Aminocentesis
Amniocentesis is a prenatal test that can diagnose genetic disorders (such as Down syndrome etc) and other hereditary disorders in an unborn baby. The doctor uses a needle to withdraw a small amount of amniotic fluid from inside your uterus, and then sent to a lab for testing of specific conditions.
Amniocentesis is a prenatal testing procedure usually performed during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. During pregnancy, baby grows inside the amniotic sac. Amniotic fluid surrounds and protects your baby inside the amniotic sac. It also contains some of your baby’s cells. Babies shed these cells as they grow. These cells contain genetic information that helps diagnose genetic conditions.
Amniocentesis is recommended when
- Ultrasound testing detects a fetal abnormality
- A prenatal screening test detects an increased risk for a chromosome disorder.
- Certain genetic disorders (such as sickle cell disease or cystic fibrosis etc) run in your family or you test positive as a carrier of a genetic disorder.
- Amniocentesis is sometimes used to treat poly-hydramnios. This procedure is known as Amnio-drainage