What is Amniocentesis? Amniocentesis is a procedure which uses a needle to take a sample of fluid from the amniotic sac that surrounds the fetus. Ultrasound is used as a tool which allows the doctor to introduce a needle into a safe place, away from the fetus. The most common reason for amniocentesis is to determine genetic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome. Only amniocentesis and chorionic villus biopsy can diagnose these problems in the womb. Amniocentesis is usually performed between 16th and 20th week of pregnancy. Women who opt for the test are primarily those at increased risk for genetic or chromosomal problems, partly because the test is invasive and carries a small risk of abortion.
Amniocentesis Procedure The amniocentesis procedure can be done in a doctor’s office or outpatient hospital. The procedure takes about 45 minutes, and for setting needles and taking a sample of amniotic fluid it takes 5 minutes. Your abdomen will be cleaned by an antiseptic. After that a sterile conduit will be put on your stomach in order to establish a safe place for needles. Some doctors will, at your desire, apply a local anesthetic near the site of future injection to numb the abdominal wall. Then, through the abdomen into your uterus, and amniotic sack in it, a long, hollow needle will be stuck. A small sample of amniotic fluid (the amount of approximately one to two tablespoons) will be extracted from there. If the doctor does not have enough amniotic fluid at that point, he will remove the needle and stick it to another location. Amniotic fluid is largely composed of fetal urine and should be transparent and slightly yellow colored. Then, the doctor will observe the fetus on the screen to be sure that he is good condition. In the end, he will put a small bandage on your abdomen to cover the puncture site. Samples are marked and sent to the laboratory. If amniocentesis is used for the analysis of chromosomes or DNA, then it is done after 16th week of pregnancy. In some centers amniocentesis may be made up to a month earlier. If the birth for any reason must be done ahead of time, amniocentesis can then be done a short time before giving a birth to assess the degree of fetal lung maturity.
Amniocentesis Risks In United States, amniocentesis is yearly performed up to 200 000 times and is considered a relatively safe procedure. The risk of abortion after amniocentesis is 1-200 to 1-400. In centers where doctors often perform amniocentesis procedure and regularly use ultrasound for guiding needle, the amniocentesis risk is closer to 1-400. (After the third month of pregnancy, three to four out of every 100 pregnancies will end in abortion, even when it does not imply to any prenatal test.) In those rare cases where amniocentesis causes abortion, it is usually caused by an infection that develops in the uterus, amniotic fluid leak, or contractions. If amniocentesis is performed with ultrasound, it rarely happens that the fetus is pricked with a needle. It is not rare that women have less severe complications after amniocentesis procedure. These slight disorders
may be contraction of the vagina, wetting, or a sense of unease around the needle injections. Be sure to tell your doctor if these problems last or become intense. Descriptions of amniocentesis range from “comfortable” to “like bee sting” and finally “current pain”. As the wall of the uterus is very sensitive, you will feel the prick of a needle. One woman said it was amazing to watch the baby on the screen and was not at aware of the discomfort she was going through. The baby was sleeping and all this lady was worried about was if her baby was having a baby night terrors. Women which feel uncomfortable with the needle presence can help themselves by doing breathing and relaxing exercises. This greatly helps to prepare physically and psychologically for amniocentesis test. Copyright from FeelGoodTime.net All rights reserved.