Any procedure that involves inserting a needle into an organ has risks, although generally, these risks are rare. Older studies quote a 1 in risk for an adverse outcome and some more conservative offices still quote this number. Amniocentesis is not done blindly; the team uses ultrasound in order to find the biggest pocket of amniotic fluid and monitor the baby. As described, a long, thin needle is inserted through the abdomen into the womb, where it can draw up to 20 mL of amniotic fluid.
The whole procedure lasts 1 to 2 minutes. An amnio can be performed by week 15 of gestation, although some physicians wait until 16 weeks.
It is usually performed before week 21, although in the case of an early delivery — often considered for the health of the mother or child — determining fetal lung maturity requires amnio later in the pregnancy. Sign up for the Fatherly newsletter to get original articles and expert advice about parenting, fitness, gear, and more in your inbox every day.
Please try again. Give us a little more information and we'll give you a lot more relevant content. Doctors and genetic counselors generally recommend the test for any woman who is at increased risk of having a baby with a chromosomal abnormality or neural tube defect.
All women over age 35 used to be advised to consider an amniocentesis, but first- and second-trimester screening blood tests and ultrasound are more accurate than they used to be, and doctors may take those results into account when advising women of all ages. Amniocentesis also reveals the sex of the baby, but it is never given just for this reason and your doctor can keep the sex a secret if you'd rather be surprised. Recent research has found that the risk is much lower than doctors once thought.
You can reduce the risk by having your amniocentesis done by a doctor who has a lot of experience or at a center that performs many amnios and uses a registered diagnostic medical sonographer. The first step of the test is an ultrasound, which is used to measure the baby and ensure that you're at least 14 weeks pregnant.
Then an antibacterial iodine solution is rubbed onto your abdomen. Next, using the ultrasound transducer to get an image of the baby's position, the doctor inserts a thin, hollow needle through your abdominal wall and into your uterus.
Navigating carefully by using the image on the ultrasound monitor, the doctor withdraws about an ounce of amniotic fluid. The needle is then withdrawn, and the sample is sent to the lab for analysis. It may sound scary, but the procedure takes a minute or two and shouldn't be more painful than having blood drawn. In the lab, fetal cells in the amniotic fluid are grown and cultured and the chromosomes are analyzed for abnormalities.
Couples who are carriers of a specific genetic disease, such as Tay-Sachs or cystic fibrosis, will receive a more targeted analysis. Yes, but you should avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and sexual activity for two to three days. You may have menstrual-like cramps for a few hours, a small leakage of amniotic fluid, or discomfort around the needle site. Call your doctor if any of these side effects continue or worsen, or if you have a fever.
Your health insurance should cover the procedure if your doctor recommends it, although you may have to pay a portion of the cost. Probably the hardest part of having an amniocentesis is waiting for the results. If the lab's results indicate a problem, your doctor and a genetic counselor will explain the results and offer guidance about your options.
You can also consult with a pediatric or surgical specialist who can help you understand more about the disorder, treatment options, and future issues you may face. It may be possible to have additional testing, such as a specialized ultrasound exam, to find out more detail about a defect. Expectant parents may face agonizing decisions at a relatively late stage of pregnancy, and need to consider physical, psychological, emotional, and financial issues. They may want to consider one of these tests.
Knowing about problems before the baby is born may help parents. They may be able to make better decisions about health care for their infant. Certain problems can be treated before the baby is born. Other problems may need special treatment right after delivery. In some cases, parents may even decide not to continue the pregnancy. Discuss the options with your doctor. Amniocentesis or CVS is done when there is an increased risk that the baby may have genetic disorders or birth defects.
Before either procedure, you may have counseling with a genetic expert. This allows you to learn about the conditions the test may find. You will have a better idea of what those mean for you and your baby. In this procedure, a sample of amniotic fluid fluid around the baby is removed from your uterus. A doctor inserts a long, thin needle through your abdomen into your uterus. He or she withdraws a small amount of fluid. The fluid is sent to a laboratory for evaluation.
In the lab, the fluid can be tested for:. Your body will make more fluid to replace the fluid that is taken out. The baby will not be hurt during the procedure. Some women feel mild cramping during or after the procedure. Your doctor may tell you to rest on the day of the test. Usually you can resume normal activity the next day. CVS removes a small sample of placenta tissue from the uterus. The sample is then sent to the lab for testing. The sample can be taken 2 ways:.
Local anesthesia is used for this test to reduce pain and discomfort. Most women feel fine after the test. Some may have mild bleeding spotting afterward. Amniocentesis is usually performed during the 15th week of pregnancy or later. CVS is usually performed between the 10th and 13th weeks of pregnancy.
The main benefit of CVS is that it can be done earlier in the pregnancy. But it does not detect some things that amniocentesis does.
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