My Amniocentesis Nightmare: A Cautionary Tale of Unnecessary Stress

I'd never heard of amniocentesis until I got a bad test result after taking the NIPT test. The test showed chromosomal abnormalities, and to confirm the results, I had to undergo an amniocentesis. I was already stressed out, and this just added to the anxiety.

💧💧 What's amniocentesis, anyway?

Before the test, I did my research and read all the reviews. So, hopefully, my review will be helpful to someone who's going through the same thing.

I've got it down pat now, and I can explain it to anyone who wants to know. Amniocentesis is a procedure where they take a sample of the amniotic fluid to check for chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. It's a bit like a blood test, but instead of drawing blood, they insert a needle into the uterus to collect the fluid.

The procedure involves taking a sample of the amniotic fluid with a long needle, followed by a series of tests, including hormonal, biochemical, cytological (examining the chromosomal composition of fetal cells), and immunological analysis. It sounds like a lot, but trust me, it's worth it.

They insert the needle into the uterus using an injection. It sounds intimidating, and the thought of it is even scarier. But don't worry, it's not as painful as you think.

The strict indications for this procedure are pretty clear:

identifying congenital and hereditary diseases (examining the karyotype of the obtained cells, determining the number and structure of chromosomes);unfavorable results from screening tests (deviations on ultrasound, in the biochemical analysis of blood – the ‘triple’ or ‘double’ test);the need to administer medications to the amniotic sac to induce early termination of pregnancy;the age of the woman (in 35 and above, the risk of giving birth to a child with chromosomal abnormalities increases);a history of giving birth to a child with a hereditary disease;a family history of genetic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities.

In my case, the indication for amniocentesis was the result of the NIPT test. I needed to confirm or rule out the test result. And let me tell you, it was a wild ride.

✅ How the procedure went

I had the test at 16 weeks, and I went to the gynecological department of the hospital. I filled out a questionnaire, a consent form, and specified who to inform about the test results – just me or family members. I also indicated whether to share the information with my doctor later.

I waited in the corridor, and there were no queues. So, it's not a high-volume procedure like some people mentioned in their reviews.

The doctor was a German professor, and we were in Germany. He worked with a young assistant. First, he explained the procedure, what they would take, and whether it would hurt. He said it wouldn't hurt, just like a regular blood test, but from the uterus.

I lay down on the examination table.

I was lying on the couch next to an ultrasound machine. The doctor started doing the ultrasound, checking the baby's heartbeat and everything. Luckily, there were no abnormalities found.

Next, the assistant cleaned my stomach with antiseptic and prepared a long needle. The doctor told her where to inject and how carefully she had to do it, so she wouldn't harm the baby. She had to inject into an empty space and take out the amniotic fluid.

The needle prick wasn't painful, but it did hurt a bit when she pulled out the fluid. It was tolerable, though.

The whole procedure was done under the ultrasound machine's control on the screen. The doctor even asked if I wanted to see it, but I declined. Then I got up, signed some papers, and that was it.

They put a band-aid on the spot where they injected the needle.

✅How I felt after the procedure, the result

The doctor didn't tell me to rest or anything after the procedure. He just said I could go and not engage in any physical activity.

I got up, and my husband and I left. By the way, my husband was with me the whole time, watching everything happen.

As we walked from the clinic to the car, about 700 meters, I felt dizzy and my stomach was aching. I wasn't walking as fast as usual. At home, I was still feeling it and couldn't walk normally. I had to take it easy.

The next day, I was still feeling it and couldn't walk quickly. I couldn't even leave the house because of it.

On the third day, things started to get better, and I could walk a bit faster. I even went for a walk. But sometimes, it would still hurt in my stomach when I walked.

Eventually, these symptoms went away over the next few days. There were no discharge issues.

The results came a few days later – they called me to come in. The doctor told me, and I was devastated. The amniocentesis only confirmed the result from the NIPT test. I was crying in the doctor's office. It turned out that the amniocentesis was just confirming the result of the NIPT test. I was booked to see a geneticist. The genetic test, by the way, was good. And then came the miscarriage.

Amniocentesis is a necessary procedure, and there's no need to be afraid of it. The most important thing is to choose a good clinic and an experienced doctor, as there are some possible risks.

Other reviews

Dilation of the uterine cavity (gynecology)

Induced labor

General anesthesia