Amniocentesis

Amniocentesis is a procedure to obtain a small sample of amniotic fluid to obtain genetic material from the baby.

What is amniocentesis?

Amniocentesis is a procedure we use to obtain a small sample of the amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus to obtain genetic material from the baby.

Amniocentesis is typically recommended for women over 35 years old and those who had abnormal values in their maternal serum screening, which could indicate the presence of a chromosomal abnormality or a neural tube defect.

At what weeks of pregnancy is Amniocentesis performed?

It should be performed between weeks 15 and 20 of pregnancy.

Is any type of anesthesia necessary for Amniocentesis?

Generally, we use a local anesthetic to numb the area of the abdomen where the needle will be inserted.

Is there any risk to the baby associated with Amniocentesis?

While every invasive procedure carries some risks, the risks associated with Amniocentesis are relatively low. The risk of fetal loss is around 0.1% to 1%, and the risk of membrane rupture is 1–2%. It’s important to know that complications are rare and you are in the hands of specialized medical professionals.

Contact Us

Schedule an appointment
for Amniocentesis

Through this procedure, we obtain a sample of amniotic fluid, which can be used for multiple genetic studies, as it contains cells and DNA from the baby.

Analyzing the environment it’s in, ruling out specific genomic mutations, open neural tube defects (ONTDs) like spina bifida, detecting intra-amniotic infections, or conducting paternity tests.

The amniotic fluid obtained through Amniocentesis helps us rule out, with 100% certainty, chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, Turner syndrome, among others, and intra-amniotic infections.

During the procedure, we insert a fine needle through the abdomen to extract a small amount of amniotic fluid. At the same time, we perform an ultrasound to guide the specialist. This technology allows us to have a clear view of the baby and the placenta and to extract the amniotic fluid safely.

The procedure itself is quite quick, usually taking around 20 to 30 minutes.

Yes, it is an invasive method. A needle is carefully inserted into the uterus to extract the amniotic fluid. But you don’t need to worry, our maternal-fetal specialists have extensive experience in performing Amniocentesis, and the risk is practically nonexistent.

Results are usually available 12 to 15 days after the sample is taken. Once validated, we will send them to your email and to your doctor’s.

Specialists

Dr. Yazmin Copado Mendoza​

Maternal-fetal medicine specialist

Gynecologist and Obstetrician with a subspecialty in Maternal Fetal Medicine and training in advanced fetal echocardiography.

Certified by the Mexican Council of Specialists in Gynecology and Obstetrics, and the Fetal Medicine Foundation. As an expert in maternal-fetal health, I try to convey to my patients the importance of care and supervision during pregnancy.

Dr. Vania Cortés Cerna

Maternal-fetal medicine specialist

Gynecologist and Obstetrician with a subspecialty in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, certified by the Mexican Council of Specialists in Gynecology and Obstetrics and the Fetal Medicine Foundation.

Expert in the monitoring and management of high-risk pregnancies, detection of congenital disabilities, and twin pregnancies.

Dr. Héctor Andrés Moreno Yépez

Maternal-fetal medicine specialist

Gynecologist and Obstetrician with a subspecialty in Maternal Fetal Medicine by the UNAM. Experienced in the management of high risk obstetric and gynecologic pathology.

Certified by the Fetal Medicine Foundation in Cervical Assessment, Preeclampsia Detection and Doppler Ultrasound. Afiliado a la International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis y The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Affiliated to the International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis and The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

Dr. Luisa Fernanda Mariscal

Medical Geneticist

Specialist in Medical Genetics with subspecialty in Perinatal Genetics from the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

Certified by the Mexican Council of Human Genetics, she is an active member of the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG), the International Society of Prenatal Diagnosis (ISPD) and the Mexican Association of Human Genetics (AMGH).

Other Services

Av. Paseo de la Reforma 2654. Torre Quadrata, 14th Floor, Offic. 1401. Lomas Altas. Miguel Hidalgo. Zip Code 11950. CDMX.

Scan the code