Does an Amniocentesis Hurt?

Didn't hurt a bit and was over in about two minutes!! I heard all kinds of stories of how paiful it was and how they used this "extremely long" needle. Not true at all, a regular needle was used and it didn't hurt one bit. Good luck.

A friend of mine had it done and she said she would never do it again. I believe it's different for everyone as is most pregnancies. The most determining factor is the location/position of the baby and the person performing the procedure. Hopefully your baby will not be in the way - Good Luck.

I have had several. None of them hurt. I would say they feel weird, kind of uncomfortable, but not painful. I made sure not to look and told them I did not even want to see the needle. It was very quick and everything was fine with the baby. You may have some cramping, even a little bleeding over the next day or two, which is normal. Be sure to take it easy the rest of the day Friday, maybe even Saturday. I hope everything is ok.
S.
mom of 3

Remember that you are doing it for the baby. There are so many things that are involved. I had it done at 38 wks along, so it was a LOT different than 17 wks. When you get it done, you get the choice of having a numbing needle try to numb the location, I skipped that as I was not getting a needle twice- why? was my thought. It didn't hurt so much, but since my belly was already stretched to the max, I felt the needle go through every layer of my belly, skin, muscle, fatty tissue. Then when it finally went through the amniotic sac, my baby pushed his butt up to the needle and made the needle go back out. It was not the best reading that they had - BUT, it helped determine everything was okay and that I needed to wait another week to have him. Good luck with it!!! I am sure it will be a whole entire experience you won't forget - BUT, not a bad one, just a new experience.

I had 3 in the same freakin day!!! I was 37 weeks pregnant and they were checking for lung maturity. The first one they couldn't get much fluid. They moved it around and around no luck. The second attempt they went in by my sons hand and he liked bright shiny things apparently and he grabbed it. No joke. all the sudden the needle was flesh to my skin! So the doctor freaked out and grabbed it out. He said that was it. He was done and they would wait for the neonatolgist to get there. Well he did it and actually made it work.

So you ask did they hurt. Nope... Heck of alot scarier than they hurt. It does make taking a breath interesting it kinda is uncomfortable to do so. taking a deep breath which is nice when you are scared but you can't. But the pain is pry less than getting a shot. Might be the same as a blood draw.

But no I would say that you'll barely feel anything... hopefully you won't have to have three. he he... But it will be fine. :)

I didn't think it hurt really, but was kind of weird and maybe a bit uncomfortable. I was at about 16 weeks I think and they had to position the needle very low, so I suppose that sort of thing could make a difference.

I had it done with my son and honestly it didn't hurt and I am a panzy when it comes to needles. There was a little prick like a mosquite bite and that was it. My friend who came with me cause my husband couldn't get off work almost fainted as she watched them put the needle in. I think the more relaxed you are the less it hurts. Take your ipod with and listen to music while they do it. Good luck

It felt strange but was in no way painful.

I had one done with my last baby. And no, I don't recall it hurting.

Well...not to be the nay-sayer here, but mine definitely did hurt. I'm 16 weeks and the baby was moving around so much that unfortunately after 2 attempts, they still couldn't get a good draw. It didn't hurt so much when the needle first went in, felt like a blood draw, but the layer of muscle started to cramp up because it was taking so long with the needle in there, much longer than usual (several minutes at least). At first it was just uncomfortable and then it was really painful.

Now, I should say that I was also very tense, which I think contributed a lot to the pain (I like someone's idea of listening to your iPod to relax, maybe I'll try that next time). And I hadn't had any caffeine or juice or sugar that morning, but I guess the little bugger was just really active. My doctor is really experienced so I don't feel that was a factor. As someone else said earlier, I'm sure it is different for everyone.

BUT...with 2 rounds of abnormal quad screen results, it seems like this is a non-optional test for you. I would certainly want to know about the health of my baby and even if it did hurt, finding out the results is the most important thing. My painful experience is in the minority and I'm sure yours will go a lot better than mine!

Had it done at 17 weeks. Didn't hurt at all. Felt happy that I was taking charge of the "unknown" and found the whole experience very empowering. One tip...If your amnio is early in the morning, lay off any caffeine, sugary juice, maybe even fast a bit and hydrate. This will help to keep baby in a calm, somnolent state.