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Results

By Mayo Clinic staff

Your health care provider or a genetic counselor will help you understand your amniocentesis results.

For genetic amniocentesis, test results can reliably rule out or diagnose various genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome. Amniocentesis can't identify all birth defects, however.

If amniocentesis indicates that your baby has a chromosomal or genetic condition that can't be treated, you might face wrenching decisions — such as whether to continue the pregnancy. Seek support from your health care team and your loved ones during this difficult time.

For maturity amniocentesis, test results can reliably indicate a baby's lung maturity. If you need to deliver the baby early, this information offers reassurance that your baby is ready for birth.

What you can expect
References
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  3. Frequently asked questions. Pregnancy FAQ165. Screening for birth defects. American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq165.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20120803T1101436205. Accessed Aug. 3, 2012.
  4. Cunningham FG, et al. Williams Obstetrics. 23rd ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=6021591. Accessed Aug. 8, 2012.
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  6. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee on Practice Bulletins - Obstetrics. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 88: Invasive Prenatal Testing for Aneuploidy. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2007;110:1459.
  7. Frequently asked questions. Pregnancy FAQ171. Cystic fibrosis: Prenatal screening and diagnosis. American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq171.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20120801T1656571546. Accessed Aug. 1, 2012.
  8. Gillen-Goldstein J, et al. Assessment of fetal lung maturity. www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Aug. 3, 2012.
  9. Moore KL, et al. The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2013:1.
  10. Gibbs RS, et al. Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008. http://www.danforthsobgyn.com. Accessed Aug. 8, 2012.
  11. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Your Pregnancy and Childbirth Month to Month. 5th ed. Washington, D.C.: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; 2010:343.
  12. Frequently asked questions. Pregnancy FAQ027. The Rh factor: How it can affect your pregnancy. American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq027.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20120809T1038350240. Accessed Aug. 9, 2012.
  13. Beckman CRB, et al. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 6th ed. Baltimore, Md.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010:57.
  14. Fischbach FT, et al. A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009:1041.
  15. Pagana KD, et al. Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010:664.
MY00155 Oct. 10, 2012

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