Understanding Low AFP and Echogenic Bowel in Pregnancy: What to Expect

Question
Dear Doctor,
  I am 20 weeks pregnant today.  I had my AFP at 18w4d and the results came back 1:17 - low for Down's.  I had a level II u/s at 19w4d and everything was good except they found possibly an echogenic bowel.  I am scheduled for an amnio on wednesday.  Should I be extremely worried (b/c I am) about the outcome because of my low afp and u/s findings?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Jennifer

Answer
Hello Jennifer. I don't have faith in ultrasounds to diagnose such things accurately and why, I wonder, are you having the amnio? If there was something detected in the results would you abort? If the answer is no, then why have the test. We were really never meant to have such a pile of info about our babies- it does NOT make for a serene pregnancy. All the best- Cheri.