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During your Pre-Natal Care, INTERCOUNTY OB/GYN in Ridgewood, NY, also conducts pre-natal testing. Amniocentesis is a pre-natal testing that screens for developmental abnormalities in the fetus. We recommend amniocentesis when:

• Women who are 35 years of age or older because they are at higher risk of having a child with chromosomal abnormality
• Women who have a family history of an inherited condition, i.e. Duchenne muscular dystrophy, cystic fribrosis, etc
• Women whose ancestry or ethnic background means they might have a higher chance of an inherited disorder such as sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, or Tay Sachs disease
• Screening for common genetic disorders, i.e. spina bifida, Down syndrome, etc

PROCEDURE:

Amniocentesis is performed at around 15-20 weeks of pregnancy. To test a sample of your amniotic fluid from the womb, your doctor will insert a thin needle into your through your abdomen and uterus. The cells taken from the fluid will be grown in a special culture generally within two weeks. From these cells, your doctor will look at the chromosomes from the cell through a microscope and be able to detect any abnormalities.

For more information about amniocentesis, please call 718-497-3045 for a consultation.