Amniocentesis

Amniocentesis is a test to look at the fluid (amniotic fluid) that surrounds your baby (fetus).

Normal amniotic fluid is clear to light yellow in color and does not contain any harmful bacteria. The cells can be tested for problems.

• Cells from your fetus are looked at carefully for the proper number and arrangement of the cell parts (chromosomes) that show genetic disease. Normally there are 46 chromosomes in each cell, arranged in 23 pairs. Chromosomes also tell the sex of your fetus.
• The amounts of some substances in the amniotic fluid may be measured. These results can find some birth defects, genetic diseases, and the maturity of your fetus.