Amniocentesis is a medical procedure sometimes performed during pregnancy to help determine the health and maturity of an unborn baby. It involves the withdrawal and study of a small amount of the amniotic fluid that surrounds the foetus in the mother's uterus. Laboratory tests on the fluid, which contains cells shed by the foetus, enable detection of many serious disorders that may affect the foetus. Such disorders include Down's syndrome and spina bifida. Amniocentesis involves little risk to either the mother or the foetus.
Amniocentesis is mostly performed around the 16th week of pregnancy on 'at risk' mothers. These include those more than 35 years of age and those with genetic disorders in the family. If tests reveal serious abnormality, likely to cause death or pronounced handicap, the parents may choose to end the pregnancy. Otherwise, doctors can plan ahead for early treatment, either in the womb or at birth. If there is some medical reason for delivering a baby before it is due to be born, amniocentesis may be performed later in pregnancy. In this case, tests show whether the baby is likely to survive outside the womb. An obstetrician performs amniocentesis with the aid of ultrasound which enables the obstetrician to monitor the position of the foetus while inserting a long hollow needle through the mother's abdominal wall and into the uterus. The obstetrician then withdraws a small amount of amniotic fluid, which is sent away for testing. Research Amniocentesis
The areola is the pigmented ring around the nipple. It can be from one centimetre to five or more centimetres in diameter, and changes from a delicate pink colour to brown early in pregnancy and never quite returns to its original colour. The areola is spotted with small buds called areolar glands. The oil-producing glands are also known as Montgomery's glands (named after the obstetrician William Fetherston Montgomery who identified them). The glands sometimes rise like pimples over the skin and may enlarge during pregnancy. Research Areola
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Research Amniocentesis
