- The aspiration of amniotic fluid from the pregnant uterus for examination to determine genetic disorders, sex, and fetal maturity; done from 14th weeks onwards.
- Timing of amniocentesis procedures: click here to view...
- Risks to client include: maternal hemorrhage, infection, Rh isoimmunization, abruptio placenta, labor, fetal death (0.3-0.5% risk), infection, injury from needle.
- Nursing Responsibilities:
- Informed consent.
- Have clients empty bladder before procedure.
- Baseline vital signs and FHR, then check every 15 minutes.
- Position supine with abdominal scrub.
- Encourage bed rest and avoidance of strenuous activities.
- Instruct client to report any side effects: chills, fever, fluid leakage, decrease fetal movement, uterine contractions.
a. COLOR
- Normally, the color of water. Yellow tinged suggests blood incompatibility. A green color suggests meconium staining.
b. LECITHIN/SPHINGOMYELIN RATIO
- They are protein component of the lung enzyme surfactant that the alveoli begin to form about the 22nd to 24th weeks of pregnancy.
- Normal ratio is 2:1 or greater which signifies lung maturity.
c. BILIRUBIN DETERMINATION
- Normally, should be negative for blood or should have no false-positive reading.
d. CHROMOSOME ANALYSIS
- Chromosomal study of fetal tissues should be free of diseases.
e. INBORN ERROR OF METABOLISM
- The enzyme defect must be present in the amniotic fluid as early as 14-16th weeks to have a diagnosis.
f. ALPHA FETOPROTEIN
