Amniotic fluid tests are crucial to expecting mothers, as they help identify risks and threats that the fetus may be exposed to during the pregnancy. The amniotic fluid test is a straightforward test, and it’s not something that you should fear. The process is simple, as the doctor will suck a small amount of amniotic fluid from your body and perform specific tests on the fluid. Here are some of the reasons that make amniotic fluid tests vital to every pregnant woman.
Determines the Condition of the Fetus
The only way to identify whether the fetus is in the proper condition is through a series of testing. The amniotic fluid test is just a simple procedural test to determine the state of the fetus. Your doctor may use a needle or a swab from Pro Labs to withdraw a small amount of amniotic fluid from your uterus in this test. The amniotic fluid is usually yellowish, and it’s the fluid that surrounds the fetus. The amniotic fluid test typically falls under a category of tests known as diagnostic tests that are mainly used in identifying potential problems in the fetus.
The amniotic fluid contains the air that the unborn baby inhales and some of the cells of the fetus, and thus, the sample taken from you gives the doctor a clear picture of how the body of the fetus is behaving. The test is usually conducted mainly on the 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy or as per your doctor’s recommendations. Importantly performing the tests before the 15 weeks or after the 20 weeks could result in complications during the pregnancy, and you must consult with your doctor before the test is performed. The amniotic fluid also contains genetic codes that doctors could interpret to determine the sex of your child.
Identifies Abnormalities in the Fetus
As mentioned earlier, the amniotic fluid test is a diagnostic test, which means it is used to determine the health status of the unborn baby. Through the genetic codes contained in the fluid, the doctor can use an in-vitro diagnostic kit to decide whether or not they are any abnormalities with the unborn baby or not. Some of the primary abnormalities this test will identify include chromosomal disorders, brain problems, and cystic fibrosis.
Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease that affects a child’s sweat glands and mucus glands. It is a condition that will affect the lungs, genitals, and intestines of the baby. The symptoms of this ailment include breathing difficulties and chest pains when coughing or sneezing. On the other hand, chromosomal disorders will impact the brain development of your child, which interferes with the creativity and intellectual capability of the child.
It’s a Requirement for Certain Groups of Women
Different women will have different experiences during pregnancy depending on their age, genes, and previous experiences during the pregnancy. In most cases, your doctor will recommend you go through amniotic fluid tests if you have previously delivered a child with abnormalities. Besides this, if you or your spouse have suffered from any hereditary disease, you must have this test performed to ensure the child gets the necessary attention and treatment. Lastly, doctors will demand women who are older (35 years and above) and pregnant to have these tests performed on them. In most cases, children born from more senior women have chromosomal disorder infection, and the amniotic fluid tests can identify such disorders and allow early diagnosis of such claims.
Start Early Treatment
Once the results of the amniotic fluid tests are available, your doctor will advise you on the cause of action to take. Normal results are interpreted to mean that the child does not have any complications and that the pregnancy is well. However, abnormal results may require you to take a series of treatments to restore the health of the unborn child.
Conclusion
In the sections presented above, you will find some reasons you should go for an amniotic fluid test. The test will help you determine the health status of your unborn baby, the sex of the child and offer treatment to any abnormalities that are developing in the fetus before it is too late.
