My husband and I recently received a call stating that I am hormonally at risk of having a baby with Trisomy 18 also known as Edward’s Syndrome. It causes mental retardation, underdevelopment, and death before age one in most cases. We have an ultrasound in two days to see if the baby looks normal. IF the baby appears to have a few signs of the syndrome, should I have an amniocentesis done in order to diagnose it? An ultrasound cannot tell for sure if they baby does or does not have it. Abortion is NOT an option for us. We will be having this baby regardless. On one hand, it would be nice to know so that we can prepare ourselves emotionally for what out baby may look like or act like. It might also be an option to plan funeral arrangements (as morbid as that may sound) in lieu of an elaborate baby shower. On the other hand, an amniocentesis might cause me to miscarry. It’s possible that the baby is completely healthy, and by having the amniocentesis, we could harm it. Anyone been in this position? How did you choose? My husband and I disagree on whether or not we should have an amniocentesis.
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I wouldn’t so the amnio because of the risks, I would prepare youselves either way, one of the reasons the amnio is done digonos is to give the parents the choice to keep or abort if the child has the suspected condition you already made that decision why put a possibly healthy child at risk. You know there’s a possibility so prepare yourself for the worst and if you baby comes out fine then it’s a pleasent suprise
I had an amnio 3 weeks ago. My baby is developing fine and I had no complications.
When performed by an experienced physician the chances of miscarriage are roughly 1 in 1500.
And the futher along you are in your pregnancy, the less risky it would be anyway.
I would do whatever you want to do. Women have them done everyday.
It’s not as bad as people say. The only bad part was the discomfort. I cried like a baby! lol
You already know that there is a chance that the baby could have this syndrome, so you’re already aware and you can prepare yourself accordingly. Since having the amniocentesis can cause you to miscarry, why would you want to risk it.
Unless by having the amniocentesis something can be done prenatally that would help the child, then I say, “no.”
I had two friends where the doctors said they would probably have a child with major problems, and both children were born normally and very healthy.
Why would you do something to risk your pregnancy or possibly cause major damage to the child? It’s not worth it. Is knowing ahead of time so important that you are willing to risk permanently damaging your child so that they grow up with developmental problems or handicaps?
Waiting a few more months or knowing now won’t change anything. “Preparing emotionally” is a false claim on your part. You can prepare emotionally that you might have a disabled child without knowing either way. If he is born with the condition, then you are prepared for it. If he is born healthy, then it will be a big relief.