What Is Amniocentesis?

Amniocentesis is another type of prenatal test in which a sample of amniotic fluid is removed from the uterus. Amniotic fluid is the watery fluid that surrounds and protects a baby throughout gestation. The amniotic fluid contains various fetal cells.

Why and when is amniocentesis done?

Amniocentesis is done for a variety of reasons, including:

• Genetic testing
• Fetal lung testing
• Diagnosis of fetal infection
• Treatment of excess amniotic fluid
• Paternity testing

Amniocentesis is typically performed after 16 weeks of gestation.

Read more about Prenatal Test

• What Is Chorionic Villous Sampling (CVS)?
• What Are the Risks of CVS/Amniocentesis?
• What to Expect During CVS/Amniocentesis?