Is cord blood puncture better than amniocentesis?

Umbilical cord blood puncture and amniocentesis are both very common examinations. Usually, the results of umbilical cord blood puncture are more accurate than those of amniocentesis, but the risk is also higher. Both examinations are a method of prenatal diagnosis, and are used to check whether the fetal chromosomes are abnormal. However, no matter which examination method is taken, it is necessary to go to a regular professional hospital for examination.

The difference between cord blood puncture and amniocentesis

Umbilical cord blood puncture is a procedure similar to muscle acupuncture. If you relax during the operation, there will be no obvious pain. At the same time, the operation generally requires to be performed by a doctor with experience and qualifications in prenatal diagnosis, and the puncture operation itself is a minor operation with low risk. Puncture plays an irreplaceable role in diagnosing the development and health status of the fetus in the womb.

Umbilical cord blood puncture and amniocentesis chromosome testing can both check whether the fetal spine has any deformities. The location of umbilical cord puncture is determined by the position of the placenta. The part free in the amniotic fluid can be punctured, or the root of the umbilical cord on the fetal side or on the placental side can be punctured. Most people choose to puncture the umbilical vein. The method is basically the same as amniocentesis, except that the puncture site is different. Amniocentesis is a method of prenatal diagnosis.

Does amniocentesis hurt?

Amniocentesis is generally not too painful, but it varies from person to person. Some expectant mothers are more sensitive to pain or are more nervous and may feel pain.

Amniocentesis does not require anesthesia because the pain of the injection of anesthetic may be more intense than the amniocentesis itself. Most expectant mothers will only feel slight pain when the needle is first inserted, similar to the pain of pricking a finger to draw blood, which is bearable. There is no need to worry about causing harm to the fetus. During this process, the doctor will carefully avoid the fetus under B-ultrasound monitoring.

Since no anesthesia is used, some expectant mothers may feel a tightness in the abdomen, or a tingling or pressure during amniocentesis. Some expectant mothers may not feel any discomfort. Whether or not you feel pain depends on your individual situation.

Risks of Amniocentesis

Amniocentesis is performed under the guidance of B-ultrasound. The doctor will choose a location with abundant amniotic fluid and will not harm the fetus for the puncture, so it is generally very safe.

With the continuous improvement of science and technology and clinical technology, the safety factor of amniocentesis has been greatly improved. Take miscarriage, which is of greatest concern to expectant mothers, for example. Literature from the last century reported that the miscarriage rate was about 0.5% (1/200) [3]. In recent years, literature has reported that the miscarriage rate caused by it is only 1/1600. However, as an invasive examination, no one can guarantee that amniocentesis will not cause any impact on the fetus and the expectant mother. In addition, the main complications of amniocentesis include bleeding, infection, amniotic fluid leakage, respiratory distress, premature birth, fetal injury, miscarriage, etc.