AMNIOCENTESIS AND CHORIONIC VILLUS SAMPLING (CVS)

Amniocentesis is a procedure performed during pregnancy to examine a baby’s chromosomes. Most often, an amniocentesis is ideally done between approximately 16-20 weeks of pregnancy (gestation). During this procedure, amniotic fluid is removed for testing. The amniotic fluid contains cells that the baby has naturally shed. Cells within the amniotic fluid are examined in the lab to test for specific fetal disorders. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is also found in the amniotic fluid and can be measured in the laboratory.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS), a prenatal test that diagnoses chromosomal abnormalities such as Down Syndrome, Trisomy 13 and 18, Cystic Fibrosis, Sickle Cell Disease, and a host of several other genetic conditions. CVS is usually done between weeks 10 and 13 of pregnancy — earlier than other prenatal diagnostic tests, such as amniocentesis. The main advantage of CVS is that your patients receive results much earlier, and enable us to work closely with you and your patient in the management of their pregnancy at an early stage.