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Amniocentesis is the withdrawal of a small amount of amniotic fluid (the fluid surrounding a developing fetus) from the uterus. The procedure is done in a doctor's office or a hospital, usually when a woman is about 16 weeks pregnant, counting the from the first day of her last menstrual period.
Before the procedure, the doctor performs an ultrasound or sonogram, which shows a picture of the uterus, the placenta, the amniotic fluid and the fetus on a screen. After reviewing the image, the doctor inserts a very thin needle through the woman's abdomen into the uterus and takes out approximately one ounce of amniotic fluid. This part of the procedure lasts only a few minutes. After the sample is taken, another ultrasound check is done.
Some women say that an amniocnetesis does not hurt at all, while others say they feel pressure or cramping during the procedure. Often, people find that waiting for the test results is the most difficult part.
Different tests can be performed ona sample of amniotic fluid, depending on why a particular pregnancy is at risk. At the same time, a prenatal paternity test can be performed to confirm paternity of the child. Confirming paternity early on in the pregnancy, allows both parents to participate in the pregnancy and preparation for the child.
Most women who decide to have an amniocentesis are at risk for having a baby with a chromosome abnormality. The amniotic fluid contains cells that have been shed from teh fetus. Any abnormality in chromsomes almost always lead to ser ious physical birth defects, mental retardation or both.
The most common chromosome abnormality is Down Syndrome, is caused by an extra #21 chromsome. The standard laboratory testing detects over 99% of chromosome abnormalities and results are usually available in 10 days. Results for prenatal paternity test, when an amniocentesis is the method, usually takes 5 business days.
Examples of inherited diseases that can be tested for prenatally include Tay-Sachs, cycstic fibrosis and sickel cell desease. Amniotic Fluid can also be tested for open neural tube defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly when the spinal cord or brain fo the baby have not developed properly. AFP (a protein Alpha-fetoprotein) is mesured and detects over 90% of all open nural tube defects.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that all women, regardless of age, consider the option of amniocentesis for the diagnosis of chromosome abnormalities. In the past, only older women (over 35) were offered amniocentesis because the risk for the most common chromosome abnormalities was known to increase with maternal age. However, there are now non-invasive screening tests performed on a sample of a woman's blood that can more accurately identify her specific risk for common chromosome abnormalities.
Of course, a woman may choose not to have any testing at all. If a woman is unsure whether or not she should have an amniocentesis, she sould speak with her doctor, a genetic counselor or other specialist in genetics. At the same time, if paternity is in question, a woman can schedule a PreNatal Paternity Test with her local DNA collections expert.
Before the procedure, the doctor performs an ultrasound or sonogram, which shows a picture of the uterus, the placenta, the amniotic fluid and the fetus on a screen. After reviewing the image, the doctor inserts a very thin needle through the woman's abdomen into the uterus and takes out approximately one ounce of amniotic fluid. This part of the procedure lasts only a few minutes. After the sample is taken, another ultrasound check is done.
Some women say that an amniocnetesis does not hurt at all, while others say they feel pressure or cramping during the procedure. Often, people find that waiting for the test results is the most difficult part.
Different tests can be performed ona sample of amniotic fluid, depending on why a particular pregnancy is at risk. At the same time, a prenatal paternity test can be performed to confirm paternity of the child. Confirming paternity early on in the pregnancy, allows both parents to participate in the pregnancy and preparation for the child.
Most women who decide to have an amniocentesis are at risk for having a baby with a chromosome abnormality. The amniotic fluid contains cells that have been shed from teh fetus. Any abnormality in chromsomes almost always lead to ser ious physical birth defects, mental retardation or both.
The most common chromosome abnormality is Down Syndrome, is caused by an extra #21 chromsome. The standard laboratory testing detects over 99% of chromosome abnormalities and results are usually available in 10 days. Results for prenatal paternity test, when an amniocentesis is the method, usually takes 5 business days.
Examples of inherited diseases that can be tested for prenatally include Tay-Sachs, cycstic fibrosis and sickel cell desease. Amniotic Fluid can also be tested for open neural tube defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly when the spinal cord or brain fo the baby have not developed properly. AFP (a protein Alpha-fetoprotein) is mesured and detects over 90% of all open nural tube defects.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that all women, regardless of age, consider the option of amniocentesis for the diagnosis of chromosome abnormalities. In the past, only older women (over 35) were offered amniocentesis because the risk for the most common chromosome abnormalities was known to increase with maternal age. However, there are now non-invasive screening tests performed on a sample of a woman's blood that can more accurately identify her specific risk for common chromosome abnormalities.
Of course, a woman may choose not to have any testing at all. If a woman is unsure whether or not she should have an amniocentesis, she sould speak with her doctor, a genetic counselor or other specialist in genetics. At the same time, if paternity is in question, a woman can schedule a PreNatal Paternity Test with her local DNA collections expert.
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