Are there any risks to the Amniocentesis test?

There are risks involved with the amniocentesis test but it is considered to be a very safe and effective procedure; in the vast majority of cases the risks are far outweighed by the advantages of having the test.

Possible side-effects include pain from the needle, a persistent pain which feels like period pain 9this should only last a few hours after the test).

Possible complications include:

• Injury caused by the needle going into the abdominal wall: it is possible for the placenta to be punctured during this procedure but this is very rare. In some cases, it is essential to puncture the placenta in order to get the sample; the wound heals very quickly and there are no further complications.
• Rhesus disease: this disease can occur if you are rhesus negative and your baby is rhesus positive. Rhesus disease occurs when the baby’s blood is exposed to the mother’s blood and causes the protein cells in the mother’s body to attack the blood cells in the baby’s body. If you have a different blood type to your baby, you will be given an anti-D immunoglobulin injection after the test to reduce the risk of this disease developing.
• Club foot: this is very unlikely but it is possible for the amniocentesis test to cause club foot; this occurs when the foot and ankle become deformed.
• Infection: this can occur if bacteria enter the body during the procedure. Symptoms of infection include fever, shivering, abdominal pain and contractions. It is important to seek urgent medical attention if you suffer from any of these symptoms.
• Miscarriage: around 1 percent of women suffer a miscarriage as a result of an amniocentesis test.