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Last updated: 11/24/2009
Necessary aftercare falls into two categories, physical and emotional.
Physical aftercare
During and immediately following the sampling procedure, a woman may experience dizziness, nausea, a rapid heartbeat, and cramping....
Once past these immediate hurdles, the physician will send the woman home with instructions to rest and to report any complications requiring immediate treatment, including:
- Vaginal bleeding. The appearance of blood could signal a problem.
- Premature labor. Unusual abdominal pain and/or cramping may indicate the onset of premature labor. Mild cramping for the first day or two following the procedure is normal.
- Signs of infection. Leaking of amniotic fluid or unusual vaginal discharge, and fever could signal the onset of infection.
Emotional aftercare
Once the procedure has been safely completed, the anxiety of waiting for the test results can prove to be the worst part of the process. A woman should seek and receive emotional support from family and friends, as well as from her obstetrician and family doctor. Professional counseling may also prove necessary, particularly if a fetal defect is detected.
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Animated, narrated slide show that describes how amniotic fluid is sampled during amniocentesis. An ultrasound probe is used to help guide the needle during the procedure.
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Other Information
Amniocentesis (also referred to as amniotic fluid test or AFT), is a medical procedure used in prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities and fetal infections , in which a small amount of amniotic fluid, which contains fetal tissues, is extracted from the amnion or amniotic sac surrounding a developing fetus, and the fetal DNA is examined for genetic abnormalities.
Other Information
An obstetrician/gynecologist, commonly abbreviated as OB/GYN, can serve as a primary physician and often serve as consultants to other physicians.
From: womenshealthchannel.com
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