What’s Amniocentesis?

Amniocentesis is a prenatal test that analyzes amniotic fluid for birth defects. It is elective but recommended for higher risk mothers. The procedure involves a needle guided into the amniotic sac, and results take up to three weeks. A negative result increases chances of a healthy baby, but it is impossible to test for every […]

Amniocentesis: What’s Involved?

Amniocentesis is a procedure performed on pregnant women to check for chromosomal abnormalities and infections. A needle is inserted into the amniotic sac to extract fluid for analysis. Risks include damage to the fetus and possible miscarriage, but recent estimates have placed the risk of miscarriage at one in 1,600. Amniotic fluid is rich in […]

After amniocentesis, what’s next?

Patients should rest and avoid strenuous activity for 72 hours after an amniocentesis, which carries a small risk of further rupturing the amniotic sac. Mild side effects include cramping and minor bleeding, but patients should seek medical attention if they experience serious complications such as watery discharge or high fever. Given the delicate nature of […]

Amniocentesis: pros & cons?

Amniocentesis can diagnose genetic disorders and assess fetal maturity, but carries risks such as infection, bleeding, fluid leakage, miscarriage, and fetal injury. It provides a sample of genetic material for accurate diagnosis of syndromes and can evaluate lung maturity for preterm birth. However, inaccurate diagnoses and unsuccessful procedures are possible. The risk of miscarriage is […]

Skip to content