Question
What is the process for performing an amniocentesis for Down Syndrome screening? Will the examination have any impact on the fetus?
Answer
Amniocentesis is typically performed between the 18th and 22nd weeks of pregnancy to confirm whether the fetus has Down Syndrome. The procedure is straightforward, involving first disinfecting the mother’s abdomen, then using a needle to pierce through the abdominal wall and uterus, avoiding the fetus’s limbs to extract amniotic fluid. The examination does not typically cause any impact on the fetus, but in rare cases (about 0.2~1%), it may lead to miscarriage.