Pregnancy

Putting It All Together: Amniocentesis

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 […]

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Alternatives To Genetic Amniocentesis

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

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Preparing For Genetic Amniocentesis

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

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What Can Amniocentesis Reveal?

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

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