Diagnostic Procedures

Doctors typically encourage a formal counseling session – not just a short discussion in the doctor’s office – before parents decide about genetic amniocentesis. In the counseling session, parents can weigh the benefits against the modest risk from the procedure. They can also discuss specific gene or chemical tests that family and maternal histories may […]

Amniocentesis is highly accurate, but expectant parents must wait until at least the 15th week of pregnancy, and it does involve some risks. There are some other tests available that can either be done earlier or are less invasive. Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) is an alternative to amniocentesis that can be

Here are some frequently asked questions related to amniocentesis: Q: Does amniocentesis hurt? A: Most women will feel slight pain during amniocentesis. For the first day or so afterward, some women may feel cramps like those during their menstrual period, but that is the most discomfort a woman undergoing the procedure is likely to experience. Bleeding,

Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to amniocentesis: Amniocentesis is a relatively painless procedure that is performed in a doctor’s office or hospital. A small amount of the amniotic fluid bathing a fetus is removed during amniocentesis to identify potential birth defects and many other problems. The procedure involves inserting a needle

Here are definitions of medical terms related to amniocentesis: Alpha-fetoprotein: A protein, also called AFP, which the fetus produces in its liver and brain. The level of alpha-fetoprotein tends to increase in the amniotic fluid when a fetus has an open neural tube defect or abdominal wall defect. The protein can be found in adults as

Here are some reliable sources that can provide more information about amniocentesis: The March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation  Phone: 1-888-MODIMES (663-4637) http://www.modimes.org American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynecologists  http://www.acog.org National Down Syndrome Society  Phone: 1-800-221-4602 http://www.ndss.org National Tay-Sachs & Allied Disease Association  Phone: 1-800-906-8723 http://www.ntsad.org Sickle Cell Disease Association of America  Phone: 1-800-421-8453 http://www.sicklecelldisease.org Cord Blood

Amniocentesis is a procedure performed during pregnancy in which amniotic fluid is withdrawn from a woman’s uterus to test for certain problems in the fetus, such as genetic defects, fetal infections, fetal lung immaturity, or Rh sensitization. The word “amniocentesis” literally means “puncture of the amnion,” the fluid-filled sac that encloses the fetus during pregnancy.

There are two types of tests that can be performed on amniotic fluid to show different types of problems with the fetus: Genetic amniocentesis Chemical tests The cells in the amniotic fluid contain genetic material that can be used to observe chromosomal abnormalities or defects in specific genes. Biochemical substances, like proteins and lipids, can