Amniocentesis

Type of test: Dagnostic

When is it done?
- 16-18 weeks, (but the test may soon be offered much earlier in pregnancy)

What conditions is it looking for?
- Down's syndrome
- Edward's syndrome
- Turner's syndrome
- Spina bifida
- Anencephaly
- and other rare conditions.

How is it done?

A fine needle is put through the wall of your abdomen and using ultrasound to guide her, the doctor takes a sample of the amniotic fluid (waters) which surround the baby. This fluid contains cells from the baby and these are sent to a laboratory. The procedure takes from 10-20 minutes to carry out and is done at the local hospital in the out-patient department.

How long before the results come through?
- 3-4 weeks

If the test is positive, what next? You could choose:
- to do nothing
- to have a termination of pregnancy (abortion).

Chorionic Villus Sampling Test (CVS)

Type of test: Diagnostic

When is it done?
- around 11 weeks

What conditions is it looking for?
-    Down's syndrome
-    Turner's syndrome
-    Edward's syndrome
-    (not spina bifida)

How is it done?

The doctor passes a fine needle either through the wall of your abdomen, or into the vagina and through the cervix, and uses an ultrasound scan to help her find the placenta so that a very small piece of it may be sucked out through the needle. The procedure can be uncomfortable, but isn't normally painful. It takes from 10-20 minutes and is done in the out-patient clinic of your local hospital.

How long before the results come through?
- 7-10 days

If the result is abnormal, what next? You could choose:
- to do nothing
- to have a termination of pregnancy (abortion).