To Amniocentesis Or Not?
Tuesday was by far a better day than Monday. We were informed and educated in the risks associated with doing an amniocentesis and in our chances of our child developing Down Syndrome or Trisomy 18.
After the Genetic Counselor reminded us that the risks of doing the amniocentesis were greater than the risks associated with the two soft markers, and coupled with my Integrated Prenatal Screening, and even before she left the room to allow my husband and I to discuss, we both pretty much had made our decision. Fortunately, our decision was unanimous. We would not have an amniocentesis done but we would like another ultrasound.
We understand that the ultrasound will not tell us any definite answers, but given the stress we went through, we feel we deserve a third look. We would like the ultrasound technician to take measurements again, and upon their report to the doctor, would like to know if all organs and external limbs are still developing at their normal expected rate.
We don’t care if the two soft markers are still there or not. If, and only if, this third ultrasound test shows abnormal development rates, we will make a decision whether to pursue it further with the amniocentesis. But we are confident that since the growth rate has so far been normal, and the results of the Integrated Prenatal Screening are still in our favour, we anticipate the growth rate to continue as normal.
We are slowly coming back to our euphoric parenthood expectation. There is no greater fear than the unknown especially when it comes to your child. Positive thinking has its rewards, but meeting with the Genetic Counselor was one of the smartest and most educated things my husband and I have both done.
Without the counselor we would not have been able to make an informed decision, and for that, we are grateful.
Wow, quite a roller coaster ride you’ve been on. I’ll hope for the very best for the three of you.
With all these ultrasounds, do you know the sex? They asked us if we wanted to know and Cyndi and I both said no. They were very good at respecting those wishes. We had to pick out two sets of names and hold off decorating the nursery but it was nice to be surprised at the end.
~jon
Yes, we do know the sex! We wanted to know so we asked if they would tell us. They said “Eighty percent chance that it’s a girl”. She pointed out how she could tell, and it was pretty obvious to us that it will be a girl. When I got home I Googled how to tell if it’s a boy or girl from ultrasound pictures, and there was no doubt in my mind it was a girl. It was a pretty clear picture.
My husband and I believe that this will be our only child, and since we’re both so eager, we wanted to know as soon as possible. And my husband and I decided to prepare the nursery first, so with decorating in mind, we wanted to know the sex.
Monica Pap
I never had a regular pregnancy – they were all high risk. The first three miscarried, and I remember well the mixed elation, fear, sorrow, joy, excitement, fear… it’s such a mishmash when there is a huge dose of reality thrown your way in the middle of a pregnancy. I feel for you, it it sounds like you have a very attentive and alert doctor to help you through it all!
I actually asked for an ultra-sound every month, since my OB did them in his office. The reassurance was such a blessing. But 7 ultrasounds showing a girl were all wrong – we had a baby boy who we did NOT name Emily!
Lisa, thanks for your comment and for your support. Yes, having the reassurance is wonderful to have. I’m glad everything went well for you in the end on all of your pregnancies.
Seven ultrasounds and they were wrong about the sex! Wow! But regardless, the baby is still wonderful no matter if it’s a girl or a boy.
We’re expecting a girl, but I’ve only had two ultrasounds. I guess we’ll find out what “it” is upon delivery!
Monica Pap
I love you Monica. You and I are very close with our pregnancies, 5 weeks or so (I think). I send you much love and a BIG hug, stay positive. The doctors are not always right. When my brother and his wife were pregnant, the doctor phoned them on a Thursday to say that their tests came back and the results are that their baby was going to have Spinal Bifida. My brother and his wife went out of town that weekend and when they came home there was another message from their doctor asking them to phone them back… the result of that conversation… was… Oh sorry, we were mistaken, your baby is not going to have Spinal Bifida, you are actually going to have twins… now can you imagine how many people would have gone out to have an abortion when there was nothing wrong… Stay positive my friend, you are healthy and so is Ryan… I love you and am sending you lots of positive energy.
The nurse made an annotation in her notes, and though she respected our wishes and kept mum, she very proudly showed them to us to prove that she had read the ultrasounds right. Both were girls, just as she called it.
Of course we were later told that they were boys at a McDonalds because we had them dressed in blue. Cyndi told the lady, “They’re girls.” The woman insisted, “No, they’re boys.” Sheesh, some people.
You’d think we might know. 
In fact I advise staying away from McDonalds all together. At another visit we were told we were their grandparents. My hair wasn’t even gray yet!
jon