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I've never had an amnio, but I just wanted to say that I feel for you. I'm so glad to have all the genetic issues behind me. It was the worst part of this pregnancy. Anyway, an amnio is the only way to know for sure if your baby has a genetic defect. It may be too early to see any physical markers for Down Syndrome on an ultrasound. The triple/quadruple maternal serum/ex-AFP test is only a screening to provide a risk a__sessment which has a false positive rate of around 20% (I think). The risk of miscarriage from an amnio is approximately 1 in 200. So, the difficult question to ask yourself is it worth the risk of losing this baby to find out? If you will love and nuture this child regardless if it has Down Syndrome, then it isn’t worth any risk. Good luck.

thanks for the input Calitrish....I don't really understand the false postive rate....I was told that I had a 1 in 8....basically, the way I do math that's a 12.5% chance give or take....but it's considered a positive test. Can you get a false positive out of that....if the baby is affected they were right, or if it isn't they were right...they only gave me odds...not a yes or no.

I have had several friends who have had amnio...without worries...and good results afterwards. If that is what is recommended by the docs put your faith in them. I understand your worries as it can be quite scary...but the chances of anything going wrong are very very slim. I wish you all the best and I will be thinking of you and your little one. XO Kristin

Basically, the 20% false positive means that 20% of women tested are falsely diagnosed as positive. This doesn’t necessarily mean you were one of them, since the screening specifically takes into account your age and various chemical levels in your blood which are soft markers for T21 and calculated that you have a 1 in 8 chance of having a baby with T21. Whenever the odds come out greater than 1 in 200, you are considered positive and they will usually recommend an amnio because your odds are supposedly greater that you have a baby with DS than you will have a miscarriage due to the amnio. As I mentioned, the screening is only a risk a__sessment - they will ONLY give you odds. Only an amnio can give you a yes or no at this stage. Kristin is right, the chances of anything going wrong with the amnio are very very slim. You need to do what is right for you. Not to influence you, but if I was given a 1 in 8 chance, I would have went through with the amnio. I am currently 37 and hoping to have second child before I am 40. I plan to forego the screening completely next time and go straight to an amnio. Wishing you the best.

i had it done with my 2nd pregnancy. I feel for you bc for me, it was very uncomfortable (sorry)....but it will let you know for sure the health of the baby without question.

Good luck today with you amnio. I hpe it all goes well.

Thanks everyone for you support....I'm going to go....just had cold feet for a bit.....just to be clear on the false positive though, as Calitrish explains it, and I understood it, 20% of the women that were given a less than 1 in 200 chance of having a downs baby...do not have one?

How did the amnio go? I wish you all the best!!

Hi All! The amnio was not as painful as I thought it would be, but very scary. I had an adrenaline rush that left me shaking for a bit....but otherwise no complications yet. Just waiting on the results, I chose the FISH test so should know by Friday at the latest.....I will log in and let you know when I do....please keep everything crossed for us.....thanks again for all your thoughts and input...no matter what comes they've helped a lot

Glad to hear you made it through the test. I think if there are any complications from the amnio, they would have happened already. Just take it a little easier for the next few days. Got my fingers crossed for you. Keep us posted.

I am happy...ecstatic....over-the-moon to login and tell you guys that the FISH test came back and the baby is fine....and a boy....

CONGRATULATIONS!! I am very happy and relieved for you! Now you can rest easy!!! All the best! Kristin

Congratulations ibk8t !! Wonderful news!

Congratulations!!! Breathe easy now and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!