Question about bad prenatal care - I'm so worried now.?

Question

I switched doctors after getting fed up with my last doctor's care. With this new doctor I now know that I missed some important tests that should have been done weeks ago - blood work or amnio to test for genetic defects/downs syndrome, etc. I'm 20 weeks, and this doc offered me an amnio, but nothing can be done now if the results are positive for any defects. I'm very angry at the first doctor, and very confused and worried about what to do next? I'm 37, so my risks are higher & that's what makes me worried. Should I do the amnio, despite the risks of the procedure itself? Or should I just wait and take my chances (even though I'll be worried for the rest of my pregnancy)? Do I have any alternatives to find out if my baby's healthy inside me? My next appt isn't for another month, but my doc said I could contact him if I decide to do the amnio.

Answer 1

I had a baby at 23 week due to defects. They told me it was a once of case. So they told me that any future pregnancy will be fine.

Well i am pregnant now and they offered me a amnio but we didn't want to take the risk of losing another to a miscarriage from the amnio. I would go and get a ultrasound and blood test done for DOWNS.....and if there find that your at low risk i wouldn't have one done but if you are high risk from the tests then get a amnio done. BUt it completely up to you what you want..

Good luck and best wishes to you and your baby!

Answer 2

Honestly if it was me, I would forget the amnio. You may still be in the window to get the quad screening done, but amnio's are risky either way and you NEVER have to have it done if you do not want it done. I would ask the doctor if it is possible that you have a fetal scan done (just a very indepth u/s) instead of the amniocentisis because you are of advanced maternal age and are worried.

If your last doctor did do the quad screen and everything came back fine (that is the blood test that first indicates Down's Syndrome), he may not have felt it was necessary to go ahead with an amnio.

I am sure everything is fine, but I can say that being worried about these things is normal. Its a fear that never goes away until you see your baby... then it becomes a whole new set of fears. Good luck.

Answer 3

Between 16 & 18 weeks you should have had a triple screen which could indicate downs.  As far as having an amnio, here is the question to ask yourself.  Would you terminate if you found ouf the baby has downs?  If you would not terminate, I would suggest not having the procedure.  

Good luck and great job taking control of your own health care.  I think sometimes dr's forget they are working for us!

Answer 4

If you are worried about having a baby with berth defects, i believe it's something i'd like to prepare myself for. just ask yourself if you will be less worried if you have the amnio or would you like to wait and love that little package that comes out just the same no matter what.

It may also be handy if there is a problem you can do all the research and be totally prepared for his/her arrival with the knowledge to be able to give them the best life possible.

Good luck and stay positive! :)

Answer 5

Usually with the down syndrome one its a blood test and they measure the babys neck by ultrasound..then the results come back and they give you a number. for e.g my chances were 1 in 10000, but it can be much lower, if it comes back as like 1 in 30 then they will do the needle