Search the site   
Register | Login    
parenting
 
Related Articles on Preconception
What parents are currently discussing?

 
You are here : home > Preconception > Miscarriages, Abortions and Congenital Diseases > Detecting Abnormalities: Amniocentesis

Detecting Abnormalities: Amniocentesis

What is amniocentesis and how is it performed

This test is helpful in diagnosing birth defects such as neural tube defect (NTD), including anencephaly (formation of brain failure) and spina bifida (open spine). A small sample of the fluid in which the baby lies is drawn off through a needle.  The test measures the amount of fetal protein both in the mother's blood as well as in the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby.
 

For whom is amniocentesis advised

An amniocentesis is usually advised for women in the following high risk category for birth defects: women over 35, women with three or more miscarriages, either parent or sibling has a known chromosomal abnormality or a hereditary disease.

More Articles on:
Pregnancy | Conception | Detection | Abnormalities | Congenital Diseases | Abortion | Amniocentesis


Back to Previous Page   |   More on Preconception Index

Recent comments (66 comments)
Add your comment ( please login to post comment )
Your Name: 
Country: 
Comment: 
Name: Mils
Country: Bulgaria

amniocentesis is a boon for women with a family history of a disease. it can prevent miscarriage and any other future problems that the baby or the mother may face by detecting it early. could you tell me how it detects the abnormalities.
 
Name: Somu
Country: Fiji

is amniocentesis a painful procedure. from where is the sample fluid taken and is it painful? how much time does it take to give the results? do all hospitals and nursing homes have this faclitiy
 
Name: Sheeba
Country: Jamaica

i have a family history of spina bifida. i am now 15 weeks pregnant. though my doctor says the baby is doing fine i do not want to take any chances. i want to get amniocentesis done. what is the earliest time when it can detect abnormalities in the developing baby.
 
Name: sote
Country: U.S.A.

dear heartbroken, (pls 4giv the choice 2 write n txt form n order 2 save space on this site.) i hav kept ur writings n my email box & over the last several years u hav crossed my thots. it is difficult to tlk with frank honesty 2 sum1 who has suffered a loss such as ur own. even now after several years hav past, i find it difficult. however, i want you and others to no the truth abt abortion. i hav reposted ur last writings below n the next post n order that u & others may review ur standing. if gd intends it, u will revist this site & find my response. i will begin my response by saying tht while my heart goes out 2 u my position has not changed. i can not change it b/c it is not my own. it is that of gd's. abortion is against gd's will & it is not our rite 2 take a life tht he has created. this is not me casting my judgement on any1 or their circumstances. it is simply gd's truth spoken thru me. indeed, i hav not been in your circumstances & i 2 hope tht i never hav 2 face wat u hav. i can't imagine. however, it is still my concern 4 u & others tht you hav been lied 2 & manipulated by this world & satan into a decision tht no mother shud ever even b given the option of. killing unborn babies is a murderous, inhumane practice hidden behind fancy medical terms as tho it is a practical solution. killing a baby is wrong no matter which way u look at it & ther r consequences 4 the mother and even others involved. review & think abt wat u wrote: "believe me i think i shud go thru horrible pain 4 doing this 2 my baby, bt the decision is clear & ther is no way 2 realy describe how i feel about having 2 kill my own baby, nothing short of devastation & pain, & hate w/myself." these r ur words & they dont sound like thos comin from sum1 who has made the "right" decision. if it wer "right" then ther wud b no reason 4 u 2 hate urself & wish suffering upon urself. further, u write: "i hav 2 do this b/c he will not live." ur sayin here tht u had 2 kill ur baby b/c he was going 2 die? so, wat did u save him from? this is the twisted thinking tht satan is known for. he is a liar & a murderer (john 8:44). he will do anything 2 hurt gd & wat better way than 2 convince us tht killing our own infants is rite & even necessary. ur baby may hav died by natural causes no matter wat u did, bt wud natural causes not b mor honoring of his little life than 2b murdered n the womb? instead of the natural death tht he deserved as a human being, he was dehumanized, deemed unfit to live even his very short life & destroyed. his death then left behind a mother who became just 1 mor victim of "choice." i mean no harm 2 u or others who hav had abortions. it saddens me 4 the mothers as well as the tiny lives tht wer taken regardless of wat reason, selfish or not. it is my desire tht mothers no the truth abt abortion, tht it is wrong. any1 who does not think so, ask urself this question: y do abortion centers now offer counseling after the procedure? counseling typically follows incidents of being victimized such as molestation, child abuse, rape, violent crimes, etc. wat need wud ther b 4 counseling if a woman wer simply making a choice tht was "right?" think it thru ladies. don't believe a lie. 4 those who hav already made tht choice u r not doomed 2 hell as many pro life fighters wud claim. gd is 1 of love & forgiveness who wants a relationship w/each of us. 4 any1 who wants 2 get 2 no this forgiving gd, read the book of john in the bible. gd bless.
 
Name: heartbroken
Country: U.S.A.

written and posted by "heartbroken" about 4 or 5 years ago. reposted now on 9/9/09 "abortion is not something to be taken lightly. i know that some of you feel that we don't need to make this decision b/c god will take those who need to be taken. as much as i believe that, or want to believe that, god puts us in certain situations that he knows we can handle. the prayer: god grant me the serenity to accept the things i can not change, courage to change the things i can and the wisdom to know the difference is a prayer that was echoing through my head before i even knew there was something wrong with my baby. when i got the call, i prayed for strength and i prayed that i wouldn't have to make that decision. even though i cry every night and pray that my baby is taken care of in heaven i know that i am making the right decision for my baby. s.o.t.e believes that it is never right to make that decision, but i truly believe that god made it for me. as devastating as the news was to hear that there is no doubt that my baby will die before it even makes it to 9 months in the womb, when the fourth specialist told me that i suddenly felt serene and i believe that god was telling me what was right. i am not just saying that to make it easier on myself, believe me i think i should go through horrible pain for doing this to my baby, but the decision is clear and there is no way to really describe how i feel about having to kill my own baby, nothing short of devastation and pain, and hate with myself. so many people are writing not to get and abortion, give it up for adoption. a response to that is, that isn't always an option. to: s.o.t.e. i read that you have 3 children of your own and that you are happily married and i am glad you don't have to face some of the problems that many of the couples do. i don't expect you to change your opinions of how wrong abortion is and i don't really want you to, but i don't think it is fair for you to say that everybody who has had an abortion or has to consider having one is faithless or is going against god. i see that you are a frequent visitor of this site. you obviously never been told that your baby will never take it's first breath, or that he will die before you will ever get to full term, and for your sake, i hope you never do. you casting your judgement on everybody who is faced with this decision is disgusting. again, i mention my case (heart broken). you think everyone is making this decision to better their lives and it is a bunch of bull. if my doctor told me that my baby would be disabled or just wouldn't have any legs or something like that then i would defiantly not have an abortion b/c i know that disabled people are far more grateful to be alive than anyone else i have ever met. i did not decide to go through with this to make my life easier. i have to do this b/c he will not live. i been to see 5 different doctors and specialists and maternal-fetal specialists who all give me the same prognosis. so, for you to tell people that it is the devil telling them to do wrong you need to do some more research on fetal abnormalities and diseases and quit trying to make people feel bad about having to make the most difficult decision in their life. again, read my story and realize that there are others in the same situation that i am and you have no right to tell everybody that they are wrong. i hope that you never are put in the situation that i, and many other women are in.
 
Name: Rose
Country: United Kingdom

hello i just had a miscarraige at 6-8 weeks!i had spotting etc cramps and back ache had a scan and they couldnt find anything.clear early miscarraige.very upset buy this i have a daughter at 8 years its taken me this long and im worried that was my last chance(pregnancy)how soon after a miscarrage can you concive????
 
Name: jothi
Country: India

i am 28yrs i had abortion last month, when can i get pregnant soon
 
Name: Sweta
Country: India

hi i had my miscarige in may 2007,and now i have miss periods by 14 days and today there is red spoting ,is that i am pregnent or not ?
 
Name: AngryPALAK
Country: U.S.A.

i am 29 yrs old & just had 2 miscarriages in 5 mths.i am so tired and emotionally depressed.i am tensed about what will happen next time.are 2 miscarriages common ?do i have a hope?what kind of tests should i do?my doc is so easy going.he is not serious about me getting tested .god give me patience.
 
Name: DATE POSTS
Country: U.S.A.

date of last post: january 31, 2009
 
Name: voice of reason
Country: U.S.A.

to anni in india: maybe i am mistaken on what you mean by "5 abortions", but if not, why on earth are to trying to conceive a 6th child??? ele: your comment is so true. how sad it is. and, of course, abortionists are not going to stop. it is a huge money maker to kill premature babies inside the womb. further, if abortionists do not have the morals to refrain from brutally murdering countless helpless infants (how hard can that be???) then they are hardly going to care about the women the "procedure" will mentally and emotionally damage. abortion is a sick, sick, devestating practice disguised by casual medical terms. and, of course, women are not going to just forget. they will have a vision of a child that grows older each passing year, but only in their mind. they will have a longing for that baby they never got to hold. they will experience an incomplete emptiness at having nothing more than a medical bill to validate the little life that is now forever gone. they will have unbearable remorse at having been the cause of their own grief. if any woman can truly forget then she either does not understand the impact of what she has done, has justified it in her mind or is too callused to care either way. though i am sorry for those who morn the loss of their aborted babies, i am also glad for them. at least these women understand and care about what they have done.
 
Name: Nomsa
Country: South Africa

hi. i had a surgical abortion 2months ago , i need 2 knw if there is pill that i can take to clean my wonb. or should i go to the doctor. what advice can you guys give me, b'coz i dont realy know what to do pleasd help me
 
Name: Nomsa
Country: South Africa

hi. i had a surgical abortion 2months ago , i need 2 knw if there is pill that i can take to clean my wonb. or should i go to the doctor. what advice can you guys give me, b'coz i dont realy know what to do pleasd help me
 
Name: anni
Country: India

hii i have 5 abortions and i want concive now please help me out.
 
Name: xyz
Country: India

hai previously i had 2 abortions and recently june 10th one miscarriage my doubt is am i able to get pregnant?
 
Name: Meenakshi
Country: India

hi,after reading comments of so many people i come to the conclusion that i have faced my missed abortion very bravely.may be because i have a lovely kid of 4yrs already or may be god gave me all the strength.i want to look ahead not behind.what was not mine did not come to me.i lost my baby in the 10th week and it has happened only 10 days back.the foetus did not have heart beat and the cause of missed abortion has not been known.my only problem is i want to conceive now and doctor has asked me to wait till 6months.if any one can help me with any advice please help.
 
Name: ele
Country: U.S.A.

to all of you who have had miscarriages and abortions, i want to hug you so much. it is horrible, and they don't tell you how horrible it will be. here in my town we have a company giving abortion 90 times per week. i wish the company would stop and tell them how hard it is on your memory to know your baby died. but the company doesn't listen to the moms who were hurt by sadness. they tell them they will forget it. but you never forget! :( they say they're there to help women but there are 70 here just this year who have come to get help because of how much sadness they have now from the abortion. so so so sad. i love all of you! look up abortion recovery on google.
 
Name: Minu1981
Country: India

i had a miscarriage during dec-07.but after 1 yr of trial i am not concieving.pls tell me the reason. what i have to do for conciption.
 
Name: MARIA
Country: New Zealand

hi my name is maria i am 27 yrs old i have been with my partner for 10 years and we have been happily married for a year now.two months ago i had a miscarriage my husband and i were so devastated.i carried our beautiful twin angels for 12 weeks then at my 12 week scan the sad news (twins with no heart beats).its been really difficult for me but with my husbands support i am getting through it. i just take it day by day.we were like many of you we had hopes and dreams for our babies and then in a few seconds those hopes and dreams were gone.i was so shocked i was numb.. i have to be honest its been a real hurtful experience for me mentally emotionally physically. but i am doing extremely well ive come to terms with the fact that my angels are in heaven watching over me and my husband and i believe one day we will be together again.my husband and i plan to try again next year in 2009.we are both excited to try again.i understand any woman who has had a miscarriage my heart goes out to u all!!!
 
Name: lucy
Country: United Kingdom

hi kim i have just had a miscarriage and i was 5 months pregnant and we arranged a funeral and burial for our baby. the hospital will do a cremation and a service if thats what people choose.
 
Name: suchitra
Country: India

i have a abortion on 1st july 2008 i was in sixth month bcoz of baby heart problem it was done
 
Name: Lelo
Country: South Africa

i had a d&c on monday the 7 of july. it was an incomplete miscarriage.i thought i'd be fine after that but i find myself crying now and then. i was 7wks pregnant and although it seemed short it was so important to me. i'm so scared that the d&c could have caused further damage i just pray that when i'm ready to try again there won't be any problems. i never thought that i would go through this, but i guess none us thought that it would happpen. we never expect losing a child when your told your pregnant i'm so sorry to all of you, but god has his own way and i think if we trust in him for healing and restoration in our bodies,minds and souls we will be able to survive. i hope everything goes well for you all and me too.
 
Name: Sony
Country: India

i was pregnant but lost my baby just few weeks before my due date.my due date was on 11th jan'2008 and my baby expired in my womb on 25th dec'07 due to the cord hamoerrage.doctors were unable to find any reason for the same.i am 27 years old and want to know what precautions should i take care of while planning for a baby and also when should i again plan for baby.
 
Name: mane
Country: United Kingdom

i had miscarriage last november at 19weeks+5days following early rupture of membrane.very sad & painful moment. no cause was found. i was 9 weeks preg and last week i had missed abortion. d+c was done yesterday! i feel depressed, sad and empty! it is very painful!!!
 
Name: Piyalee
Country: India

i had a missed abortion on 26th april,2008. i was then 8 weeks preagnant. suddenly from 25th i has spotting and then usg report showed the foetal node has not grown after 4 weeks and there was no heart beat.now my question why did the baby didn't grow? is there any reason for it? what are the methods that could test the cause of this and could ensure that if its detected and treated i can have baby in future.pls reply i need to know.


 

 
 
RELATED VIDEOS ON
Preconception
Best Position to Get Pregnant
Best Position to Get Pregnant
Loss of Pregnancy - Miscarriage
Loss of Pregnancy - Miscarriage
Right Time for Getting Pregnant
Right Time for Getting Pregnant
Information about Varicocele
Information about Varicocele
 







Baby - Baby Photo Contest | Lucky Names | Lucky Birthdates | Horoscopes | Chinese Calendar | Compatibility Test | Fun Zone
Parenting - Message Boards | Planning a Baby | Pregnancy | Parents of Babies | Baby Names | Baby Name Poll | Birth Announcements | Parenting Quiz
Family - Cooking Club | Love & Relationships | Beauty Tips | Kids Weight Calculator | Recipe Maker
General - Calorie Counter | Personality Quiz | Love Signs | Compatibility Quiz

Home | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Comments or Suggestions | Indiaparenting News Articles | Contact Us | Advertise with Us | Resources | RSS
Copyright (c) 1999 - 2012 India Parenting Pvt. Ltd.