Amniocentesis

What’s an amniocentesis?

Amniocentesis is a process used to take out a small pattern of the amniotic fluid for testing. That is the fluid that surrounds the fetus in being pregnant. Amniotic fluid is a transparent, pale yellow fluid that:

Protects the fetus from damage

Protects in opposition to an infection

Permits the child to maneuver and develop correctly

Helps management the temperature of the fetus

Together with numerous enzymes, proteins, hormones, and different substances, the amniotic fluid comprises cells shed by the fetus. These cells have genetic info that can be utilized to diagnose genetic issues and open neural tube defects (ONTDs), comparable to spina bifida. This check might also be completed to examine for inherited gene defects and metabolic issues primarily based on the household historical past.

Amniotic fluid additionally comprises different substances that give details about the fetus. This process could also be completed in late being pregnant to examine fetal well-being and diagnose fetal well being issues, comparable to an infection. If a child is anticipated to be delivered early, amniocentesis could also be completed to examine for fetal lung maturity.

The fluid is shipped to a lab in order that the cells can develop and be analyzed. Outcomes are most frequently prepared in about 10 to 14 days, relying on the lab. Outcomes from fetal lung maturity checks are prepared inside just a few hours.

Why may I want an amniocentesis?

An amniocentesis is obtainable between the fifteenth and twentieth weeks of being pregnant to those that are at larger threat for start defects. It might even be used to follow-up when an earlier check suggests an issue.

Some circumstances the place an amniocentesis could also be used for genetic and chromosome testing within the second trimester of being pregnant embrace:

Household historical past or earlier little one with a genetic illness or metabolic dysfunction, comparable to Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, or Tay Sachs illness

Danger of open neural tube defects, comparable to spina bifida

Start guardian age over 35 years by the being pregnant due date

Irregular maternal screening checks

Danger of a sex-linked genetic illness

Amniocentesis could also be used within the third trimester of being pregnant to examine for:

Your healthcare supplier might produce other causes to suggest an amniocentesis.

What are the dangers of an amniocentesis?

Some problems of an amniocentesis might embrace:

The danger of miscarriage is taken into account lower than 1% after an amniocentesis within the second trimester of being pregnant. That is solely barely increased than the conventional threat of miscarriage right now in being pregnant.

Sure components or circumstances might intervene with an amniocentesis. These components embrace:

Being pregnant sooner than 14 weeks

The place of the child, placenta, quantity of fluid, or start guardian’s anatomy

Being pregnant with twins or different multiples will want fluid samples from every amniotic sac to check every child

You’ll have different dangers, relying in your situation. Be sure you talk about any issues together with your healthcare supplier earlier than the process.

How do I prepare for an amniocentesis?

Your healthcare supplier will clarify the process and you’ll ask questions.

You may be requested to signal a consent kind that provides your permission to do the process. Learn the shape fastidiously and ask questions if something is unclear.

Typically, there are not any particular limits on weight loss plan or exercise earlier than an amniocentesis.

Inform your healthcare supplier if you’re delicate to or are allergic to any medicines, latex, tape, or anesthesia.

Inform your healthcare supplier of all medicines (prescription and over-the-counter), herbs, nutritional vitamins, and dietary supplements that you’re taking.

Inform your healthcare supplier when you have a historical past of bleeding issues or if you’re taking any anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medicines, aspirin, or different medicines that have an effect on blood clotting. It’s possible you’ll be instructed to cease these medicines earlier than the process.

Ensure your healthcare supplier is aware of in case your blood kind is Rh destructive. Through the amniocentesis, your blood cells can combine with these of the fetus. This may result in Rh sensitization and breaking down of fetal crimson blood cells if you’re Rh destructive and your child is Rh optimistic.

It’s possible you’ll or is probably not requested to empty your bladder proper earlier than the process. In early being pregnant, a full bladder helps transfer the uterus into a greater place for the process. In later being pregnant, the bladder ought to be empty to decrease the chance of puncture with the amniocentesis needle.

Observe another directions your supplier provides you to prepare.

What occurs throughout an amniocentesis?

An amniocentesis could also be completed on an outpatient foundation or throughout a hospital keep. Procedures might fluctuate relying in your situation and your physician’s practices.

Typically, an amniocentesis follows this course of:

You will want to undress fully, or from the waist down, and placed on a hospital robe.

You may be requested to lie down on an examination desk and place your arms behind your head.

Your blood stress, coronary heart price, and respiratory price will likely be checked.

An ultrasound will likely be used to examine the fetal coronary heart price; the place of the placenta, fetus, and umbilical twine; and to discover a pocket of amniotic fluid.

Your stomach will likely be cleaned with an antiseptic. You may be instructed to not contact the sterile space in your stomach throughout the process.

You’ll really feel a needle stick if a numbing drug is injected. This may increasingly trigger transient stinging.

When your pores and skin is numb, an ultrasound will likely be used to assist information an extended, skinny, hole needle by means of your pores and skin, into the uterus, and into the amniotic sac. This can be barely painful. It’s possible you’ll really feel some cramping because the needle enters the uterus.

The physician will withdraw a small quantity of amniotic fluid right into a syringe. The quantity depends upon the kind of testing that will likely be completed, however normally not more than an oz is eliminated. Your physique will make fluid to exchange the quantity taken out. It’s possible you’ll really feel a tugging or pulling feeling because the fluid is eliminated.

The needle will likely be eliminated.

The amniotic fluid will likely be put right into a particular light-protected container and despatched to the lab.

A bandage will likely be positioned over the needle website.

The fetus’ coronary heart price and your very important indicators will likely be checked.

If you’re Rh destructive, it’s possible you’ll be given Rhogam, a particular injection that may stop an Rh destructive mom’s antibodies from attacking Rh optimistic fetal blood cells.

What occurs after an amniocentesis?

You and your fetus will likely be monitored for a time after the process. Your very important indicators and the fetal coronary heart price will likely be checked frequently for an hour or longer.

The amniotic fluid pattern will likely be despatched to a genetics lab. Alpha-fetoprotein, a protein made by the fetus and current within the fluid, could also be measured to rule out an open neural tube defect, comparable to spina bifida. Testing might also be completed for different substances associated to metabolic or genetic circumstances. Relying on check outcomes, counseling with a genetics specialist could also be suggested.

It’s possible you’ll really feel some cramping throughout or after the process. Should you really feel lightheaded, dizzy, or nauseated, inform the nurse. It’s possible you’ll be instructed to relaxation in your left aspect.

After the check, relaxation at residence and keep away from strenuous actions for a minimum of 24 hours, or as directed by your healthcare supplier.

Inform your healthcare supplier when you have any of the next:

Any bleeding or leaking of amniotic fluid from the needle puncture website or the vagina

Fever or chills

Extreme stomach ache, cramping, or each

Adjustments within the exercise degree of your fetus (if you’re previous 20 to 24 weeks of being pregnant)

Your healthcare supplier might offer you different directions after the process, relying in your scenario.

Subsequent steps

Earlier than you comply with the check or the process ensure you know:

The identify of the check or process

The explanation you’re having the check or process

What outcomes to anticipate and what they imply

The dangers and advantages of the check or process

What the potential negative effects or problems are

When and the place you’re to have the check or process

Who will do the check or process and what that particular person’s {qualifications} are

What would occur when you didn’t have the check or process

Any various checks or procedures to consider

When and the way you’re going to get the outcomes

Who to name after the check or process when you have questions or issues

How a lot you’ll have to pay for the check or process