In simple terms, amniocentesis is a method to remove a small sample of amniotic fluid. It is safe between the 15th and 20th weeks of pregnancy. When a woman gets pregnant, there could be several diseases, including types of infections and genetic disorders. This procedure helps in identifying those diseases by closely examining the amniotic fluid. There is no need for local anaesthesia during amniocentesis. However, there are some risks involved in amniocentesis.

The amniotic fluid surrounds the foetus inside the mother’s womb. This fluid consists of the fetus cells, which helps determine the disorder or the sex of the baby. This fluid is also responsible for protecting the foetus from outside factors and helps in regulating the inside temperature. Hence, we can say amniotic fluid plays a significant role in the baby’s well-being before their birth. 

Why is amniocentesis performed? 

There are several reasons why amniocentesis can be performed on a pregnant lady, including:

• To check if the baby’s karyotype or a chromosome is normal or not
• In case there are any signs of the defect in the neural tube
• To check if the baby is suffering from any infection
• To check if the baby’s lungs are ready to start breathing 

Procedure of amniocentesis

There is a well-defined procedure that doctors follow while performing amniocentesis. It is as follows:

• The patient is asked to comfortably settle themselves on the patient’s table and place one of their hands on the back of the head. 
• The heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing are monitored using the equipment. 
• To closely monitor the baby’s heart rate, an ultrasound is performed. 
• The position of the foetus, placenta, amniotic fluid, and the umbilical cord is also checked during the ultrasound.
• Later, the abdomen is cleansed using a disinfectant, and anaesthesia is injected. 
• A long, hollow, and thin needle is placed in the uterus to collect the amniotic fluid. 
• This fluid is stored in a light-protected container.
• Once the fluid is out, it is sent to the lab for future examination. 
• In the lab, free-floating foetal cells, taken from the fluid by amniocentesis, are separated and cultured. Once the cultured cells have grown, which generally takes a few weeks, the chromosomes are put under a microscope to detect genetic abnormalities, foetal infections, biochemical and neural tube defects, etc. 

The risks involved in amniocentesis

Several risks are involved in the entire amniocentesis procedure. These are as follows: 

• Leaking of amniotic fluid from the vagina
• Miscarriages 
• Internal injuries 
• Preterm labour
• Cramping
• Risk of injuries 

Since the procedure is performed under ultrasound guidance, the risk of getting injured by a needle is low. 

Risk of Miscarriages

Although the risk of miscarriages exists while performing the amniocentesis, the number has come down significantly. One of the common reasons why miscarriages happen during amniocentesis is the bleeding faced by the baby in case the baby’s vessel gets cut. However, this condition is infrequent. Other reasons for miscarriages include rupture of the membranes, infectious diseases, and spontaneous labour. To prevent these conditions, it is essential to clean the skin gently.

Causes of miscarriages

Several causes can be responsible for pregnancy loss. Some of the causes are as follows:

• Chromosomal problems are the most probable cause of miscarriage. 
• Use of drugs 
• Hormonal problems
• Overweight or underweight
• Regular drinking and smoking
• Incompetent cervix
• Severe kidney diseases
• Chronic diseases such as diabetes
• High levels of radiation or toxic agents
• Improper implantation of a fertilised egg in the uterine lining
• Severe malnutrition
• Clotting disorder
• Maternal age
• Thyroid problems 
• Infection

Care after the amniocentesis

Although there are almost no complications when the amniocentesis is performed, it’s always a good idea to be on the safer side. To prevent any complications, follow the given precautions:

• Do not join aerobic classes. 
• No lifting groceries or kids 
• No strenuous activities 
• No intercourse 
• No jogging 

After the amniocentesis procedure, one can get back to their routine schedule within a day. If anything like cramps, fluid leakage, bleeding, fever, or chills continues, it is recommended to consult the doctor. 

Conclusion 

Till now, we studied amniocentesis in detail. It includes the amniocentesis definition, classification of amniocentesis, its procedure, and the risks involved. It is a medical procedure performed on pregnant women to diagnose foetus infections, chromosomal abnormalities, or sex determination. We also saw that there are several disadvantages of amniocentesis. But if not misused for sex determination but only for detecting health risks in pregnant women, and if all precautions are followed by women going for this procedure, it is well worth the risk.