Amniocentesis or puncture of the fetal membrane
Amniocentesis is defined as the removal of a portion of Amniotic Fluid in the womb, an amniotic fluid that protects embryonic cells and chemicals produced by the fetus. This procedure is done either for the purpose of examination or treatment, which provides important information on fetal health.
How to perform amniocentesis
This procedure takes about forty-five minutes to complete, although amniotic fluid collection takes less than five minutes. A sample of amniotic fluid is taken with a needle, and ultrasound is used to determine the safe location of the needle. The amniotic sac, or the so-called amniotic sac. The sample is then analyzed in a laboratory. The result of the examination appears after a period of several days to a few weeks. This test is usually done 14 to 20 weeks of gestation and can be performed early in pregnancy using some medical equipment that allows for the 11 weeks of pregnancy. This may be done during the last three months of pregnancy if needed.
It is important to note that it is necessary to follow the pulse of the fetus after conducting amniocentesis using the ultrasound device by the doctor. The woman may feel uncomfortable in the pelvic area and some contractions after the procedure, and the woman should see the doctor if these contractions continue for more than a few hours, as the doctor should be examined when vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding, fever, redness or Inflammation of the insertion of the needle, abnormal movement of the fetus, or loss of movement.
Cases in which amniocentesis is performed
An amniocentesis is performed to identify defects, congenital problems and chromosomal problems such as Down Syndrome, Sickle Cell Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Muscular Dystrophy, , Neural Tube Defects, in which the brain or spinal growth is not completed properly, and other conditions. It is performed for pregnant women who have a high risk of genetic diseases, including:
- Non-systemic result of ultrasound examination or laboratory examination.
- A family history of congenital malformations.
- The presence of either a previous pregnancy or the birth of a previous child with a congenital defect.
Risks of amniocentesis and its complications
Of the risks and complications that are likely to occur after amniocentesis which should be reported to pregnant women before the following:
- Miscarriage: An abortion with amniocentesis may occur after the 15th week of pregnancy, ranging from 0.5% to 1%, and the likelihood of miscarriage may increase from this rate before the 15th week of pregnancy, but the cause of the miscarriage is unknown so far , It may be caused by inflammation, bleeding, or damage to the surrounding parenchyma. Abortion is associated with salivary thrombosis three days after it occurs, but in some cases it may occur within two weeks after the thrombosis.
- Damage caused by the needle: Placenta may be punctured by needle in some cases. In some cases, access to the salivary fluid may require penetration of the placenta, but most of the time the wound resulting from its penetration is buried without any complications or problems.
- Infection: The incidence of inflammation with amniocentesis may be associated with any surgical procedure, but the risk of severe inflammation with amniocentesis is less than 1 per 1,000 cases.
- Rhesus Disease: It is possible that there may be confusion between the mother’s blood and fetal blood during the process of amniocentesis. Therefore, in cases where the blood type of the mother is the negative of the rheizi factor, and the blood type of the child is the result of the rhezical factor. As a result of mixing the mother’s blood with fetal blood, the mother’s body may begin to produce antibodies to attack The child’s blood, leading to the occurrence of the child’s rheumatic disease.
- Club Foot: A condition of congenital deformation of the foot and ankle. It was found that the procedure of amniocentesis before the fifteenth week of pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of fetal foot injury, so it is not recommended to do before fifteen weeks of pregnancy.
Options provided by the amniocentesis procedure
The procedure of the examination is based on the personal desire of the couple. Some couples refuse to do it for many reasons, such as accepting the result and the satisfaction of it, and not having the choice of abortion for religious, moral or personal reasons. Some husbands may refrain from doing so because they do not want to do so. Exposure of the fetus to any risk or harm as a result of the examination. Although some do not want to perform the examination, the procedure of examination and diagnosis may provide a range of opportunities and options for the couple, including:
- Follow-up of possible medical procedures such as spina bifida surgery at the fetus.
- Start planning for a child with special needs.
- Start processing and preparing for the expected changes in the life system.
- Identify and identify sources and groups that provide support and assistance.