What is amniocentesis? Amniocentesis is a procedure performed on pregnant women in their second trimester to diagnose or rule out birth defects. The procedure is usually performed in the doctor’s office by an obstetrician. With the help of ultrasound, a thin needle is inserted through the abdomen into the uterus to remove a small amount […]

Most health care providers now routinely offer their pregnant patients a blood test called the maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening test. This test identifies pregnancies at higher-than-average risk of certain serious birth defects, such as spina bifida (open spine) and Down syndrome (characteristic facial features, mental retardation, and possible heart defects and other problems). The […]