noun
definition
Amniocentesis
Examples of amnio in a Sentence
Amniocentesis, often called amnio, is recommended for women who will be older than 35 on their due-date.
Thirty-five is the recommended age to begin amnio testing because that is the age at which the risk of carrying a fetus with such a defect roughly equals the risk of miscarriage caused by the procedure-about one in 200.
Because this test has a high false-positive rate, another test such as amnio is recommended whenever the AFP levels fall outside the normal range.
It is possible to perform an amnio as early as the 11th week, but this is not usually recommended because there appears to be an increased risk of miscarriage when done at this time.
The advantage of early amnio and speedy results lies in the extra time for decision making if a problem is detected.
As an invasive surgical procedure, amnio poses a real, although small, risk to the health of a fetus.
The decision to undergo amnio is always a matter of personal choice.
An alternative to amnio, now in general use, is chorionic villus sampling, or CVS, which can be performed as early as the eighth week of pregnancy.
The patient should feel free to ask questions and seek emotional support before, during and after the amnio is performed.
A successful amnio sampling results in no long-term side effects.
While spotting in pregnancy is fairly common, bleeding following amnio should always be investigated.
A very slight risk of injury to the fetus resulting from contact with the amnio needle does exist.
Miscarriage. The rate of miscarriage occurring during standard, second trimester amnio appears to be approximately 0.5%.
Negative results from an amnio analysis indicate that everything about the fetus appears normal and the pregnancy can continue without undue concern.
Positive results on an amnio analysis indicate the presence of the fetal defect being tested for, with an accuracy approaching 100%.
The information provided by the amnio enables parents to make a decision regarding the need to terminate the pregnancy if it is believed that significant deformity is likely.
Amniocentesis, also known as an amnio, is one of several tests that your doctor may recommend during your pregnancy.
During an amnio, the pregnant mother lays on an exam table while an ultrasound is performed to determine the baby's location.
An amnio can provide more information about whether these issues are part of a larger disorder.
Sometimes, an amnio will be performed toward the end of the pregnancy to determine the maturity of the baby's lungs.
The earlier the amnio occurs, the higher the risk.
Cramps. Some mild to moderate cramping in the hours after an amnio is not uncommon.
Combined with the results of other tests, an amnio can give you a good idea of any chromosomal health problems your child could be born with.
Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and spina bifida are some of the most common abnormalities that an amnio can detect.
An amnio is performed by a trained physician who inserts a long needle in the abdomen and draws out some of the amniotic fluid that fills the sac.
In rare cases, a miscarriage can occur as a result of the amnio, so you should consider how important the results are to you before having one.
For many expectant women, an amnio will confirm that there are no obvious health issues to worry about.
This is a very difficult decision to make, especially if the amnio was performed in the second trimester and you were looking forward to having a baby.
Sometimes an amnio is performed because of problems with the mother's health.