What to Know About Amniocentesis and Chorionic Villus Sampling

Would you like to know if the baby in your uterus ispregnancy. Using an ultrasound as a guide, the health
healthy? If you are like most women, your answercare
will be "yes."As you may already know, there areprovider inserts a long needle into the abdomen of
numerous teststhe
that can be done during pregnancy to check formother and draws out a small amount of amniotic
abnormalities. Amniocentesis and Chorionic Villusfluid.This test is more than 99% accurate in
Samplingdiagnosing
are two of these tests, whose main purpose is tochromosomal disorders like Down syndrome and
diagnose genetic or chromosomal defects, but canEdward's syndrome. Unfortunately, there is a small
alsorisk of
provide other valuable information, such as paternitymiscarriage of about 0.5%-1% (1 or 2 cases out of
results.These two tests are used for mothers who200).Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)Chorionic Villus
are at risk forSampling is normally performed in the
carrying a fetus with a congenital birth defect. Thisfirst trimester, between the 10th and 12th week of
includes women over 35, women with a history ofpregnancy. Using an ultrasound as a guide, the health
miscarriages or birth defects, and women with acare
family historyprovider inserts a long, thin tube into the vagina and
of genetic disease.You may have never heard ofthrough the cervix and removes a small amount of
amniocentesis orchorionic villus from the outside of the sac where
chorionich villus sampling, or you may only have athe
generalbaby develops. Unfortunately, this procedure has a
idea of what's involved. Hopefully this informationslightly higher risk of miscarriage than amniocentesis
canof
help you to be prepared and comfortable if theabout 1%-3% (1-3 cases out of 100).Susan Tanner is
needa wife and mother of three. She is also the editor of
should arise for you to have either of these testsPregnancy-Guide is an online community for mothers
done.AmniocentesisAmniocentesis is normallyto find support and valuable information. Please visit
performed in the secondPregnancy-Guide for valuable pregnancy information.
trimester, between the 15th and the 18th week of