April 6, 2001, Newsletter Issue #26: Tests During Pregnancy - Amniocentesis

Tip of the Week

Amniocentesis is a test offered to women who fit within a certain criteria. For most of these women, it is simply because they are over 35 and have an increased chance of giving birth to a baby who has Downs Syndrome, but for others it is because they themselves have a condition that can be passed on. The test can however show up other abnormalities, and can tell whether the baby is a boy or a girl.

The test is carried out at the beginning of the 2nd trimester, usually not earlier than week 14 and not later week 20. Ultrasound is used to locate the baby and placenta so that these are avoided during the test. A hollow needle is inserted into the mother-to-be`s abdomen and some fluid is taken out. The procedure takes around 30 minutes. Afterwards it is normal to feel mild cramping for a few hours but any bleeding or leaking of other fluids ought to be reported to the hospital or medical centre where the test was carried out - just to make sure that everything is ok.

Although the test is fairly safe, it does carry a 0.5% chance of miscarriage and so any pregnant woman needs to consider this carefully before going ahead with it. In my case, it didn`t matter what the outcome was, so we didn`t have the test, but if you have a medical condition that can be passed genetically, or you wish to know whether the baby has any problems, then you need to think carefully. You also need to discuss with your partner what you will do should the outcome show that something could be wrong with the baby - keeping in mind that the test will tell you that something "could" be wrong, and not that it "will" be.

There are a number of tips in the "Pregnancy Tests" section at the Pregnant-Tips section which cover the various aspects of the amniocentesis test.

http://www.Pregnant-tips.com/SubCatPage.asp?SubCatId=61721

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