Certain factors or conditions may interfere with an amniocentesis. These factors include: Pregnancy earlier than 14 weeks The position of the baby, placenta, amount of fluid, or mother's anatomy Women with twins or other multiples will need fluid samples from each amniotic sac to study each baby You may have other risks, depending on your condition.
How do I get ready for an amniocentesis? Your healthcare provider will explain the procedure and you can ask questions. You will be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully and ask questions if anything is unclear. Generally, there are no special limits on diet or activity before an amniocentesis. Tell your healthcare provider if you are sensitive to or are allergic to any medicines, latex, tape, or anesthesia.
Tell your healthcare provider of all medicines prescription and over-the-counter , herbs, vitamins, and supplements that you are taking. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any anticoagulant blood-thinning medicines, aspirin, or other medicines that affect blood clotting. You may be told to stop these medicines before the procedure. Make sure your healthcare provider knows if your blood type is Rh negative. During the amniocentesis, blood cells from the mother and fetus can mix.
This can lead to Rh sensitization and breaking down of fetal red blood cells if you are Rh negative and your baby is Rh positive. You may or may not be asked to empty your bladder right before the procedure.
In early pregnancy, a full bladder helps move the uterus into a better position for the procedure. In later pregnancy, the bladder should be empty to lower the risk of puncture with the amniocentesis needle. Follow any other instructions your provider gives you to get ready. What happens during an amniocentesis? Generally, an amniocentesis follows this process: You will need to undress completely, or from the waist down, and put on a hospital gown.
You will be asked to lie down on an exam table and place your hands behind your head. Your blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate will be checked. An ultrasound will be used to check the fetal heart rate; the position of the placenta, fetus, and umbilical cord; and to find a pocket of amniotic fluid. Your abdomen will be cleaned with an antiseptic. You will be told not to touch the sterile area on your abdomen during the procedure. You will feel a needle stick if a numbing drug is injected.
Compare Option 1 Have amniocentesis Don't have amniocentesis. Compare Option 2 Have amniocentesis Don't have amniocentesis. Have amniocentesis Have amniocentesis You lie on your back while your doctor puts a long needle into your belly. You may feel some discomfort, but the test only takes a few minutes. You go home after the test. You find out early in your pregnancy if your baby has a genetic condition or birth defect.
Information from the test can help you to: Decide if you want to continue your pregnancy. Make plans to care for a baby who is sick or has a birth defect. Choose a hospital that specializes in caring for newborns with serious health problems. Possible risks include: A miscarriage. An infection. A needle injury to your baby. A foot defect. Don't have amniocentesis Don't have amniocentesis You have regular prenatal examinations and blood tests to check for any signs of problems. You won't know if your baby has a severe birth defect until after he or she is born.
Birth could be harder on you or your baby if the doctor doesn't know ahead of time that there is a problem. Personal stories about considering amniocentesis These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. What matters most to you?
Reasons to have amniocentesis Reasons not to have amniocentesis. I'm worried that something might be wrong with my baby. I'm not worried that something might be wrong with my baby. I'm not afraid of the needle that is used to do the test. I don't like needles. My other important reasons: My other important reasons:. Where are you leaning now? Having amniocentesis NOT having amniocentesis. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts. Yes Sorry, that's not right. No That's right. I'm not sure It may help to go back and read "Get the Facts. Yes That's right. No Sorry, that's not right. Your doctor may recommend amniocentesis if your chances of having a baby with a genetic condition or birth defect are higher than average. Decide what's next. Yes No. I'm ready to take action. I want to discuss the options with others.
I want to learn more about my options. Your Summary. Your decision Next steps. Your knowledge of the facts Key concepts that you understood. Key concepts that may need review. Getting ready to act Patient choices. What matters to you. Print Summary. Credits and References Credits. Akolekar R, et al. Procedure-related risk of miscarriage following amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 45 1 : 16— DOI: Accessed April 5, Cunningham FG, et al. Prenatal diagnosis and fetal therapy. In Williams Obstetrics, 23rd ed.
Get the facts Compare your options What matters most to you? Get the Facts Your options Have an amniocentesis test. Compare your options Have amniocentesis Don't have amniocentesis What is usually involved?
You lie on your back while your doctor puts a long needle into your belly. You have regular prenatal examinations and blood tests to check for any signs of problems. Check the facts 1. Yes No I'm not sure. That's right. Does amniocentesis have some risks? Should all pregnant women have amniocentesis? Decide what's next 1. Do you understand the options available to you? It's not a routine test. But your doctor may recommend it if a fetal ultrasound and blood tests suggest that your chances of having a baby with a genetic condition or a birth defect are higher than average.
Or you may already know that your chances are higher because of your age and family history. Some women don't want to wait until their second trimester to see if their baby might have a problem. They might decide to have a chorionic villus sampling CVS test instead of amniocentesis.
CVS can be done between 10 and 13 weeks of pregnancy to look for Down syndrome and other serious health problems. But it can't find certain problems, such as birth defects of the heart, stomach, intestines, or brain and spine neural tube defect.
Even if the results from your amniocentesis are normal, it doesn't guarantee that your baby will be born healthy.
For example, this test can't find many common birth defects, such as cleft lip , cleft palate , and heart problems. No single test can find all problems. This test can tell you if your baby may be born with a serious health problem. Many parents are not prepared to care for a baby who is sick or has a birth defect. Information that you get from this test can help you and your partner plan for the future. If the test finds that your baby has a genetic condition or a birth defect, you and your partner may be faced with a tough decision about whether to continue the pregnancy.
You may find it helpful to talk with your doctor and a genetic counselor. They can help you understand your baby's health problem and what to expect when he or she is born. Results from the test can also help you decide where to have your baby. If your baby will need surgery or special care, you can plan to have your baby in a hospital that has special services for newborns, such as a neonatal intensive care unit.
Amniocentesis is usually very safe. But the test does have some risks. You'll have to weigh the risks against the benefits of knowing if something might be wrong with your baby. There is a chance that the test may cause you to have a miscarriage. This means that you could lose your baby after you have the test. But when the test is done by highly trained doctors, the risk of having a miscarriage is small.
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. I have a friend whose child was born with Down syndrome. She didn't know about her baby's Down syndrome until after he was born, and it was emotionally difficult for her to deal with the diagnosis. I remember how hard it was for her and her family to adjust to a new life with a special-needs child.
I want to know before giving birth if I am going to have a child with a disability. This will give me time to prepare emotionally as well as time to prepare to have my baby at a hospital that is equipped to care for sick babies. I am prepared to accept my child, regardless of whether he or she has a birth defect, even a severe birth defect. Even though I am at a higher risk of having a child with a birth defect because of my age, I will continue the pregnancy regardless of the results of an amniocentesis.
My doctor and hospital are well equipped to handle my pregnancy and delivery, so I feel that I have made the best decision for my family and me.
I have no family history of birth defects. But I am 42 years old, which puts me at higher risk for having a baby with a birth defect. I have two children already, and I feel that my time, energy, and financial resources are at a premium. I can't afford, financially or emotionally, to have a child with a serious birth defect. I am choosing to have an amniocentesis to help detect a birth defect.
If the results are abnormal, I feel it is in my best interest and my family's to end this pregnancy. I was 35 when I became pregnant with my first child. I was nervous about pregnancy anyway and especially worried that there might be something wrong with the baby.
I decided to have chorionic villus sampling instead of waiting for an amniocentesis because it allowed me to find out in the first trimester if the baby had genetic problems.
If the answer had been yes, I would have terminated the pregnancy. In my case, the answer was negative, and I was able to go through the rest of my pregnancy feeling more at ease. Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
I want to know if my baby has a birth defect so I have time to prepare to care for a child with special needs. Knowing that my baby has a birth defect won't change the way I plan to care for my child. I want to know if my baby has a birth defect so I have time to decide if I want to continue my pregnancy. Knowing that my baby has a birth defect won't change my plans to carry my baby to term.
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
I don't have insurance, and I can't afford to pay for the test myself. Can an amniocentesis test guarantee that your baby will be born healthy? Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
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