There is, in fact, a risk of miscarriage with an amnio (no matter how small) and there is, in fact, a risk of having a chromosomal abnormality (no matter how small a risk is predicted by the NT and bloodwork ratios).

I asked myself this question. If I miscarried this baby at 16 weeks because I chose to have an amnio, could I live with that? Of course I’d be devastated – but could I forgive myself and move on?

If I didn’t have the amnio and had a baby with a chromosomal abnormality, could I live with that? Would I regret not having had the decision to terminate because life with a seriously ill child would be impossible for me?

When I looked at it in that context, it was an easier decision for me.

I have a friend who swore she would choose to terminate for a chromosomal abnormality but refused an amnio. I personally think that’s foolish because you’re risking an outcome you would never knowingly choose.

Mel kindly pointed out to me that the above blog post is yours, not hers! Sorry for my oversight. I got confused because at the top of this page it says “by Lolipopgoldstein” and I think my attention went from that byline straight into the blog post.

Now that I’ve gone back to your post, I see that your byline is also listed, in a manner that clearly shows it’s your post, not Mel’s. And there’s even a link to your blog, which I’ve just looked at. Very nice — beautiful images — and your boy looks so sweet.

So the above comment is meant for you. Thanks very much for sharing your Amniocentesis experience with us.

Warmly, Karin

I really appreciate your post about your Amnio. I’m 39 now, and about 18 weeks pregnant via sperm from a known donor (I’m a single mother by choice) — and have just had my Amniocentesis a few days ago. The results should be revealed to me later this week. However, almost 3 years ago I got pregnant naturally with my then partner, and was also talked into having first a Nucchal scan, and then, based on those results, a CVS. I was sure that the fetus was healthy and normal, but 3 days later we got the call that the fetus did in fact have Downs Syndrome (trisomy 21).

I was not in the position at the time to raise a Downs Syndrome child — we had neither the resourcees nor the support around us (I’m American, but living in the UK, and most family and close friends are in San Francisco). I’m in a similar position now — but single — and have to admit, I’m on pins and needles about getting the results.

This time, again, my instinct tells me that the fetus is healthy and fine — but I’ve been in this spot before, and was let down in the past.

At the time, we elected to medically terminate the fetus, that is to have a D&C. It remains one of the most traumatic experiences of my life in this lifetime.

I especially appreciate your above story because my doctor, too, is Scottish and has a thick Glaswegian accent. He, too, is perfectly lovely and well mannered and brilliant at his work — and, fatefully, he is the same doctor who performed my CVS almost 3 years ago!

We both acknowledged on Friday to each other what had occurred almost 3 years ago — and how transcendent it would be for this result to be healthy and normal. It would bring things full circle and also allow me to move beyond this particular cycle and move into a new realm — meaning, I’d be able to let myself totally trust this pregnancy, invest in it wholeheartedly with my mind-body-spirit — and move on.

Thanks for sharing your experience with us about this test, and what it meant for you.

Warmly, Karin