 |
Amniocentesis Test |
|
 |
Just what is the amniocentesis test and how it can help us diagnose
certain conditions during your pregnancy?
|
Who should consider prenatal
testing and genetic counseling?
|
You are pregnant and will be 35 years of age or
older on your due date.
You are pregnant with an abnormal expanded AFP
blood test.
(Quad Test)
You have had an ultrasound of your fetus showing
a possible birth defect.
You have already had a child or close
relative with a birth defect or genetic disease.
You and your partner are carriers of a
recessively inherited disease such as Tay-Sachs, sickle cell anemia,
cystic fibrosis or thalassemia.
You are a carrier of an X linked disease such as
Fragile X, hemophilia or muscular dystrophy.
You and your partner are closely related to each
other (such as first cousins).
You have been exposed to medications, X-rays or
other agents during your pregnancy that may be harmful to the
developing fetus.
To fill out our online assessment form
click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
Routine 20-22 Week Ultrasound & Examination |
Also
known as the 22 week ultrasound
 |
The Routine 20-22 Week Ultrasound &
Examination
In the state of Virginia a routine ultrasound
examination is offered to most patients between 20 and 22 weeks, and is loosely referred to as the "22 week ultrasound". The purpose
of this examination is to:
-
To
determine the viability of the pregnancy.
-
To
determine the number of gestational sacs ie. singleton, twins ,
triplets and higher multiples.
-
To
determine the gestational age of the pregnancy. Several
measurements are taken of the baby including the head size, the
abdominal circumference and the femur and humerus lengths.
-
Examine the baby for ultrasound findings suggestive of chromosomal
abnormalities. For Down Syndrome such findings include absence of the nasal bone,
thickened skin on the back of the neck, calcifications
within the heart, dilation of the kidneys, abnormally bright
bowel, and short arms and legs, Heart Defects and Upper Intestinal
Obstruction..
-
To assess the overall fetal anatomy. This involves
a detailed examination of the fetal head ,brain, face, lips,
heart, stomach, lungs, abdominal wall, kidneys, bladder, spine
arms, legs, hands, and feet. Several landmarks within individual
organ systems
are noted and recorded on video film for archiving. Only upon
request is fetal gender disclosed (assuming it can be seen).
-
Assessment of the position of the placenta.
-
Assessment of the amniotic fluid volume.
-
Assessment of the pelvic anatomy and the cervix.
|
 |
This
examination is expected to detect the majority of major fetal
malformations. It is important to appreciate however that such an
examination does not detect all abnormalities. Many congenital heart
abnormalities are complex and escape diagnosis at the 22 weeks
ultrasound examination. Also in many instances the view of the fetus
may he hampered by the it's position at the time of examination.
Also, the tissue interposed between the ultrasound probe and the
baby absorbs the ultrasound waves, so if a particular patient is
overweight the fatty tissue of the abdominal wall may make
visualization of the fetus difficult. In these circumstances the
patient may be rescheduled for further assessment of the fetus later
in pregnancy when the fetus is slightly larger.
Finally in certain circumstances
fetal abnormalities may not be evident on ultrasound despite
adequate views. This may be explained by the natural history of the
condition where the abnormality only becomes evident in later
pregnancy or where there are in fact no structural changes in the
baby (eg. cerebral palsy, biochemical abnormalities genetic
disorders and some
chromosomal abnormalities).
|
|
|
|
|
|
