Amniocentesis - Caused us to lose twins?

[baylorbear33]

Have any of you had an amniocentesis that you feel caused you to lose your baby(ies)? We had a specialist that pushed us into an amnio, and I went into pre-term labor at only 19 weeks 72 hours later. We are considering legal action given the circumstances, but I was just curious if anyone had a similar experience.

[sugabeanzs]

I have never personally heard about that but I do know the risks are higher if you have one done. I was told that if I had to get one done (which I did not thankfully) that there was that risk. I would check into the statistics on it.

[esperanza]

baylorbear,

I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds really hard I have a cousin back in Venezuela who had a similar experience with a singleton. A few hours after the amnio she started loosing the amniotic fluid and that was it for her little one (I don't know all the details, but I know it was as a result of the amnio).

Hugs to you, and good luck to you and dh in whatever you decide to do.

[iriecricket]

Baylorbear,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. It seems the doctor should have thoroughly discussed the risks with you before going forward with the treatment. My husband and I chose not to have the test because of the associated risks. I figured my pregnancy was risky enough and I was not going to take any additional chances and the doctor completely understood. We did do a nuchal scan and thankfully, the results were negative.

Again, I am so sorry. Hang in there.

[sarahalf]

Bear,
I had a loss a year ago that I feel was casued by the amnio. I was 21 weeks preg with a singleton, and I didnt lose him until 3 plus weeks after the amnio. Because we knew the baby was fine (thanks to amnio results...), I had the placenta autopsied. There was evidence of Strep B and Staph infection in my placenta. In the last year, I have done IVF again and am preg with twins this time. I have asked countless doctors their opinions on amnio and why I lost my last baby. The reactions vary but the bottom line is, there is a miscarriage risk with the amnio. I found a great website with an excellent Dr in NC. I googled it but I think it is called "Fruit of the Womb". He answers alot of questions when it comes to amnios and loss. His general belief is that it is too risky with twins bc your miscarriage risk is greater than the liklihood that something is wrong with the babies. I spent alot of time on this webpage during this preg bc our quad screen came back high for downs (which is very common in twins, and I wonder if that is why your Dr pressured you?).
I am so sorry for your loss. I know that it is devastating. Please PM me if you have any other questions or if I can help you in any way. Hang in there.....
Sara

[loopie]

Dear Baylorbear,

I am so sorry for your loss- it is so devastating. In my opinion( not a doc or anything even close), it seems that if you went into preterm labor just 72 hrs after an amnio, there could be some connection especially if there were no other mitigating circumstances.

At my Nuchal Test and genetic screening, I was given extensive risk analysis- due to my age, and bloodwork that suggested possible chromosomal anomalies- our Downs risk went from 1/146 to 1/1600- but trisomy risk increased quite a bit. The doctors specifically never pressured me to have an amnio, even though I really wanted their opinion as to whether I should get one or not- I can only suspect that due to the risks of the procedure, they did not want to suggest that I have one, merely let me know what they'd discovered, and what options I had. I could choose to have one, or do nothing- I scheduled the amnio, but never went- I figured the risk of miscarrying a perfect baby was about the same as finding out that we were having one that may not have lived.
So here I am, just days from our due date- still praying that we will have a healthy, normal baby.

I do hope you get the answers you seek, and, too, hope for a healthy happy BFP for you very soon.

take care,

loopie

[Dagny]

Hi there

I had an amnio after being pressurised into it by specialists when I was 23 weeks pg in 2004 - 3 days later I went into prem labour at 24 weeks and my daughter was born but sadly died in my arms a few minutes later. I was told that I had got an infection in the womb - there could only have been 1 cause and that was the amnio in my opinion but...

Because they told me the risks and I signed a form before the procedure I had no leg to stand on if I wanted to take legal action as I suspect you won't have either, sadly. I am sure they would have told you the risks before hand but if they didn't then maybe you have a case...

I am so sorry for your loss - I lost twins too they were girl/boy. The girl stillborn at 20 weeks and the boy at 22 weeks who died in my arms in 2005 - nothing can prepare you for such devastation.

I have however gone on to have a beautiful daughter who is now 21 months old after my 7th IVF so it is possible to go on and find happiness and success although you will never your twin girls just like I have never forgotten my 3 beautiful babies.

Hugs xxx

[woodcliff]

I am so so sorry for your loss.
Why on earth would an OB push someone who is only 33 to have an amnio? You're not even in the 'high risk' group!

I was told the risk for twins was twice as high for a miscarriage, my doctor told me not to do it even though I am in my 40s. There are other 'tests' to take (blood tests, nuchal fold) plus the 20 week ultrasound...we also did not know what we'd do if the U/S turned out that the babies had problems. We really wanted the twins either way...

Reading the stories here breaks my heart.
I don't think you can sue for the amnio, most likely you signed a release....
I hope you find the strength and grace to live with this pain and that your little ones come in the future for you...