We are having an amino to check for lung function one week from tomorrow. I will be a little over 37 weeks.
We are checking the little guy's lung function to make sure he is ready to come out on his scheduled c-section date...if he is not, we will
let him cook longer. Will it be really scary or painful? Will I feel funny afterwards? Should I have my husband with me or can I have him drop me off and then hang out with our kids? Trying to figure out if it would be a good idea to set up child care for them so he can be with me or if I will be ok on my own. Anyone else had a late amnio like this?
Hi Ladies,
Trust me, we are doing this way for medically necessary reasons and if I could let the baby cook until I went into labor, we would and then go in for the c-section. This is the safest of all options for this situation--it's a long story and has nothing to do about convenience or anything like that--purely based on medical necessity for me and baby.
I think I am going to have my husband drop me off, send him back to hang with the girls and then come pick me up--that way we don't have to worry about childcare and I also don't need to worry about driving myself home later. If I need him for some reason during the procedure, he can drop them off at our "on call" family. :)
**Not sure if the 3D ultrasound would work for this--it was never offered as an option for me. But in this case, they are getting a sample of the amniotic fluid and in that, they will look for mature or immature lung cells from the baby. Not sure how they could verify lung function in any kind of ultrasound though I am sure they can tell many other things.
Thanks for your help!
I may be unclear, but my doc told me that the 3D ultrasound has replaced the need for an amnio now days and it has less risks. I would check it out before you get an amnio.
Good luck and congrats!
P.S. Whether you do an amnio or the 3D, I would have your husband there and get a sitter.
I had a 37 week amnio to check for lung function also, and fortunately it showed his lungs were developed. It felt just like the original amnio I had at 18 weeks - very uncomfortable. I don't think you must have someone with you, but you should have someone to drive you home - perhaps a friend?
I had an amnio at 28 wks. A nurse using ultrasound watched the baby as the doctor inserted the needle. The nurse pressed on my stomach to move the baby away from the needle at one point. I do not remember it hurting at all. best of luck!
I had an amnio exactly at 37 weeks for exactly the same reason.
I did not find it frightening or painful. It was a little uncomfortable but overall an almost indifferent experience. I did find out that her lungs were inconclusive which meant that she was 'cooked' additional week. Her lungs were more than ready when she was born. She screamed like there was no tomorrow!
If you are a person who likes her husband around for every appointment, go ahead and get child care. But if not, have him drop you off and pick you up. I believe I had a friend with me.
Congratulations on the upcoming arrival of your little one.
I had one done at 37 weeks for the same reason. Honestly, it was no big deal. Although the "creep factor" is huge, the actual proceedure is pretty much painless. I felt a strong pinch and that was about it. Don't worry at all mamma! And congrats!
I had one done last year at 37 wks for the exact same reason. My husband stayed home w/ our other kid. It was not painful at all. I kept hearing about this horribly long needle that hurt like hell, but it was a regular sized needle that didn't hurt. It lasted about a minute and when you are done, they put you on a baby monitor for about 45 mins to make sure baby is doing ok. You will be told to take it easy the rest of the day and that's pretty much it. Our baby's lungs were mature so I was induced a couple of days later and that was a breeze too!
I've been reading articles lately that it's best to start having contractions and then go to the hospital to have your cesarean. That way is really the only way that you know for sure that they are ready. Probably not really a great answer for you since you already have things planned. And maybe there is another medical reason. But if not, don't schedule it and just go in when your body is telling you it's time.
Sorry, that changes everything and could sound frustrating at 37 weeks. But I thought I would share. I've seen some scary stuff even when scheduled cesareans happen at 38 weeks.
I did the same thing for my last one's birth last March. I am totally needle phobic, so I was pretty freaked out. My doc wouldn't give me valium:) The procedure itself was very fast and as described by the other response and the only thing I felt was a slight bit of pressure. I felt like I was going to puke right after, because psychologically it was an ordeal, but physically no big deal. I did not throw up. I did have quite a bit of very painful cramping about 20 min. afterwards, but it only lasted about 5 minutes. I would say have your hubby drop off and pick up and you'll be just fine. The doc's know that it freaks women out so they are really good at coaching you through it.
