Amniocentesis or CVS is done when
there is an increased risk that the baby may have genetic disorders or birth defects
. It’s often done if: You are 35 years of age or older by the time your baby is due. You have an increased risk of having a baby with a chromosome abnormality.
Why would amniocentesis be recommended?
Amniocentesis is a prenatal procedure that your doctor may recommend you have during pregnancy. The
test checks for fetal abnormalities (birth defects) such as Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis or spina bifida
. In most cases, the results are normal. Amniocentesis is performed between 16 and 20 weeks into the pregnancy.
Why is amniocentesis a better diagnostic option than ultrasound?
Because ultrasound is performed at the time of amniocentesis,
it may detect birth defects that are not detected by amniocentesis
(such as cleft palate, cleft lip, club foot, or heart defects). There are some birth defects, however, that will not be detected by either amniocentesis or ultrasound.
Why is amniocentesis safer than CVS?
Early amniocentesis is not a safe early alternative to second trimester amniocentesis because
of increased pregnancy loss
(7.6% versus 5.9%; RR 1.29; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.61) and higher incidence of talipes compared to CVS (RR 4.61; 95% CI 1.82 to 11.66).
Is amniocentesis more accurate than CVS?
Amniocentesis is better than CVS for some women
. You should have amniocentesis if you have had a baby with a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida, or if you or your partner has a neural tube defect. CVS does not test for these problems. Amniocentesis may be better if the results of other tests have not been normal.
Is amniocentesis worth the risk?
Your doctor may recommend amniocentesis if your chances of having a
baby with a genetic condition or birth defect are higher than average
. Even though amniocentesis can detect certain problems, it can’t guarantee that your baby will be born healthy. No test can do that.
What are the disadvantages of amniocentesis?
- Infection. There is a very small chance that the amniotic fluid may get infected. …
- Injury. There is a chance that your baby may be poked by the needle during the test. …
- Bleeding. There is a small chance that you could bleed during the test. …
- Foot defect.
How accurate is amniocentesis for trisomy 21?
If all pregnant women 35 years or older chose to have amniocentesis,
about 30 percent of trisomy 21 pregnancies would be detected
. 11 Women younger than 35 years give birth to about 70 percent of infants with Down syndrome.
Has anyone miscarried after an amnio?
If you have amniocentesis after 15 weeks of pregnancy, the
chance of having a miscarriage is estimated to be up to 1 in a 100
. The risk is higher if the procedure is carried out before 15 weeks. It’s not known for certain why amniocentesis can lead to a miscarriage.
Can amniocentesis cause autism?
ASD was linked with elevated fetal testosterone levels in amniotic
fluid during routine amniocentesis [14]. A study in 192 twins reported that environmental factors accounted for 55% of the risk of developing ASD compared with genetic factors accounting for 37% [15].
Do I need bed rest after amniocentesis?
You may be told to rest on your left side. After the test,
rest at home and avoid strenuous activities for at least 24 hours
, or as directed by your healthcare provider. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following: Any bleeding or leaking of amniotic fluid from the needle puncture site or the vagina.
Can a amniocentesis be wrong?
What the results mean. Amniocentesis is estimated to give a definitive result in 98 to 99 out of every 100 women having the test. But it
cannot test for every condition
and, in a small number of cases, it’s not possible to get a conclusive result. Many women who have amniocentesis will have a “normal” result.
Is an amniocentesis painful?
Amniocentesis is not usually painful
, but you may feel uncomfortable during the procedure. Some women describe experiencing a pain similar to period pain or feeling pressure when the needle is taken out.
What would a pregnant female expect to find out after having an amniocentesis?
You have a family history of a specific genetic condition, or you or your partner is a known carrier of a genetic condition. In addition to identifying
Down syndrome
and the neural tube defect spina bifida, amniocentesis can be used to diagnose many other genetic conditions — such as cystic fibrosis.
What is the advantage of chorionic villus sampling over amniocentesis?
The main advantage of CVS over amniocentesis is that
it is performed much earlier in pregnancy, at 10 to 13 weeks, rather than 15 to 20 weeks
. A disadvantage is that neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, can’t be detected.
What are the risks of CVS and amniocentesis?
- Miscarriage.
- Infection or injury to the baby.
- Leaking of amniotic fluid.
- Vaginal bleeding.
