What You Need to Know About Amniocentesis
Advancements in medical technology have come a long way in the last century, and it seems that they come along even further each year. For centuries, expectant mothers knew nothing about their babies growing in their wombs until they were born into the world. They had to wait to know the gender, whether they were carrying multiples, or to learn of any development issues. Today, women are presented with many options in learning a great deal about their babies long before they arrive. Doctors are literally able to “look inside” a woman’s pregnancy to reveal what once was hidden.
Amniocentesis is a medical procedure used primarily in prenatal diagnosis to obtain valuable information about a baby’s growth and development. This is an extremely specialized procedure that is not performed regularly. Most doctors will only suggest or perform amniocentesis when there is specific cause to do so because this procedure is not without risks.
Amniocentesis is typically performed for the following reasons:
- To gather information of chromosomal abnormalities
- To diagnosis fetal infections
- To drain excess amniotic fluid from the uterus
- To determine whether the lungs of a growing baby are developing properly
- To determine whether a baby’s lungs are mature enough for premature birth.
During the procedure, the expectant mother will lie on her back on an exam table and an ultrasound will be done to locate the baby’s exact position in the uterus. The health care provider will clean the mother’s abdomen with an antiseptic. Guided by ultrasound, the doctor will insert a thin, hollow needle through the abdominal wall and into the uterus. A small amount of amniotic fluid will be withdrawn into a syringe, and the needle will be removed. Following the removal of the needle, the doctor will continue to monitor the baby’s heart rate and reaction via ultrasound. Women often experience cramping following the procedure, and they are encouraged to avoid strenuous exercise and sexual activity for at least two days.
The sample of amniotic fluid will be analyzed in a lab, and the results will be given to the doctor. The doctor will help patients understand the amniocentesis results.
At Marietta OB-GYN Affiliates, P.A., we provide compassionate care to our patients. We are dedicated to providing the best and most specialized care throughout pregnancy for expectant mothers. Contact our practice to learn more.
