A 36-year-old member asked:
What is amniocentesis?
3 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in

Dr. Pam Yoderanswered
Specializes in Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Amnio is a procedure: Amniocentesis is the procedure during which a long, slim needle is inserted through the prenant woman's abdominal and uterine walls and through the membranes of the amniotic sac, and fluid is aspirated/drawn into a syringe attached to that needle. Fluid can be studied for chromosomes (karyotype) or special genetic disorders, for infection, for lung maturity and for other conditions of baby or mom.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Kang Zhanganswered
27 years experience
Amniotic fluid: Amniocentesis is a technique for obtaining amniotic fluid from the uterine cavity using a needle. It can be for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. It is most commonly used to evaluate fetal health (e.g., lung maturity, presence of infection...Etc.).
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Parul Krishnamurthyanswered
Obstetrics & Gynecology 35 years experience
Wait for results: I presume you are undergoing amniocentesis for genetic testing. Take it easy for a day or so, your doctor will give you precautions to follow
4k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
Similar questions
A 33-year-old member asked:
What is an amniocentesis (amnio)?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Nikolaos Zachariasanswered
Maternal-Fetal Medicine 27 years experience
Needling procedure.: Amnioparacentesis in greek (amnio for short) is a prenatal invasive diagnostic genetic procedure devised to glean information from the pregnancy sac with small risk. It is used to determine fetal dna make-up, mutations, anemia, infections, open neural tube or abdominal wall defects. It is typically done 16-22 weeks by maternal-fetal or genetic specialists; complications occur in 1:100-1:1, 000.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
How accurate is amniocentesis?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

A Verified Doctoranswered
31 years experience
100%: Amniocentesis is 100% accurate.
6.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
What happens during an amniocentesis?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Pam Yoderanswered
Specializes in Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Amnio step-by-step: Consent is obtained; questions are answered. Ultrasound is used to find best location for needle. Iodine is wiped on skin. Ultrasound is placed on abdomen again. Skin may or may not be numbed by injection. Amniocentesis needle (long but thin) is inserted through abdominal wall into amniotic sac. Syringe is attached; fluid is withdrawn. Heartbeat is checked. Skin is cleaned. Instructions are given.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Should I have cvs or amniocentesis?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Jeff Livingstonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 23 years experience
Maybe: CVS and amniocentesis are tests that some patients will choose to have to help get a diagnosis. They allow testing of the baby's genes and help diagnosis genetic defects. These tests are not done routinely on everyone but rather on those who are at high risk for genetic diseases. Age > 35 or an abnormal blood test for Down syndrome would be examples of those who might consider this.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
How risky is an amniocentesis?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Miriam Sivkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Has risks: All procedures have risks and benefits. Refer to provider for their risk ratio.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 28, 2016
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