During pregnancy, for various reasons, a violation of the condition of the fetus can occur.. The child is surrounded by amniotic fluid - amniotic fluid, which also contains living cells of his skin, exfoliated, but in the process of growth, and other substances. Their study helps to find out valuable information about the health of the fetus, and this diagnostic method is called amniocentesis..

What is amniocentesis? Amniocentesis - a method for examining amniotic fluid. It is a piercing of the abdominal wall of the uterus. In the process of its implementation, a small amount of amniotic fluid is taken and a number of studies are carried out: hormonal (quantity, composition of hormones), immunological (identification of violations in individual parts of immunity), biochemical (composition of amniotic fluid). The summary analysis of these fluid studies helps to determine the general condition of the fetus and determine the risk of genetic abnormalities..

What pathologies can be detected by amniocentesis There are several hundred varieties of genetic defects that can be detected by amniocentesis, including chromosomal diseases (Edwards, Patau and Down syndromes), neural tube defects (spinal hernia, etc.)..

However, birth defects such as cleft palate and cleft lip are not shown by amniocentesis..

Indications for the study The decision to use the method of amniocentesis can only be taken by a pregnant woman, since this procedure is associated with certain risks. Opinions differ as to the feasibility of this study.. First of all, you need to be prepared for the fact that if an anomaly is detected, you may have to terminate the pregnancy.. However, early detection of a defect in a child will give time to figure out what help may be needed..

And since amniocentesis poses some threat to the health of the mother and her child, this test is offered only to women who have significant prerequisites for the development of genetic diseases in the fetus, including in cases where:.

An ultrasound revealed a serious problem, such as a defect in the heart, which may indicate a chromosomal abnormality;

According to the results of screening tests, there is a risk of a baby being born with chromosomal abnormalities;

One or more relatives of the woman and/or the child's father have some genetic abnormality;

A pregnant woman is over 35 years old, since from this age the risk of having a sick child increases - 1 case in about 300 (for comparison, at the age of a mother of 20 years, this ratio is 1 to 2000).

The woman has already had a pregnancy with genetic abnormalities in the fetus.

Amniocentesis - timing and method. 14 weeks after the first day of the first period that did not occur). However, if the doctor has reason to suspect that the fetus has a heart defect or a serious genetic disease, then amniocentesis is allowed for up to 14 weeks..

Also, in some individual cases, amniocentesis is also performed at later dates for the purpose of artificial termination of pregnancy, if there are medical indications for this.. In this case, a concentrated salt solution or other drug is injected into the bladder..

The obstetrician-gynecologist conducts this diagnostic test in the operating room. Before the procedure, a pregnant woman must do an ultrasound to determine the location of the placenta in order to avoid damage during the puncture.

The puncture itself is made through the anterior abdominal wall of the uterus, after treating a small area of \u200b\u200bthe skin of the abdomen with a five percent alcohol solution of iodine. The puncture site is anesthetized with local anesthesia to reduce discomfort.. Under ultrasound guidance, the doctor inserts a thin long hollow needle into the amniotic cavity and collects 15-20 ml of fluid, which is sent for laboratory analysis. In the laboratory, all chromosomes are counted and their structure is determined, but the procedure takes two to three weeks.. The fact is that for diagnostic purposes, a certain number of baby cells are needed, which are grown in special conditions, which is why a woman does not receive results immediately..

Patients may experience abdominal pain immediately after amniocentesis.

Some people have minor spotting after amniocentesis.. Therefore, as a rule, the doctor recommends bed rest during the day..

Also, after the amniocentesis, the doctor will check the baby's heartbeat for some time and observe the woman to prevent possible uterine contractions..

Contraindications to amniocentesis Presence of a benign tumor in the uterus;

malformations of the uterus;

location of the placenta on the anterior wall of the uterus;

threatened miscarriage;

infectious processes or feverish conditions.

Consequences of amniocentesisThere are some risks associated with this test. Possible side effects of amniocentesis include:.

Developing an infection or other complications (in one in 200 women);

Bleeding in the woman or fetus;

Feeling contractions for several hours after the procedure is the most common consequence of amniocentesis.;

Miscarriage of a healthy baby (1 case out of 500);

Spontaneous abortion. An Rh-negative mother is given an injection of Rho-gamma globulin before the procedure to protect her baby from her antibodies.. In 2 out of 100 cases, this injection provokes a miscarriage.;

Injury to the fetus (the likelihood of such a consequence of amniocentesis is almost zero, but, nevertheless, it is possible if the doctor touches the vital area of \u200b\u200b\\u200b\\u200bthe child with a needle);

Damage to the amniotic sac, leading to bleeding and leakage of amniotic fluid (the patient will have to lie down for preservation, treatment can take up to several months);

preterm birth.

Given all of the above, every woman, before agreeing to a test, must take into account the possible consequences of an amniocentesis and weigh the pros and cons. In addition, the test result still cannot guarantee the birth of an absolutely healthy child, it only excludes some pathologies.. Its accuracy is approximately 99.4%. Therefore, every pregnant woman should consult a geneticist and only then make a final decision..

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