Conference moira::parenting_v3

    The same thing happened to my wife...
    
    The second time (she wasn't looking forward to it either) was
    succesful.
    
    
    Serv

    Lynne,
    
       I went through about the same thing in March.  I was 14 weeks along
    also.  They were not able to get a clear pocket to put the needle in.
    After four tries they gave up and told me to come back in two weeks
    that at 14 weeks this was very common.  I went back two weeks later
    and they found a good pocket but the needle would not penetrate the
    sac.  On the third time they thought they were in but when he tried
    to withdraw the fluid nothing came out.  The membrane was covering the
    tip of the needle and would not go through for anything.  Maybe this
    is what is happening to you as well.  I asked the doctor if this was 
    common and he said it was, but I had never heard of anyone having this
    problem.  
    
    Anyway, they were not able to do the amnio.  I was a little worried
    because of my age (36) but in September I gave birth to a beautiful 
    little girl whom I adore.  Try not to worry if they aren't able to 
    do it, I felt at that point I was out of my hands and I could only 
    hope for the best and I think I got it!
    
    Good luck,
    
    Vickie
    

    
    My spouse had amnio when Eric was coming; I don't remember the
    development stage.  The first two insertions produced nothing; the
    third was fine.  She couldn't see just what was going on, and wasn't
    very bothered.  I came within an inch of passing out cold, and was
    still shaking an hour later. _Rationally_ I knew they were unlikely to
    skewer whatever little squirmer was in there (or some non-replacable
    part of his mom), but that wasn't the way it felt!
    
    Hang in there (take this as a suggestion to both fetus and parents, if
    you like).
    
    		- Bruce
    

    On Wednesday I had my amnio done for the second time. It worked!!!!!
    It went very fast, less than 4 minutes to drain some liquid out. 
    I'm glad it over, now I have to wait 3 to 4 weeks for the results.
    
    I'll keep you posted,
    
    Lynne

    Hi,
    
    You ain't heard nuthin yet. . . When I had mine, they called 2 days
    later to say there was a mistake - they had withdrawn urine from my
    bladder!  I returned a few days later and had the second one "on the
    house".  [Hospital unnamed]  was a WEE bit embarassed.  The second time
    the radiologist was the chief doctor who is a professor there!
    
    Our daughter is 8 weeks, perfecto, and just gorgeous.  I was very tense
    before we got the results and needed massage to get relaxed again.  Now
    I'm relaxed but so tired, natch.  But VERY happy and grateful to the
    One who gives us everything.
    
    Laura
    

    Laura I love that story!  If amnio fluid is supposed to be clear, then
    wha tcolor was the urine?
    
    What I can't understand is how come it takes about 4 weeks for the
    results of the amnio to come back, and if your in distress and need to
    have an early delivery those amnio results come back within an hour?
    What's the difference?
    
    The worst part I remember is having to maintain a full bladder
    throughout the thing.  But was *very* interesting is to see the genetic 
    tracing it produces.  I had the priviledge to see my son's (ours?)
    after his birth.  My OB wanted to do anothe amnio at his birth, but in
    my case I had lost considerable amount of fluid already and didn;t have
    enough to safely do the test.  That's why we were doing an emergency
    C-Section anyway.
    
    Relax!
    

    
    
     RE: .6
     
    >What I can't understand is how come it takes about 4 weeks for the
    >results of the amnio to come back, and if your in distress and need to
    >have an early delivery those amnio results come back within an hour?
    >What's the difference?
    
        I believe it is the genetic testing that takes the 3-4 weeks.
        
     	When a mother is at risk of delivering early, an amnio is done
       	to determine the maturity of the lungs by measuring the surfactant
    	levels.  Surfactant is what enables the air sacs in the lungs to
       	inflate, allowing the neonate to breathe.
    
    	Jodi-
    

    RE .6 -
    
    .7 is what we were told as well for testing.  To expand on the genetic
    testing some....
    
    If they only use amniotic fluid, then they need to basically culture 
    the cells in it for a couple of weeks before there is enough genetic
    material to test.  
    
    However, they are able to get genetic information quicker (but at 
    higher risk) by taking a blood sample from the umbilical cord.  Using
    this method, they can determine within 72 hours any major genetic
    defect.  This was the longest 72 hours in my life, as they checked
    for any condition that was "incompatible with life" with our son
    Richard.
    
    As it turned out, he is fine.  He even had enough surfactant that 
    at 28-30 weeks, he was born and didn't even need a respirator!
    
    Actually, the color of the amniotic fluid was very similar to urine;
    and since both probably vary greatly between people, I can see how
    they could have mistaken it..
    
    cheers,
    jeff
    

    I received my results back from my amnio. I am having another boy and
    everything is ok with the baby.
    
    Lynne

    I was very interested in all the 14 week Amnio's from the previous
    notes.  At 14 weeks an Amnio is considered an early AMNIO, a new
    approach to give women earlier results in the event there is a problem. 
    The unfortunate side effect is that you run a risk of not having enough
    amniotic fluid at 14 weeks.  I can't believe they didn't explain this
    prior to the AMNIO.  The standard test is given between week 16-week
    18.  
    
    As far as why it takes so long for the results, this is largely due to
    laboratory backlog.  I received my results in 8 days.  I also went to a
    prenatal specialist who only does prenatal testing!  This is the best
    course of action, if your OB suggests that he will do the procedure
    explore the options for having a prenatal specialist!  I firmly believe
    and so does my OB that the reason my AMNIO went so well and without
    discomfort was because he leaves these tests to the experts!!  Just an
    opinion.
    
    Carol