OB/GYN North Dallas

OBGYN Associates North Dallas
search ONLINE BILL PAY PATIENT PORTAL PATIENT RESOURCES
Call Today: (972) 981-7777
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Meet our Providers
  • Services
    • Gynecological Care
    • Obstetrical Care
    • Aesthetics
    • Mammograms
    • Vaginal Rejuvenation
  • Contact & Location

Amniocentesis

Back to Patient Education
  • Introduction
  • Treatment

Introduction

An amniocentesis is a diagnostic procedure that may be used during pregnancy.  The test is used to confirm the findings of other assessments or to detect chromosomal, neural, or inherited disorders in a developing fetus.  It may be taken in the last trimester to evaluate the lungs of the fetus.  An amniocentesis involves obtaining and examining a sample of the amniotic fluid from within the sac surrounding the fetus.  An amniocentesis is usually performed after the 16th week of pregnancy.
 
An amniocentesis may be recommended for pregnant women over the age of 35.  Amniocentesis can detect Down’s Syndrome, which is more common in mothers age 35 and older.  It may be recommended for couples that already have one child with Down’s Syndrome, Hunter’s Syndrome, or a neural tube defect, such as Spina Bifida.  It may be recommended if both parents are carriers of an autosomal inherited disorder, such as Tay-Sachs disease, sickle-cell anemia, or Huntington’s chorea.
 
There is a slight risk of injuring the fetus or miscarriage as the result of amniocentesis.  The decision to have an amniocentesis is a personal one.  Some women choose not to have the procedure, and for others, the results are reassuring or helpful for future plans.  There may be alternative tests to amniocentesis, and you should discuss those with your doctor.
Back to top

Treatment

An amniocentesis is an outpatient procedure.  An ultrasound is used to guide the procedure.  Your abdomen will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution.  The procedure may or may not be performed with an anesthetic.  You may feel a sharp pain for a few seconds when the needle enters the amniotic sac.  Your doctor will withdraw a small amount of amniotic fluid and remove the needle. 
 
You may experience mild cramps during the first few hours following your procedure.  Rarely, slight vaginal bleeding or amniotic fluid leakage occurs.  Your vital signs and your fetus’s heart tones are checked before and after the procedure.
It may take a few weeks for your test to be processed.  You have the option of being told the baby’s sex or not.  Your doctor will discuss the results with you when they are received.
Back to top

Copyright ©  - iHealthSpot Interactive - www.iHealthSpot.com

This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.

The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.

Footer

Gynecological Care

 

Annual check-ups are essential to your health. Regular well exams help to detect problems early, giving you the best outcome. Our doctors can answer all your questions and know how to handle your most intimate health problems, including discomfort, infection, and pain.

 

 LEARN MORE

Obstetrical Care

 

Congratulations, you’re having a baby! Give him or her the best start by seeing your obstetrician for regular prenatal care. Our doctors have delivered thousands of healthy Texas babies. You can rely on us to thoughtfully care for you during your pregnancy and deliver the baby most important to you – yours!

 

 LEARN MORE

Patient Resources

Visit our Patient Resources for links to patient forms and helpful information about women’s health.

 LEARN MORE

Woman's Health Education

Our Women’s Health Library is loaded with information you can use today, including summaries of dozens of common conditions and treatments.

 LEARN MORE

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Meet our Providers
  • Services
    • Gynecological Care
    • Obstetrical Care
    • Aesthetics
    • Mammograms
    • Vaginal Rejuvenation
  • Contact & Location
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Womens Health Education

6124 West Parker Road, Suite 134
Plano, Texas 75093
Phone: (972) 981-7777

Copyright © OB-GYN Associates of North Dallas. All Rights Reserved.

iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

At OB-GYN North Dallas all of our doctors are board certified and highly experienced in all aspects of obstetrics and gynecology including: Gynecological Care, Obstetrical Care,Mammograms, 3D mammography