When Is An Amniocentesis Required? Know Here!

When you are pregnant, your baby is surrounded by amniotic fluid. This fluid acts as a cushion for your baby and is also a key factor in determining its health. Amniocentesis is a procedure, through which a small amount of amniotic fluid is collected and tested for abnormalities in your growing baby. It also helps in making early decisions regarding continuing the pregnancy or performing an early delivery. However, you can also take help from the amniotic fluid index to detect the pregnancy health of your mother and child. Now, let’s read more about what Amniocentesis is and when it’s really required, in detail. 

Amniocentesis Definition

It is an obstetric procedure in which some amount of amniotic fluid from your uterus is removed and used for detecting abnormalities in your baby. This amniotic fluid surrounds your baby and provides him with a physical and chemical cushion. Since it also contains some cells from the baby, checking it can help assess the health status of your baby.

This test is useful in detecting genetic abnormalities like spina bifida, Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis and also the status of lungs related to its maturity outside the womb.

Why Amniocentesis Test is Required?

Several tests are performed as a routine screening test during pregnancy to check for your health status as well as the health status of your growing baby. When any routine test is suggestive of any developmental or genetic abnormalities in your baby, you might be asked to undergo amniocentesis.

When is Amniocentesis Performed?

Amniocentesis is often performed between the 15th and 20th weeks of pregnancy. However, it can be done at any time, and it can be done sooner, but this increases the risk of problems and is typically avoided.

Here is a detailed list of indications when the doctor might ask for an amniocentesis procedure:

• If your age is over 35 years (this can risk your baby for genetic abnormalities like Down syndrome)
• If you or anyone in your family has a previous history of genetic problems
• If you have a prior history of being pregnant with a child with congenital disabilities like
• Down syndrome
• Spina bifida

If any of the factors mentioned above are positive, then performing an early amniocentesis is of help for deciding between continuing the pregnancy or terminating it.

Apart from these, a relatively new indication for genetic amniocentesis is obtaining genetic information regarding your baby.

How is an Amniocentesis Test Carried Out?

Amniocentesis is an OPD (outpatient department) procedure and you don’t need to get admitted to the hospital or stay in the hospital. The procedure will be carried out under the guidance of an ultrasound. You need to drink lots of fluid or water to fill up your bladder completely, for easing up the procedure.

Here are the procedure steps:

• First, an ultrasound is performed for determining the precise location of your baby
• After that, a numbing medication will be applied to some area on your belly
• An amniocentesis needle will be inserted through your belly into your womb, via the numbed area
• About 30 ml of amniotic fluid will be withdrawn for testing
  

This entire procedure takes about 2-3 minutes. Amniocentesis test results are usually available within 3-4 days.

Amniocentesis Risks Factors Involved

Amniocentesis is usually performed between 15-20 weeks or during the 2nd trimester. There are a few complications associated which include:

• Cramps in abdomen
• Vaginal bleeding soon after the procedure
• Very rarely, the fluid during the amniotic fluid test leaks outside
• Uterine infection, rarely
• If you are a known patient of Hepatitis C or HIV, then the risks of transmitting the infection to your baby
• Sometimes, when early amniocentesis needs to be performed in high-risk cases, there is a small risk of miscarriage.

How are the Amniocentesis Test Results Interpreted?

Once the test results are ready, your obstetrician or a genetic counsellor will help in explaining the test results. It screens your baby for genetic disorders like:

• Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome or Patow syndrome
• Cystic fibrosis
• Muscular dystrophy
• Tay-Sachs disease
• Neural tube defects
  

Amniocentesis test results also help in diagnosing milder forms of diseases like thalassaemia, sickle cell anaemia, and haemophilia. It is also very reliable in detecting a baby’s lung maturity. 

FAQs

Q1: How painful is amniocentesis?

Although amniocentesis is normally painless, you may experience some discomfort during the process. Some women report feeling pressure or a sensation comparable to period pain.

Q2  Can amniocentesis cause autism?

Mainly no! It’s a key to detecting autism in the womb. 

Q3 Do I need bed rest after amniocentesis?

You don’t need to take bed rest after undergoing this test. But you should avoid exercise or heavy weight lifting for the next 24 to 48 hours after the operation.

Q4 Does the amniotic sac heal after the test?

After amniocentesis, the membrane restores and heals on its own.

Q5 When Will I Receive the Results of the Amniocentesis?

You should get the results within three working days, which will inform you whether you have a chromosomal problem or not. However, it can also take three weeks or longer for the results. 

Q6 What is the cost of an Amniocentesis Test?

Amniocentesis test cost in India varies depending on the institute, technician, and all lab machines utilised. The minimum price in India ranges between Rs. 7000- Rs. 18,000.

Takeaway

Your amniocentesis results will be explained to you by your doctor easily. The results of genetic amniocentesis can accurately diagnose a variety of genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. So, in that case, you can seek help from your loved ones and your doctor.

Also read: Hydramnios: Excess Amniotic Fluid , Amniocentesis Test in Hindi

#pregnancymustknow

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