Amniocentesis
The risks of having an Amniocentesis Women around the world have used amniocentesis for over a hundred years
(Woo, 2006). Along with the many benefits of amniocentesis, there are still many risks
Involved with the procedure. The mother has to decide between knowing with certainty of
her unborn child's diagnosis versus the risk of permanent damage or even the death of her
fetus. Amniocentesis negatively affects both the mother and the fetus.
Amniocentesis is a prenatal test that allows parents to gather information about
[their] baby's health and development. Amniocentesis will allow doctors to diagnose and
perhaps even treat any genetic abnormalities that the test might reveal. The test is
Performed by taking a sample of the mother's amniotic fluid which is the clear, pale,
yellow fluid that surrounds and protects the baby (Baby Center: "Amniocentesis", 2005).
The first reported case of amniocentesis was in 1877 by Prochownick, Von Schatz
and Lambl. That particular procedure was Tran abdominal amniocentesis and performed
during the third trimester of pregnancy. Fuchs and Riis reported the first use of amniotic
fluid examination in diagnosis of genetic disorders in 1956. "They determined fetal sex
cells in amniotic fluid based on the presence or absence of the Barr body" (Woo, 2006
para 3). The ultrasound was used in assisting amniocentesis in 1972 and was primarily
pioneered by Jens Bang and Allen Northeved. Even with the technological advances
made through out the years, the fatality rate of amniocentesis during the early stages of
pregnancy was 2.3%, and therefore it was not a generally accepted practice (Woo, 2006).
At the beginning of the procedure, the mother is positioned flat on an examination
table and the area where the needle will be inserted is sterilized with either rubbing
Alcohol or an iodine solution. While local anesthetic is an option, many women choose
(Woo, 2006). Along with the many benefits of amniocentesis, there are still many risks
Involved with the procedure. The mother has to decide between knowing with certainty of
her unborn child's diagnosis versus the risk of permanent damage or even the death of her
fetus. Amniocentesis negatively affects both the mother and the fetus.
Amniocentesis is a prenatal test that allows parents to gather information about
[their] baby's health and development. Amniocentesis will allow doctors to diagnose and
perhaps even treat any genetic abnormalities that the test might reveal. The test is
Performed by taking a sample of the mother's amniotic fluid which is the clear, pale,
yellow fluid that surrounds and protects the baby (Baby Center: "Amniocentesis", 2005).
The first reported case of amniocentesis was in 1877 by Prochownick, Von Schatz
and Lambl. That particular procedure was Tran abdominal amniocentesis and performed
during the third trimester of pregnancy. Fuchs and Riis reported the first use of amniotic
fluid examination in diagnosis of genetic disorders in 1956. "They determined fetal sex
cells in amniotic fluid based on the presence or absence of the Barr body" (Woo, 2006
para 3). The ultrasound was used in assisting amniocentesis in 1972 and was primarily
pioneered by Jens Bang and Allen Northeved. Even with the technological advances
made through out the years, the fatality rate of amniocentesis during the early stages of
pregnancy was 2.3%, and therefore it was not a generally accepted practice (Woo, 2006).
At the beginning of the procedure, the mother is positioned flat on an examination
table and the area where the needle will be inserted is sterilized with either rubbing
Alcohol or an iodine solution. While local anesthetic is an option, many women choose