Information for Women Following Amniocentesis

General advice            

Following your amniocentesis you are advised to rest and relax at home for the remainder of the day if possible. You do not need to go to bed, and it is safe to have a bath or shower. 

You may experience some abdominal / back discomfort or ‘period type’ pains. This is more common in the first 24 to 48 hours. Paracetamol is safe in pregnancy and can be taken to relieve this. 

If you experience any of the following: 

• Vaginal bleeding 
• Loss of fluid from the vagina 
• Pain that doesn’t settle with Paracetamol, is prolonged or gets progressively worse 
• Feeling generally unwell, feverish or have a high temperature

Contact the Delivery suite at Wigan Infirmary on 01942 778505 and speak to a Midwife (number available 24 hours).

Results 

The results come in 2 stages:

Rapid result

It usually takes two to three working days to obtain the rapid result which checks for the 3 commonest chromosome problems Down’s, Edwards’, and Patau’s Syndromes. From time to time technical difficulties mean the result can take longer than this. Occasionally, it is not possible to obtain a rapid result, but you will be informed if this is the case. If your amniocentesis was for a higher chance screening result, but no problems were identified by scan, this will be the only result you will receive.

Complete result

The result of all 23 pairs of chromosomes is usually available around 2 weeks after the sample was taken. This will only be available if there were abnormalities found on scan.

You can choose to receive your results by phone or face to face. This is your choice, and we are happy to give the results in the way you feel is best for you. If you opt to receive your results by phone, please ensure we have the correct contact number for you in your records.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your results, please contact the Antenatal Screening Midwife on 01942 774702 or 01942 774700.