Pregnancy: Should I Have Amniocentesis?
Pregnancy: Should I Have Amniocentesis?Skip to the navigationYou may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Pregnancy: Should I Have Amniocentesis?Get the factsYour options- Have an amniocentesis test.
- Don't have amniocentesis.
Key points to remember- Your doctor may recommend amniocentesis if your chances of
having a baby with a genetic disorder 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.
- If the test shows that your baby may be born with a serious
problem, you and your partner can use the information to plan for the
future.
- Amniocentesis is usually very safe. But it does have some
risks, including a small chance of causing a
miscarriage.
FAQs
Amniocentesis is a test to look at the
amniotic fluid that surrounds your baby. This fluid
has cells and other substances in it that can give clues about your baby's
health. During the test, your doctor puts a needle through your
belly into your
uterus. He or she takes out about
2 Tbsp (30 mL) of amniotic
fluid to send to a lab. The cells in the fluid are checked to see if your baby
has any signs of a serious health problem. Amniocentesis is
usually done between weeks 15 and 20 of a woman's pregnancy to check for
certain health problems. It's not a routine test. But your doctor may recommend
it if a
fetal ultrasound and blood tests suggest that your
chances of having a baby with a
genetic disorder or a birth defect are higher than
average. Or you may already know that your chances are higher because of your
age and family history. Some women don't want to wait until their
second trimester to see if their baby might have a problem. They might decide
to have a chorionic villus sampling (CVS) test instead of amniocentesis. CVS
can be done between 10 and 13 weeks of pregnancy to look for Down syndrome and
other serious health problems. But it can't find certain problems, such as
birth defects of the heart, stomach,
intestines, or brain and spine (neural tube defect). Amniocentesis can tell you if your baby is at risk for: Even if the
results from your amniocentesis are normal, it doesn't guarantee that your baby
will be born healthy. For example, this test can't find many common birth
defects, such as
cleft lip,
cleft palate, and heart problems. No single test can
find all problems. This test can tell you if your baby may be born with a serious health
problem. Many parents are not prepared to care for a baby who is sick or has a
birth defect. Information that you get from this test can help you and your
partner plan for the future. If the test finds that your baby has
a genetic disorder or a birth defect, you and your partner may be faced with a
tough decision about whether to continue the pregnancy. You may find it helpful
to talk with your doctor and a
genetic counselor. They can help you understand your
baby's health problem and what to expect when he or she is born. Results from the test can also help you decide where to have your baby.
If your baby will need surgery or special care, you can plan to have your baby
in a hospital that has special services for newborns, such as a neonatal
intensive care unit. Amniocentesis is usually very safe. But the test does have some risks.
You'll have to weigh the risks against the benefits of knowing if something
might be wrong with your baby. There is a chance that the test may
cause you to have a
miscarriage. This means that you could lose your baby
after you have the test. But when the test is done by highly trained doctors,
the risk of having a miscarriage is small. - When amniocentesis
is performed by a highly trained doctor, the risk of miscarriage after the test is about 1 out of 900 women. This means it doesn't lead to a miscarriage 899 out
of 900 times.footnote 1
Other risks include: - Infection. There is a
very small chance that the amniotic fluid may get infected.footnote 2
- Injury. There is a chance
that your baby may be poked by the needle during the test. But this is rare
when ultrasound is used to guide the needle. The most common injury is a tear
in the
placenta. This usually heals without a
problem.
- Bleeding. There is a small chance
that you could bleed during the test. If this happens, your blood may mix with
your baby's blood. This is only a problem if your blood is Rh-negative and your
baby's is Rh-positive, because you could have an immune system response called
Rh sensitization. If you're at risk for Rh
sensitization, you'll be given a vaccine to prevent it.
- Foot defect. There is an increased risk that your baby may be born with a
clubfoot when amniocentesis is done before 15 weeks of
pregnancy.
All patient decisions are personal. You might
think about: - Your chance of passing on a family disease to
your baby.
- Your age. As you get older, you have a greater chance of
having a baby with a birth defect.
- Your need to know about any problems with your
baby.
- What you might do if the test shows a
problem.
- Whether you can afford to pay for the test. Amniocentesis
can cost a lot. Most insurance companies will cover the cost of the test if you
have certain risk factors that may increase your baby's chance of having a
serious health problem. A risk factor is something-such as your age or family
history-that raises your risk of having a certain health problem.
Your doctor may advise you to have amniocentesis if: - Other tests suggest that your chance of
having a baby with a genetic disorder or birth defect is higher than
average.
- You or your partner has a family history of birth
defects.
- You or your partner carries an abnormal gene that is known
to cause a certain disease.
- You want to know if your baby has a serious health problem so
you can decide early whether you want to continue your pregnancy or make plans
to care for a sick child.
Compare your options | |
|---|
What is usually involved? |
| |
|---|
What are the benefits? |
| |
|---|
What are the risks and side effects? |
| |
|---|
Have amniocentesis
Have amniocentesis
- You lie on your back while
your doctor puts a long needle into your belly.
- You may feel some
discomfort, but the test only takes a few minutes.
- You go home
after the test.
- You find out early in your
pregnancy if your baby has a genetic disorder or birth
defect.
- Information from the test can help you to:
- Decide if you want to continue your
pregnancy.
- Make plans to care for a baby who is sick or has a birth
defect.
- Choose a hospital that specializes in caring for newborns
with serious health problems.
- Possible risks
include:
- A
miscarriage.
- An infection.
- A
needle injury to your baby.
- Bleeding.
- A foot
defect.
Don't have amniocentesis
Don't have amniocentesis
- You have regular
prenatal exams and blood tests to check for any signs of problems.
- You avoid the cost of
amniocentesis.
- You avoid the risks of having amniocentesis.
- You won't
know if your baby has a severe birth defect until after he or she is
born.
- Birth could be harder on you or your baby if the doctor doesn't know
ahead of time that there is a problem.
I have a
friend whose child was born with Down syndrome. She didn't know about her
baby's Down syndrome until after he was born, and it was emotionally difficult
for her to deal with the diagnosis. I remember how hard it was for her and her
family to adjust to a new life with a special-needs child. I want to know
before giving birth if I am going to have a child with a disability. This will
give me time to prepare emotionally as well as time to prepare to have my baby
at a hospital that is equipped to care for sick babies. I am
prepared to accept my child, regardless of whether he or she has a birth
defect, even a severe birth defect. Even though I am at a higher risk of having
a child with a birth defect because of my age, I will continue the pregnancy
regardless of the results of an amniocentesis. My doctor and hospital are well
equipped to handle my pregnancy and delivery, so I feel that I have made the
best decision for my family and me. I have no
family history of birth defects. But I am 42 years old, which puts me at
higher risk for having a baby with a birth defect. I have two children already,
and I feel that my time, energy, and financial resources are at a premium. I
can't afford, financially or emotionally, to have a child with a serious birth
defect. I am choosing to have an amniocentesis to help detect a birth defect.
If the results are abnormal, I feel it is in my best interest (and my family's)
to end this pregnancy. I was 35 when I became pregnant with my
first child. I was nervous about pregnancy anyway and especially worried that
there might be something wrong with the baby. I decided to have chorionic
villus sampling instead of waiting for an amniocentesis because it allowed me
to find out in the first trimester if the baby had genetic problems. If the
answer had been yes, I would have terminated the pregnancy. In my case, the
answer was negative, and I was able to go through the rest of my pregnancy
feeling more at ease. What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to have amniocentesis Reasons not to have amniocentesis I'm worried that something might be wrong with my baby. I'm not worried that something might be wrong with my baby. More important Equally important More important I want to know if my baby has a birth defect so I have time to prepare to care for a child with special needs. Knowing that my baby has a birth defect won't change the way I plan to care for my child. More important Equally important More important I want to know if my baby has a birth defect so I have time to decide if I want to continue my pregnancy. Knowing that my baby has a birth defect won't change my plans to carry my baby to term. More important Equally important More important I'm not afraid of the needle that is used to do the test. I don't like needles. More important Equally important More important I'm not worried about how much the test costs. I don't have insurance, and I can't afford to pay for the test myself. More important Equally important More important My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Having amniocentesis NOT having amniocentesis Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward What else do you need to make your decision?1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure Your SummaryHere's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Next stepsWhich way you're leaningHow sure you areYour commentsKey concepts that you understoodKey concepts that may need reviewCredits | Author | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Elizabeth T. Russo, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
|---|
References Citations - Akolekar R, et al. (2015). Procedure-related
risk of miscarriage following amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling: a
systematic review and meta-analysis. Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology,
45(1): 16-26. DOI: 10.1002/uog.14636. Accessed April 5, 2017.
- Cunningham FG, et al. (2010). Prenatal diagnosis and fetal therapy. In Williams Obstetrics, 23rd ed., pp. 287-311. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical.
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Pregnancy: Should I Have Amniocentesis?Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. - Get the facts
- Compare your options
- What matters most to you?
- Where are you leaning now?
- What else do you need to make your decision?
1. Get the FactsYour options- Have an amniocentesis test.
- Don't have amniocentesis.
Key points to remember- Your doctor may recommend amniocentesis if your chances of
having a baby with a genetic disorder 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.
- If the test shows that your baby may be born with a serious
problem, you and your partner can use the information to plan for the
future.
- Amniocentesis is usually very safe. But it does have some
risks, including a small chance of causing a
miscarriage.
FAQs What is amniocentesis?
Amniocentesis is a test to look at the
amniotic fluid that surrounds your baby. This fluid
has cells and other substances in it that can give clues about your baby's
health. During the test, your doctor puts a needle through your
belly into your
uterus. He or she takes out about
2 Tbsp (30 mL) of amniotic
fluid to send to a lab. The cells in the fluid are checked to see if your baby
has any signs of a serious health problem. When is amniocentesis done?Amniocentesis is
usually done between weeks 15 and 20 of a woman's pregnancy to check for
certain health problems. It's not a routine test. But your doctor may recommend
it if a
fetal ultrasound and blood tests suggest that your
chances of having a baby with a
genetic disorder or a birth defect are higher than
average. Or you may already know that your chances are higher because of your
age and family history. Some women don't want to wait until their
second trimester to see if their baby might have a problem. They might decide
to have a chorionic villus sampling (CVS) test instead of amniocentesis. CVS
can be done between 10 and 13 weeks of pregnancy to look for Down syndrome and
other serious health problems. But it can't find certain problems, such as
birth defects of the heart, stomach,
intestines, or brain and spine (neural tube defect). What information can amniocentesis provide?Amniocentesis can tell you if your baby is at risk for: Even if the
results from your amniocentesis are normal, it doesn't guarantee that your baby
will be born healthy. For example, this test can't find many common birth
defects, such as
cleft lip,
cleft palate, and heart problems. No single test can
find all problems. What are the benefits of having amniocentesis?This test can tell you if your baby may be born with a serious health
problem. Many parents are not prepared to care for a baby who is sick or has a
birth defect. Information that you get from this test can help you and your
partner plan for the future. If the test finds that your baby has
a genetic disorder or a birth defect, you and your partner may be faced with a
tough decision about whether to continue the pregnancy. You may find it helpful
to talk with your doctor and a
genetic counselor. They can help you understand your
baby's health problem and what to expect when he or she is born. Results from the test can also help you decide where to have your baby.
If your baby will need surgery or special care, you can plan to have your baby
in a hospital that has special services for newborns, such as a neonatal
intensive care unit. What are the risks of having amniocentesis?Amniocentesis is usually very safe. But the test does have some risks.
You'll have to weigh the risks against the benefits of knowing if something
might be wrong with your baby. There is a chance that the test may
cause you to have a
miscarriage. This means that you could lose your baby
after you have the test. But when the test is done by highly trained doctors,
the risk of having a miscarriage is small. - When amniocentesis
is performed by a highly trained doctor, the risk of miscarriage after the test is about 1 out of 900 women. This means it doesn't lead to a miscarriage 899 out
of 900 times.1
Other risks include: - Infection. There is a
very small chance that the amniotic fluid may get infected.2
- Injury. There is a chance
that your baby may be poked by the needle during the test. But this is rare
when ultrasound is used to guide the needle. The most common injury is a tear
in the
placenta. This usually heals without a
problem.
- Bleeding. There is a small chance
that you could bleed during the test. If this happens, your blood may mix with
your baby's blood. This is only a problem if your blood is Rh-negative and your
baby's is Rh-positive, because you could have an immune system response called
Rh sensitization. If you're at risk for Rh
sensitization, you'll be given a vaccine to prevent it.
- Foot defect. There is an increased risk that your baby may be born with a
clubfoot when amniocentesis is done before 15 weeks of
pregnancy.
What should you think about before you have amniocentesis?All patient decisions are personal. You might
think about: - Your chance of passing on a family disease to
your baby.
- Your age. As you get older, you have a greater chance of
having a baby with a birth defect.
- Your need to know about any problems with your
baby.
- What you might do if the test shows a
problem.
- Whether you can afford to pay for the test. Amniocentesis
can cost a lot. Most insurance companies will cover the cost of the test if you
have certain risk factors that may increase your baby's chance of having a
serious health problem. A risk factor is something-such as your age or family
history-that raises your risk of having a certain health problem.
Why might your doctor recommend amniocentesis?Your doctor may advise you to have amniocentesis if: - Other tests suggest that your chance of
having a baby with a genetic disorder or birth defect is higher than
average.
- You or your partner has a family history of birth
defects.
- You or your partner carries an abnormal gene that is known
to cause a certain disease.
- You want to know if your baby has a serious health problem so
you can decide early whether you want to continue your pregnancy or make plans
to care for a sick child.
2. Compare your options| | Have amniocentesis
| Don't have amniocentesis
|
|---|
| What is usually involved? | - You lie on your back while
your doctor puts a long needle into your belly.
- You may feel some
discomfort, but the test only takes a few minutes.
- You go home
after the test.
| - You have regular
prenatal exams and blood tests to check for any signs of problems.
|
|---|
| What are the benefits? | - You find out early in your
pregnancy if your baby has a genetic disorder or birth
defect.
- Information from the test can help you to:
- Decide if you want to continue your
pregnancy.
- Make plans to care for a baby who is sick or has a birth
defect.
- Choose a hospital that specializes in caring for newborns
with serious health problems.
| - You avoid the cost of
amniocentesis.
- You avoid the risks of having amniocentesis.
|
|---|
| What are the risks and side effects? | - Possible risks
include:
- A
miscarriage.
- An infection.
- A
needle injury to your baby.
- Bleeding.
- A foot
defect.
| - You won't
know if your baby has a severe birth defect until after he or she is
born.
- Birth could be harder on you or your baby if the doctor doesn't know
ahead of time that there is a problem.
|
|---|
Personal storiesPersonal stories about considering amniocentesis
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"I have a friend whose child was born with Down syndrome. She didn't know about her baby's Down syndrome until after he was born, and it was emotionally difficult for her to deal with the diagnosis. I remember how hard it was for her and her family to adjust to a new life with a special-needs child. I want to know before giving birth if I am going to have a child with a disability. This will give me time to prepare emotionally as well as time to prepare to have my baby at a hospital that is equipped to care for sick babies." "I am prepared to accept my child, regardless of whether he or she has a birth defect, even a severe birth defect. Even though I am at a higher risk of having a child with a birth defect because of my age, I will continue the pregnancy regardless of the results of an amniocentesis. My doctor and hospital are well equipped to handle my pregnancy and delivery, so I feel that I have made the best decision for my family and me." "I have no family history of birth defects. But I am 42 years old, which puts me at higher risk for having a baby with a birth defect. I have two children already, and I feel that my time, energy, and financial resources are at a premium. I can't afford, financially or emotionally, to have a child with a serious birth defect. I am choosing to have an amniocentesis to help detect a birth defect. If the results are abnormal, I feel it is in my best interest (and my family's) to end this pregnancy." "I was 35 when I became pregnant with my first child. I was nervous about pregnancy anyway and especially worried that there might be something wrong with the baby. I decided to have chorionic villus sampling instead of waiting for an amniocentesis because it allowed me to find out in the first trimester if the baby had genetic problems. If the answer had been yes, I would have terminated the pregnancy. In my case, the answer was negative, and I was able to go through the rest of my pregnancy feeling more at ease." 3. What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to have amniocentesis Reasons not to have amniocentesis I'm worried that something might be wrong with my baby. I'm not worried that something might be wrong with my baby. More important Equally important More important I want to know if my baby has a birth defect so I have time to prepare to care for a child with special needs. Knowing that my baby has a birth defect won't change the way I plan to care for my child. More important Equally important More important I want to know if my baby has a birth defect so I have time to decide if I want to continue my pregnancy. Knowing that my baby has a birth defect won't change my plans to carry my baby to term. More important Equally important More important I'm not afraid of the needle that is used to do the test. I don't like needles. More important Equally important More important I'm not worried about how much the test costs. I don't have insurance, and I can't afford to pay for the test myself. More important Equally important More important My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important 4. Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Having amniocentesis NOT having amniocentesis Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward 5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
1.
Can an amniocentesis test guarantee that your baby will be born healthy? That's right. Even though amniocentesis can detect certain problems, it can't guarantee that your baby will be born healthy. No test can do that. 2.
Does amniocentesis have some risks? That's right. Amniocentesis is usually very safe. But it does have some risks, including a small chance of causing a miscarriage. 3.
Should all pregnant women have amniocentesis? That's right. Your doctor may recommend amniocentesis if your chances of having a baby with a genetic disorder or birth defect are higher than average. Decide what's next1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? Certainty1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Credits | By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Elizabeth T. Russo, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
|---|
References Citations - Akolekar R, et al. (2015). Procedure-related
risk of miscarriage following amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling: a
systematic review and meta-analysis. Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology,
45(1): 16-26. DOI: 10.1002/uog.14636. Accessed April 5, 2017.
- Cunningham FG, et al. (2010). Prenatal diagnosis and fetal therapy. In Williams Obstetrics, 23rd ed., pp. 287-311. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.Current as of:
June 8, 2017 Akolekar R, et al. (2015). Procedure-related
risk of miscarriage following amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling: a
systematic review and meta-analysis. Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology,
45(1): 16-26. DOI: 10.1002/uog.14636. Accessed April 5, 2017. Cunningham FG, et al. (2010). Prenatal diagnosis and fetal therapy. In Williams Obstetrics, 23rd ed., pp. 287-311. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical. Last modified on: 8 September 2017
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