I am 36w3days along with my third child. I have been going for U/S every 4 weeks since 20 weeks due to enlarged kidney. I was told at 32 weeks that there was a strong possibility of inducing. When I went for my U/S today, the OB (who reads all the reports, but can never remember if she's talked to me before), said that while the kidneys have grown since last time, my doctor would need to order an amnio if she wanted to induce me. My dr. never mentioned this to me when I saw her last week. I understand that the amnio is most likely to check for lung maturity, but do I have the right to refuse the amnio, receive the steroid shot, and still be induced? I am most concerned about getting my baby's kidney looked at to find out why it is not functioning properly.
I would never risk an amnio unless they told me they could actually help the baby if they found something. I wouldn't induce either unless I was clear that there was a really, really good reason. I think you need more information even if you have to get a second opinion. Be proactive and don't just go along with what they tell you. Get them to explain everything to you thoroughly.
I would go ahead and get the amnio. Usually women choose not too because the pregnancy is not far enough along at 20 weeks for the baby to survive if the needle created a leak in the amniotic fluid. You are asked to get an amnio to make sure the lungs are developed.
During my last pregnancy, I wanted a c-section at 37 weeks because I had the HELLP syndrome (serious form of preeclamsia) with my second pregnancy and I did not want a repeat performance of that. My doctor requesting an amnio before the surgery and found that the baby's lungs were inconclusive, meaning that they could be developed enough or not. He made me wait another week to make sure the lungs were developed. She is a happy, healthy 17 month old today.
The procedure was, if anything, interesting and not that painful.
Good luck to you!
I doubt that the OB will do the induction with out the amnio. It is needed to know if the baby's lungs are developed enough for them to breath on their own and any other issues that may be present. They want to be as fully prepared for the delivery as they can be. The amnio is a simple quick procedure and is of little risk to the baby at this point. It is not painful at all and is quite interesting to watch. I had an amnio with my second child because I kept going into labor and the doctor's kept stopping the labor because it was too early. At the trip prior to my son's birth is when they did the amnio to find out if he could be delivered. His lungs were not mature enough at that point but two weeks later when it was life threatening for both of us to continue the pregnancy, he was good to go. Amnio is helpful and if your baby already has concerns' let the professionals be prepared.
Since you are not yet considered full term, the amnio is needed to make sure your little one is developed enough to survive outside the womb. I had a c-section at 37 weeks due to placenta previa and had to have an amnio before they would do it. No need to place additional burdens on the newborn.
Is there a reason you are so worried about the amnio? Trust your doctor on this one.
I had to be induced at 37 weeks for medical reasons, and my perinatologist required an amnio to check on lung maturity. My doctors were a group of specialists for high risk pregnancies, and I trusted them with my life and the baby's life. They told me it was absolutely required, so I did it! But they also explained the whole process to me. As they explained it to me, the only real risk (and it is a small risk) of getting the amnio at that late stage is that you will get thrown into labor. I had no problem, and was induced the next day.
At 36 .5 weeks, they were going to do an amnio on me to see if they could induce my little guy. Sonogram showed hardly any fluid, so no amnio, and he was delivered the next day because the no fluid was even more dangerous. He was fine and healthy. I think the risk of an amnio is causing a larger rupture in the sac, which would probably be fine at this point anyway.
Hi H. ~
As an OB nurse I can tell you that we no longer schedule inductions before 39 weeks gestation. If there is a medical reason, like Pre-Eclampsia, they can do it before 39 weeks. Yes, you need to find out what's going on with your baby's kidneys. However, they need to make sure your baby's lungs are developed. The steroid shots (2 shots, 24 hours apart) can help, but it's not a guarantee, and are not given after 34 weeks. The amnio looks at the cells in the fluid and can tell if the lungs are mature or not. The last thing you want is a premature baby with premature lungs and a kidney problem. Yes, you have the right to refuse an amnio, but the doctor has the right to refuse to induce you, also. If you're worried about the risk of miscarriage with the amnio, that's the early amnios. The worst thing it would do at this point is to put you into labor.
Good luck!
D.
The steroid shot is for lung development...better get that if you are induced before at least 38 weeks. Not sure on amnio.
I'd call your OB/GYN and get an appointment to discuss this. They will have the best information for you about what's best for baby. Ultimately you have the right to decide what you're doing for your baby. However be sure you're educated correctly on what's best first!
I had to be delivered at exactly 37 weeks because of previous issues and yes, the amnio is necessary so the docs know what they are dealing with. I would think they would not want to give a steroid shot that is not necessary (been there done with steroid shots with my first pregnancy and subsequent preemie baby).
At 36 weeks, you aren't dealing with the risks for miscarriage and such that you would be dealing with early on. It was no big deal, took a few minutes and the results are back in a few hours. Given that your little one has some medical issues already that need to be addressed let them do the amnio so they exactly what else they are or are not dealing with.
Best to you and baby.
Why would you want to refuse the amnio?
I had a seriously high risk pregnancy and my doctors did everything to keep my baby IN.
If your child is having issues with an enlarged kidney, the doctors have to weigh the risk of waiting in case the baby needs a procedure and delivering the baby too early. They need to have a plan in place and be prepared for everything to give your baby the very best chance.
I am really wishing you and your baby the best. I hope you can get some info from your doctor to put your mind at ease.
Take care!
Before 38 1/2 weeks; yes an Amnio is required. The ONLY way around it is if you refuse and it is proven that your baby will not survive in your womb. It is call save the doctor's butt. So either wait and let the problem become worst and then get induced or have the amnio and go ahead with the induction. I guess you need to weigh the advantages of inside/outside the womb and do what's best for baby.
