Amniocentesis

Amniocentesis Extra Credit

Shaun Davis

1028965

SCIN132

Professor: John Eward

Amniocentesis, as many who have children already know, is a test offered by health care professionals in the prenatal phases of child rearing. Opinions will vary on this procedure, as to the necessity of it, however the risks and benefits are recognized by either opinion group across the board. Personally, neither my ex-wife nor I wanted to go through the process of amniocentesis, as the results would not have made a difference to us either way.

Amniocentesis has the ability to detect lung maturity, intrauterine infection and blood sensitization. It can also predict the probability of nearly all chromosomal disorders such as trisomy thirteen and eighteen, Turner syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome. It is also used to detect Down syndrome (Babycenter, 2010).

As with anything, along with the benefits, come the risks. Of the few risks associated with Amniocentesis, miscarriage is the biggest one. Although the chances of this happening are sloght, between one in three hundred and one in 500, it is a risk none-the-less (mayo clinic, 2011). Cramping, bleeding, and injuries caused by the needle are very rare. Other rarities include the complications of amniotic fluid leaking out, Rh sensitization, infection, and infection transmission. Although most complications are rare, the possibilities should be taken into consideration when deciding whether to undergo this procedure.

I would not personally elect to have my significant other go through this process, should I happen to fall into one of the risk categories for genetic abnormalities. First of all, it is too late at that point to do anything about it as far as aborting it or something along those lines. Secondly, I would love my baby no matter what abnormalities it should have, so it would not even be an option for me.

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