Tell your healthcare provider of all medicines prescription and over-the-counter , herbs, vitamins, and supplements that you are taking. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any anticoagulant blood-thinning medicines, aspirin, or other medicines that affect blood clotting.
You may be told to stop these medicines before the procedure. Make sure your healthcare provider knows if your blood type is Rh negative. During the amniocentesis, blood cells from the mother and fetus can mix. This can lead to Rh sensitization and breaking down of fetal red blood cells if you are Rh negative and your baby is Rh positive.
You may or may not be asked to empty your bladder right before the procedure. In early pregnancy, a full bladder helps move the uterus into a better position for the procedure. In later pregnancy, the bladder should be empty to lower the risk of puncture with the amniocentesis needle.
Follow any other instructions your provider gives you to get ready. What happens during an amniocentesis? Generally, an amniocentesis follows this process: You will need to undress completely, or from the waist down, and put on a hospital gown.
You will be asked to lie down on an exam table and place your hands behind your head. Your blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate will be checked. An ultrasound will be used to check the fetal heart rate; the position of the placenta, fetus, and umbilical cord; and to find a pocket of amniotic fluid.
Your abdomen will be cleaned with an antiseptic. You will be told not to touch the sterile area on your abdomen during the procedure. You will feel a needle stick if a numbing drug is injected.
This may cause brief stinging. When your skin is numb, an ultrasound will be used to help guide a long, thin, hollow needle through your skin, into the uterus, and into the amniotic sac. This may be slightly painful. You may feel some cramping as the needle enters the uterus. The doctor will withdraw a small amount of amniotic fluid into a syringe.
The amount depends on the type of testing that will be done, but usually no more than an ounce is removed. Your body will make fluid to replace the amount taken out. You may feel a tugging or pulling feeling as the fluid is removed. For genetic amniocentesis, test results can reliably rule out or diagnose various genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome. However, amniocentesis can't identify all genetic conditions and birth defects.
If amniocentesis indicates that your baby has a chromosomal or genetic condition that can't be treated, you might face wrenching decisions — such as whether to continue the pregnancy.
Seek support from your health care team and your loved ones. For fetal lung maturity amniocentesis, test results can reliably indicate a baby's lung maturity. If you need to deliver the baby early, this information can offer reassurance that your baby is ready for birth. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version.
This content does not have an Arabic version. Sections for Amniocentesis About. Overview Amniocentesis Open pop-up dialog box Close. Amniocentesis Amniocentesis is a prenatal test. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter.
Show references Ghidini A, et al. Diagnostic amniocentesis. Accessed Oct. Cunningham FG, et al. Prenatal diagnosis. In: Williams Obstetrics. New York, N. American Pregnancy Association. The test itself usually takes about 10 minutes, although the whole consultation may take about 30 minutes.
Some women describe experiencing a pain similar to period pain or feeling pressure when the needle is taken out. Find out more about what happens during amniocentesis. The first results of the test should be available within 3 working days and will tell you whether Down's syndrome, Edwards' syndrome or Patau's syndrome has been discovered.
If rarer conditions are also being tested for, it can take 3 weeks or more for the results to come back. If your test shows that your baby has a genetic or chromosomal condition, the implications will be fully discussed with you.
There's no cure for most of the conditions amniocentesis finds, so you'll need to consider your options carefully. You may choose to continue with your pregnancy, while gathering information about the condition so you're fully prepared. Find out more about having a baby that may be born with a genetic condition.
Or you may consider ending your pregnancy having a termination. Find out more about the results of amniocentesis.
Before you decide to have amniocentesis, the risks and possible complications will be discussed with you. One of the main risks associated with amniocentesis is miscarriage , which is the loss of the pregnancy in the first 23 weeks. There are also some other risks, such as infection or needing to have the procedure again because it was not possible to accurately test the first sample.
The risk of amniocentesis causing complications is higher if it's carried out before the 15th week of pregnancy, which is why the test is only done after this point.
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