If I Had a Verify Blood Test Done and Got Negative Result Should I Have an Amnio

Updated on April 11, 2016
M.M. asks from Minooka, IL
12 answers

I am 46 years old and obviously concerned about any chromosome abnormalities. The blood test at 10 weeks came back negative but Im still not sure if I should still have the amnio.

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K.A.

answers from San Diego on

Just because you are older does not guarantee that anything is wrong. Even with the higher risk when you get older, it's still a very low chance of anything being wrong.
Personally, I wouldn't do an amnio unless other tests show problems. Do the ultrasound to look for markers. You've already done the blood test which came back with a negative. Amnios come with risks. When I had one done while pregnant with my second child I started having contractions and ended up on bed rest all weekend hoping I wasn't going to lose him. Thankfully the contractions stopped and all testing came back negative and the issues that came up on the ultrasound all resolved themselves before he was born and he's perfectly healthy now after being born full term.
Just relax. More pregnancies are perfectly fine then not.

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E.B.

answers from Honolulu on

After one successful, problem-free pregnancy, our second pregnancy was filled with issues. Non-stop difficulties. The ob-gyn suggested an amnio. We immediately informed him that terminating the pregnancy in the event of any abnormalities, no matter how severe, was something we would not consider. We loved his answer and I have never forgotten it.

He basically said "I respect your decision. However, an amnio isn't just about that. For example, if your baby has Down Syndrome, I understand that you will not terminate. However, many Down Syndrome babies have medical issues like possible heart problems, and other medical problems. If your baby has Down Syndrome, it is best to be prepared in the delivery room. We'll know we are delivering a baby with Down, and we can have support staff available in the event of a heart defect, or breathing difficulties. We'll make sure that the pediatric cardiologist is there. So don't think of this as a test to discuss abortion, think of it as preparing the absolute best medical support during the rest of the pregnancy and at the time of delivery for the baby that you want and love."

Just another point of view on how an amnio can be used. I had the amnio, and there were no complications from it.

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S.S.

answers from Atlanta on

M.,

The question is, if you are worried about abnormalities, are you going to abort or keep the baby?

Have you sat down with your husband and had a true heart-to-heart about this? What do you want to do if the baby has abnormalities? What does HE want to do?

I know a couple who are young (in their 20s) who found out there was a possibility of Downs Syndrome. They didn't care. Their daughter has mild Downs and is growing wonderfully!

If you are doing the test for planning purposes? I would have a talk with my OB/GYN and ask him or her to refer me to a specialist that can do the test without problems. There are complications that can arise from the amniocentesis.
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Amniocentesis/Pages/Complica...

I wish you luck!

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M.G.

answers from Portland on

I think if there's only reason for concern - like family history, etc. Your doctor can best advise you. Ultrasounds, etc. help they decide what needs to be done, so there are other things to consider. Good luck :) glad your results were negative

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D.B.

answers from Boston on

Are you being seen by a high-risk pregnancy specialist? If not, I'd suggest your talk first to your regular ob/gyn and then discuss a referral for an additional opinion from a specialist who can help you evaluate your test results as well as your family history and other factors. Good luck.

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J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

I think it depends on how reliable the blood test is and what your reasons are for wanting to find out if the baby has a chromosomal abnormality. I found out my son had severe brain abnormalities through the ultrasound. I knew I would never abort and the rest of my pregnancy was terrifying. I wish I hadn't known and just enjoyed the pregnancy. Once my son was born and I had him in my arms so many of those original fears vanished. However knowing his health issues did give my husband and me time to prepare an advanced directive for my son's medical care after birth. (My son only lived for 17 days.)

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M.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

This is exactly the kind of question genetic counsellors are trained to answer. Please call your ob and ask for a referral.

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L.L.

answers from Dover on

I would skip the amnio unless finding out about any abnormalities would change your decision to carry and/or keep the baby. To me, that is the only real reason to have it (personal opinion...not necessarily fact).

When I was pregnant with my first, although I didn't have any added risk factors and I was only 19), when they asked if I wanted the amnio test done (and indicated the test itself can cause miscarriage), I asked "what is it for?" and they said "to test for abnormalities". I asked "if it shows abnormalities, will it change anything (like can you treat/prevent them)?" They said "no". So the only thing it changes when you find out there is an issue. It doesn't change the issue at hand so I elected to not have the test with either of my pregnancies.

My sister and her friends have every test known to man when they are pregnant. Guess what, one of them had a false positive and stressed their whole pregnancy. My sister's test detected possible issue and it too was false. Neither of them had the amnio because of the miscarriage risk.

Tests are great but not everyone needs them. Pregnancy can be stressful enough without adding more.

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D..

answers from Miami on

What will you do if there ARE abnormalities? If you won't consider terminating the pregnancy for any reason, then perhaps it would be better not to know until the baby is born. Honestly, I think that this is the best way for you to decide.

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S.H.

answers from Santa Barbara on

Congrats!

I would start with the least invasive tests and if the odds are comforting, not do the amnio. I thought there are other tests (CVS) that are a bit safer than amnio (but it has been awhile since I was pregnant and i do not recall all the options).

I'm curious. Did you get pregnant naturally? Were your eggs frozen and from when you were younger? There are so many ways to get pregnant (maybe you used an egg from a donor), that have an impact on the risk.

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N.Z.

answers from Los Angeles on

What kind of blood test did you get because there are different types? If you got the one that checks the fetal DNA in the mother's blood, then you don't need amnio as that blood test is accurate as you'll get. If you got the other blood test that's been around that doesn't check the fetal DNA in the mother's blood, then I would talk to a medical specialist.

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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

I had an ultrasound for my son (4 yrs old) since I had no idea how far along I was. Turned out to be almost 11 weeks. During that scan, they thought the nucal fold was high so I was sent for CVS. The results came back negative. they wanted me to do an amnio to see if he had hemophilia. But since it was negative for downs, I saw no reason for it. We just were prepared just for his birth just in case. I ended with a C-section because he was breech and low water. It is good to be prepared. However, if you are concerned about issues with amnio, ask about other tests available, like CVS or an ultrasound for markers first.

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