• A+
• A+
• A+

Adjust font size

GuideWisdom™

This WisdomCard managed by: Tara Salamone

Amniocentesis is a procedure that analyzes the liquid (amniotic fluid) around the baby (fetus). This fluid contains cells and other substances that can be tested for various defects such as down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, or neural tube defects. Amniocentesis is done by inserting a needle through the abdomen into the uterus. It is normally done between the 15th and 18th week of pregnancy.

5 Great Resources on Amniocentesis

• Babycenter: Amniocentesis
• Cleveland Clinic (via WebMD): Amniocentesis
• Mayo Clinic: Amniocentesis: Answers to Common Questions
• March of Dimes: Amniocentesis
• American Pregnancy Association: Amniocentesis

What is Amniocentesis?

• Babycenter: What is Amniocentesis?
• A.D.A.M. (via MedlinePlus): Definition
• Wikipedia: Amniocentesis
• Healthwise (via Yahoo Health): Amniocentesis
• MedicineNet: Amniocentises

What Are The Uses for Amniocentesis?

• Babycenter: What Disorders and Defects Can Amniocentesis Detect?
• A.D.A.M. (via MedlinePlus): Why The Test is Performed
• MedicineNet: What Does Amniocentesis Show?
• Harvard Medical School: Amniocentesis Use

What Are The Side Effects, Interactions and Precautions for Amniocentesis?

• Babycenter: What is The Risk of Miscarriage From Amniocentesis?
• Cleveland Clinic (via WebMD): Risks
• A.D.A.M. (via MedlinePlus): Risks | Considerations
• Wikipedia: Risks
• MedicineNet: Is Amniocentesis Safe?

What are the Alternatives to Amniocentesis?

• Babycenter: If I Choose Diagnostic Testing, How Do I Decide Between Amnio and CVS?
• American Academy of Family Physicians: Prenatal Diagnosis: Amniocentesis and CVS
• Wikipedia: Chorionic Villus Sampling
• Harvard Medical School: Chorionic Villus Sampling

Wisdom, Personal Experiences and Blogs about Amniocentesis

• ePregnancy (Video): Amniocentesis: Risk and Reward
• Time: Amniocentesis Testing Safer Than Previously Though
• Families: Prenatal Testing: Amniocentesis
• Health Freak Mommy: Amniocentesis Experience
• A Mother's Place is in the Wrong: Precious Children

Clinical Trials for Amniocentesis

• CenterWatch: Amniocentesis Clinical Trial Search Results
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Amniocentesis Clinical Trials and Human Research Studies

Message Boards, Chat and Discussions about Amniocentesis

• SmartParenthood: Amniocentesis Posts
• Healthboards: Amniocentesis Posts
• MedHelp: Amniocentesis Posts
• iVillage: Amniocentesis Boards

Controversy and Lawsuits about Amniocentesis

• Garrett's Story: The Cost Of Perfection
• You Can Get Pregnant in Your 40's: Baby Scans: Do We Need Them?

Scientific and Medical Journal Articles on Amniocentesis

• JAMA: Amniocentesis Articles
• PubMed Central: Amniocentesis Articles
• Google Scholar: Amniocentesis Articles

Related WisdomCards

• Chorionic Villus Sampling
• Pregnancy
• Downs Syndrome
• Miscarriage
• Pregnancy Nutrition
• Birth Defects
• Cystic Fibrosis

User Recommended Links for Amniocentesis

Are we missing any great links? Please Login or Register to be the first to add to this list of recommended links to help others and improve this WisdomCard.