The term “amniocentesis” is not new to most pregnant mothers, but it is a term that sounds a bit scary and anxious. Originally, amniocentesis was only a method to obtain fetal cells, but it has brought about many benefits to human health. The world’s first case of amniocentesis to determine fetal karyotype was in 1966, and the following year the first case of congenital dysmorphism (21-3 somatic karyotype) was diagnosed, providing a method for prenatal fetal diagnosis. Subsequently, scientists gradually developed fetal chorionic villus biopsy and umbilical cord blood puncture techniques, thus making “full gestational” prenatal diagnosis a reality. We know that the baby lives in the amniotic cavity, just like swimming in a swimming pool, and the amniotic fluid is a good protection for the baby. But amniotic fluid is not “pure water”, it contains many nutrients, including the baby’s metabolic products and cells shed from the baby’s body surface. 1, prenatal diagnosis: through the extraction of amniotic fluid, in vitro culture of fetal cells, further analysis of fetal chromosome karyotype, diagnosis of chromosomal disorders. In addition, diagnosis of dozens of inborn metabolic diseases can also be performed. 2. Fetal lung maturity is detected by amniocentesis. If the fetal lungs are immature, the doctor will inject steroid hormone drugs (mostly dexamethasone) into the amniotic cavity to promote fetal lung maturation. 3. For pregnant mothers with excessive amniotic fluid, a certain amount of amniotic fluid can be drained by amniocentesis to relieve the discomfort caused by the large amount of amniotic fluid. Which pregnant mothers need to have amniocentesis if it is for prenatal diagnosis? Pregnant mothers over 35 years of age; pregnant mothers with high risk of fetal chromosomal abnormalities detected by prenatal screening; pregnant mothers who have given birth to a child with chromosomal disorders; pregnant mothers whose fetus is suspected to have chromosomal abnormalities by prenatal ultrasound; pregnant mothers where one of the spouses is a carrier of chromosomal abnormalities; and other cases where the physician deems it necessary to perform prenatal diagnosis. When should I have an amniocentesis? Amniocentesis can be performed as soon as the amniotic fluid reaches a certain amount for prenatal diagnosis purposes, and is generally recommended between 16 and 22+6 weeks of gestation. Simple process of amniocentesis 1. According to the indications for amniocentesis, the doctor will communicate with the pregnant mother and sign an informed consent form for amniocentesis. 2.The necessary laboratory tests will be performed before the procedure, such as infection disease detection, blood and urine routine, liver and kidney function, blood type, coagulation function, etc. 3.Amniocentesis is usually done under ultrasound-guided positioning. After local disinfection, try to avoid the placenta and fetal body, select an area with a relatively large amniotic pool, penetrate the amniotic pool through the abdomen with a fine puncture needle, slowly extract about 20 ml of amniotic fluid, send it to the prenatal diagnostic laboratory for a certain period of time for amniotic fluid cell culture, and then perform karyotype analysis under a microscope to diagnose chromosomal diseases. 4. Generally, the karyotype analysis report of fetal chromosome can be obtained about 4 weeks after amniocentesis. If the diagnosis of congenital metabolic disease is done, the amniotic fluid specimen will be sent to the appropriate laboratory for testing. Amniocentesis is relatively safe Since amniocentesis is an invasive test, there is a small chance of bleeding, infection, fetal damage, fetal loss, unsuccessful puncture, and culture failure. Because pregnant mothers are not doctors, they are inevitably nervous and anxious, which is not necessary. Amniocentesis is currently the safest way to obtain fetal cells, and it is worth the little pain of the puncture for the ultimate peace of mind that the results will bring to everyone. The amniocentesis is a prenatal diagnosis that is usually done on an outpatient basis and does not require hospitalization for the pregnant mother. After the amniocentesis, the pregnant mother will be arranged to rest for 1 to 2 hours to observe whether there are contractions, abdominal pain, bleeding and other discomforts, after listening to the normal fetal heart, the pregnant mother can go home to rest in the company of her family. 2.The sterile dressing on the puncture site can be removed after 24 hours. 3, 1 to 2 days after the amniocentesis pay more attention to rest, avoid strain, any discomfort to go to the hospital for examination. In most cases, there is no need for medication after amniocentesis. Do not be overly anxious when waiting patiently. It is important to remind pregnant mothers who have amniocentesis to wait patiently for the report of the results, not to “think”, not to “take the bull by the horns”, not to be anxious about things that they cannot control and handle, and the only thing they can do is to take care of themselves and have the amniocentesis on schedule. The only thing you can do is to take care of yourself, have your prenatal checkups on schedule, and pray silently that your baby’s cells are growing well in the lab incubator, which is the only way to get accurate results.