommas, I am asking this question for my cousin. She is 30 years old and 23 wks preganant, and because of a certain abnormality in other tests, she was advise to do amnio even at this stage. She is nervous. How can I help her make the best deciison for her? Anyone else do amnio at this stage?
Thank you.
Jilly
I had one pretty late. Just make sure she goes to a specialist that does amnio as their primary role, not a doctor who does it occasionally.
Best of luck to her and her baby.
I had an amnio at 22 weeks and it went ok. I believe the risks are the same whether you do it late or early.
The risk of miscarriage due to amnio is the same as the risk of miscarriage throughout the pregnancy so it is fear all women have somewhat regardless of having amnio or not.
If she wants to she should have the amnio in order to prepare for the future AND it is nobody's business what the results are or what happens to the pregnancy. Just be there for her and her partner and don't judge anyone.
Is she planning to terminate her pregnancy if the amnio test shows something is wrong with the baby? If the answer is "No," then I would advise her not to do it. Why? Because there is a risk of having a miscarriage from having amniocentesis done and IF the amnio shows that the baby is "normal" wouldn't it be devastating for her to lose a healthy baby? I'm pregnant with baby #4 and it wasn't planned or expected. Because of my age, my doctor asked me if I had an amnio, would I terminate my pregnancy. I told him I would keep my baby no matter what. So, I opted not to have any tests that would possibly require an amnio for further evaluation. It's a very personal decision but I based my decision on my Faith.
It should be fine! I agree with C.M. -most OB offices have "dedicated" amnio doctors in the practice that do all the amnios so they're very good and familiar with them. Make sure the person doing hers is one of those!
