Amniocentisis...does It Hurt?

Hi Kelly, some words of encouragement and reassurance, I hope: I had to have an amnio with my last baby (4 years ago this month, actually), and it was MUCH easier than I imagined! It does sound very painful and uncomfortable when you hear about it. I squeezed my hubby's hand really hard and kept my eyes closed. I actually don't remember a typical "stinging" like you feel with a needle, but what I do remember is the pressure. Of course, knowing it was being done to help my baby made it easier, too. But is was nothing remarkable or unbearable -- and it is very quick, too. I wish you the best!

I've had 2 amnios, both to check the maturity of the lungs--both times it was OK. Yes, it hurts, but not unbearably, and better to know that it is OK for your baby to breathe. (Did they tell you that if the lungs aren't quite ready that they give you a steroid shot to develop them and then wait a couple of days to induce?) One of my babies was born 9 days "early" and the other born 10 days "early" and the amnios were done 2 days before the births. I'm wanting to re-assure you because I was horrified by the unsupportive responses a couple of moms posted here.

I'm like you in that I'm either tolerant of pain or really, I think that I just don't feel it (I don't get novacaine when I have a cavity filled or a filling replaced). It's not all that bad, like a 3 out of 10 on the pain scale.

It's better if you just watch the sonogram screen and not look at the needle in your skin.

Best of luck to you and congrats!

I had an amnio with my first daughter and it wasn't as bad as I had anticipated. If possible, don't watch - just watch the ultrasound screen and keep focused on that little baby. The initial stick is the same as any other prick, and it burns a bit like when you get a vaccine, but it is by no means intolerable. I'd give it about a 3 or 4 on the pain scale. :)

Work on focusing on your breathing as if you were in labor and stare at that baby - it will take your mind away from what's going on down there. My whole procedure wasn't 3 minutes tops, so it's much faster than labor!

No...and I am a wimp! I had an amnio at 37w 6d and it did not hurt at all. The doctor said it was because my belly was so stretched out there wasn't much to poke through! Good Luck!

First, don't look at the needle. It is really long. I have had an amnio & it wasn't bad. Yes, as you expect it does hurt when they poke it through your belly, but they don't move it around like they do with an IV. It is really not as bad as it sounds. I didn't look at the needle b/c I can't stand needles & I didn't want to know how long it would be.

God bless!

I chose to have amniocentesis since I am an older mom and I wanted to know if my baby had any chromonsomal issues. I wanted to be prepared. I do not remember it being tremedously painful. I think it was an odd sensation. This was early in pregnancy. I am not sure how it feels later in the pregnancy when your belly is tighter and there is less room. I felt some cramping afterwards. I know they suggest that you take it easy afterwards. The OB at St. Mary's in St. Louis was great. She joked around to make me feel better. They watched the baby on the ulrasound to make sure that they were not going to hurt the baby. In my case, I do not think that I would choose to do it again for my particular reason not because it was painful but the only likely benefit was for my personal reassurance. If there were a true medical emergency that necessitated induction I would be more personally inclined to do it.

Although you did not say, I am assuming since they are doing an amniocentesis and an induction that your OB is suggesting it for medical reasons for you and/or the baby. If you have any questions regarding medical reasons the March of Dimes has info on their website. Like anything amnioentesis and inductions carry risks and benefits. Good luck with everything and enjoy your baby.

One poster asks why are they concerned if it is after 36 weeks. The March of Dimes also has some great research on their website regarding this. Research is finding that there are real risks to late preterm births. Our St. Louis paper just ran a great article on this. The mom was induced at 37 weeks for suspected big baby. her situation was not one of the medically indicated reasons for inductions.

Here is the article.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/lifestyle/stories.nsf/he...

My amnio was a breeze. I felt a little stick of the needle like getting my blood drawn, but nothing after that. I recall the site being slightly sore afterward, but it was not nearly as bad as when I've had shots in my arm. As for the needle, my doctor was strategic in that he placed himself between me and the needle so that I never saw it. Based on your description of your tolerance for pain and lack of fear of needles, I would say you'll likely find that the procedure is not painful at all. Best of luck to you!

I have not had an amniocentisis, however I wanted to inquire why you are seeking an induction - is there a medical reason why you or your baby(s) cannot continue pregnancy until labor starts naturally? babies bodies release some chemicals to trigger the start of labor under most circumstances when the babys body is developed enough to handle the transition to breathing and no more circulation of oxygenated blood through the umbilicus. I have seen both sides of the argument for inducing labor - babys born too soon,and esp via cesarean, having difficulty with the transition. My brother and wife experienced a late third trimester stillbirth which was extremely traumatic for them. it is your decision - it's your body. A friend had her baby die in-utero due to a mistake made during an amniocentisis - the needle accidently punctured the baby's heart......so be sure to assess the experience of the md doing the procedure and the risks and medical neccessity of amnio vs the benefits of inducing birth. one final note - the rush to clamp off the umbilical cord is theorized to cause stress on the baby's body and make the transition of breathing unnaturally dificult. delayed cord clamping allows needed blood to flow thru the umbilical cord into the baby's body - decreasing the risk of anemia, low oxygen levels. the baby is at increased risk of jaundice perhaps, which is temporary usually and clears quicker when baby is breastfed soon after birth and kept at mama's bedside for frequent feedings after birth. have a few helpful people on call to assist you when you go home so you and the father can get some much needed rest. good luck! A. in columbia, mo

No it doesnt hurt more than any other needle stick, but how far along are you? have they done the plan ole ultrasound to determine this? Unless you measure less than what you should be and your earlier than say 36 weeks why are they concerned? Oh well the delivery will more than likely hurt worse so good luck with your new little one.

I had to get one and it was painful but it was tolerable. You will be alright! :)

I have to say that chances are they aren't fully developed. Did you know that due dates are only estimates and that the reason labor starts is that something changes in the baby's brain that tells your body the baby is ready to be born? They could be wrong enough about your due date to make your baby even more premature than they say it is.

All research shows that babies born even one week premature have higher death rates as well as higher rates of behavioral problems and lifelong breathing problems such as asthma. You didn't give any details, but please consider not inducing your labor. Especially if they want to induce you because of the size of your baby. They are more often wrong about that than not. Good luck.