Amniocentesis is one of the prenatal treatment that many families experience during the second trimester of the pregnancy. The test is perform by removing a small amount of fluid from the womb by inserting a long thin needle through the belly. The test is conducted in search of birth defects and genetic disorder in the developing baby (Gross, 2011). However, this test is gear towards women who are 35 or older, have had other pregnancy with birth disorder, or there is a family history with genetic disorder (Gross, 2011).
The benefits of having this test done early in the pregnancy allows the parents to become aware of any birth defects detected in the baby, as well as give them the option to decide if they want to continue with the pregnancy, or terminate it.
In addition, Amniocentesis is 99% accurate in the detection of the Down syndrome disorder. It can also, detect other metabolic disorders, like trisomy 18, and other ailments that are passed down through the family (Gross, 2011).
While this test can be beneficial, it also …show more content…
There are several prenatal treatment available for couples and families to choose from. Like all other test, this particular test has a low risk that the baby may get injure, or get an infection. Also, the mother may have a miscarriage, or vaginal bleeding, among other disorder. Therefore, parents undergoing any prenatal treatment is highly encourage to seek genetic counseling to gain knowledge on what to expect for the treatment they are seeking to have