Umbilical Cord Cyst - Beaumont,CA

I was 37 when I was pregnant and didn't have an amnio. I relied on the red flag blood tests the OB did prior to the amnio and also went to genetic testing which came out fine. I too was concerned as a friend of a friend had recently lost their baby due to a "mis-poke."

My un-medical opinion is unless you have a genetic pre-disposition to a specific disease or certain blood tests come out "off" then you should be fine. Their are a lot of down sides to actually having an amnio and it is truly your choice. Moral acceptance of what your higher power gives you for a child is the ultimately the point.

Hello, You have to decide whether or not to have the amnio done. It is your body and your baby.
Good luck with your precious baby.
K. K.

i had a CVS test..i advised my friend not to get the amnio ..she went ahead and did it anyway..and lost her baby..if you do get the amnio u have to go to the best..not just anyone..i don't see why you'd have to have an amnio for a cyst ..cysts come and go..i'm not a doc but i would get a 2nd opinion for sure..these docs are always trying to make an extra buck..good luck sorry to sound harsh about it but i just don't see why an amnio is necessary for a cyst.

I think you need to ask the doctor and yourself, what is the amnio going to tell you and is that information helpful? If it can provide you ways to better care for your baby, then maybe consider it. If not, I don't see the point. BUT, either way, you have to be comfortable with it. Isn't there anything they can tell you just from an ultrasound?

BTW, if you need a referral for a good perinatologist in Orange County, Dr. Tamerou Asrat at Magella in Newport Beach is AMAZING! He saved my life during my second pregnancy, watched so carefully over my third. Wonderful doctor!

-M

There are more risks of losing your baby by amnio then by the cyst. Have your doctor continue to monitor the cyst via ultrasound. There are things they can do if they suspect an infection such as antibiotics. Don't let him scare you into something that you feel will endanger your baby's life. You would be the one having to live with the ramifications of that decision should anything go wrong.

I think I would do some internet searching on some good medical sites like WebMD and Mayo Clinic. Then I think it would be a good idea to meet with your OB/Gyn just to discuss the pros/cons/risks of an amnio and what the ramifications are of the cyst (you may also want to get a second opinion). The risks of an amnio are low, but there are risks. Questions I have are: if you have an amnio and there is a cyst, what then? Is it dangerous? Does it endanger yiou and/or the baby? Do they treat it and how? Or, is it just there and you don't have to do anything about it? THe answers to those questions will make it clear as to whether or not you need to confirm the presence of a cyst with an amnio. I understand your fears, I'd be scared too; definitely talk to your medical professional, share your concerns with your husband/partner, parents, friends, clergy, etc (anyone who is willing to let you vent your feelings). It helps just to talk about it even if the other person doesn't have any "solutions". Good luck, and I hope all turns out well for you and your baby.

Just some food for thought... in Santa Barbara County they DO NOT DO amnios! Only CVS tests. Amnios can be risky and YES it TOTALLY makes a difference who does it! The more experience, the less the risk.
I have had 2 amnios (2 sons after 35) and my second boy came 8 weeks early because of some "mysterious" infection in my uterus. Hmmm...other than the baby, what's been in there in the past several months. OH YEAH, that big needle. No one in the medical community would blame the amnio, but... The baby was fine after 7 weeks in the NICU. Rough start!

The specialist that did both of my amnios did a 3-D ultrasound and said that he could detect genetic defects at a VERY high rate just from that ultrasound alone. I didn't believe the risk of amnio was that great, so I went ahead with it to be certain, but next time, I wont be having an amnio (after that premature birth). Maybe you could have the genetic ultrasound done, if your doc feels that they need to know more about what's going on in there. PLUS you'll get a great view of the baby! :)

Hi,

I have been pregnant four times--between the ages of 38 and almost 42 (last one was a surprise)! I miscarried twice (in first trimester) and then bore a healthy baby when I was 40 1/2 and another healthy baby when I was nearly 42. For my last two pregnancies, I opted not to get an amniocentesis. My perinatologist did a nuchal fold test instead. I'm not an expert on cysts on umbilical cords. I recommend asking your physician to describe the relationship between an amnio and a cyst. If you still have questions after that, then get another opinion. I recommend that people who have difficult questions confer with my perinatologist, Khalil Tabsh, head of obstetrics at UCLA.

Best wishes,
Lynne