Toxoplasma IgM

Borderline positive? Does that mean the IgM total levels were just above the cutoff for positive? The IgM is the first bloodstream response for antibodies produced to something the body is trying to fight off. Please find out if this was a specific test for toxoplasmosis or just a total IgM (not specific). Good luck!

The risk from amnio, as long as it is done by an experienced doctor, is very minimal. I would be much more concerned about the possibility of the parasite. I would ask the OB what "borderline positive" really means first. But I did get an amnio during my pregnancy, and it was a very simple procedure.

Tough choice. In my opinion, if you are worried and want to get the amnio, get to a perinatologist or a high-risk pregnancy OB. Rates of misscarriage are much less in the hands of someone really skilled. If you email me I can tell you of one doctor I know that is supposed to be really skilled at this.

And to help you TRY to worry less: Are you aware that
1. just being "positive" for toxoplasmosis doesn't mean your baby is in trouble? the only way to know for sure is if you had been tested prior to your pregnancy and been negative back then. Then you would know for sure that this is an infection you got during pregnancy. There's a chance you could have gotten this years ago and of course, that antibody will always be there with you but NOT affect your baby.

2. There are types of IgM for toxoplasmosis. I forgot the details but one of them TENDS to indicate an "old" infection and the other one usually indicates a "new" infection. If your OB is a good one, she can figure out which is which and use this in tryuing to determine if this might be something you got during your pregnancy.

3. One OB recently told me "in 30 years of practice I have only seen one case of toxoplasmosis and one case of listeriosis" -- so what are the odds this would happen to you if you are reasonable careful? (but yes, I know, easy to say don't worry, harder to actually do it)

I hope it turns out to be nothing and you go on to having a joyful uneventful pregnancy!

I had an amnio and was very nervous about the risk factors involved in it. I never wanted to do an amnio, but in an ultrasound they found an EFI in one of the chambers of his heart. It ended up being nothing.
But what I found out is that it's a very small risk factor for miscarriage. The procedure is easy. I never cramped but I do know people that had slight cramping that went away after a day. Ask your doctor how experienced they are in doing the amnio at their office and they should be able to tell you what their risk factor is. I went to a specialist that my doctor sent me to, that does amnios all day long and I knew that they had a very small risk factor at their facility. After having done the amnio, I would not be nervous to do it again if we decided to have another baby.

Oh M., I am sorry that you are going through this but I must say that the parasite possibly hurting your unborn child is a far greater risk. I have had 2 amnio's personally and have healthy babies as a result. It is unnerving (as is pregnancy is anyway sometimes)..now of course, the amnio is scary but if you follow the instructions completely it will most likely work out for you. The finding on miscarriage due to amnio is often found at the same time spontanious abortions happen without an amnio, so the findings are not full proof..as well, if you stay healthy and sanitary, there should not be infection.

You take care and I wish you the best..

I tested positive as do at least 50 percent of the world's population. My levels were so high that I could have been paid for my blood by companies that make treatments/vaccines. It's very common but most people don't realize they have it because they don't get tested for it. It is a problem if you were recently infected not if it's an infection you've had for awhile - and since your levels are low you've probably had the infection for some time. It's like the chicken pox virus or a lot of other viruses that will always remain in your body. Your OB probably won't be concerned. My fertility clinic didn't bat an eye. Hang in there.

Find out exactly what the positive test means. What does the treatment mean? What are the risks of doing nothing?

My understanding is that the only risk to the fetus is if your *first* exposure to toxo is during pregnancy. Mother's immune system protects against all further exposures. Were you around cats as a child?

I had some type of positive toxo test, can't remember the details (this was eight years ago.) We did nothing. Sam was fine.

I have had 2 c-sections with each of my kids.
It was fine.
I did it by choice.
I was over 35 at the time.

Regardless, you need to see if your baby has it.
Bottom line.

An experienced Doctor, will do it and it is fine.

Hi M.,

This can be a scary issue, but ask for a referral to a neonatal specialist before you freak out! :-)

My IgG levels were so high, my OB freaked out, but the specialist said I was OK. Here's some info from the CDC:

http://www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/HTML/Frames/S-Z/Toxoplasmosis...

It gives a chart looking at IgG and IgM tests. Really, consult with that neonatal specialist for further advice.

Best of luck to you!
C.

My 2 cents. don't have your OB do the amnio. There are special dr.'s and that is all they do. have one of them do it-the risks are very very small. I was "advanced maternal age" with my last 2. And it was done in a hospital, w/ what ever the dr was called. on the 2nd one I had to then go get a really long ultrasound...w/ a specialist. there was some concern with the heart. everything was fine. But, I'd rather know what to expect then have chaos at birth.