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Amniocentesis
- Rapid access to specialist obstetricians and multidisciplinary care
- Precise genetic analysis with expert interpretation
- Comfortable private facilities for consultations and your procedure
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AMNIOCENTISIS AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
Our dedicated foetal medicine consultants understand how important accurate and timely information can be during your pregnancy. We’re expert at performing an amniocentesis and here are to guide you through every step with sensitivity and expertise.
We’ll use advanced techniques to give you precise results and any onward support you need. You’ll have swift access to appointments in our comfortable private facilities and reassuringly personalised care from our experienced multidisciplinary team.
An amniocentesis is a proven diagnostic test to help you understand more about your unborn baby's health and wellbeing. It’s typically performed between weeks 15 and 20 of your pregnancy.
The aim is to secure a small sample of the amniotic fluid that surrounds your baby in the womb so it can be analysed. This fluid contains foetal cells.
We’re able to test these to check for a range of genetic conditions such as Down syndrome, Edwards' syndrome and Patau's syndrome. We can identify certain inherited conditions too such as sickle cell disease, thalassaemia, cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy, especially if there’s a family history or if earlier screening tests or ultrasound scans have identified something concerning. The test can determine your baby's sex too, although its primary purpose is for crucial genetic evaluation.
Whether you have an amniocentesis is entirely your decision. Our consultants will provide you with all the information you need to help you make an informed choice.
The aim is to secure a small sample of the amniotic fluid that surrounds your baby in the womb so it can be analysed. This fluid contains foetal cells.
We’re able to test these to check for a range of genetic conditions such as Down syndrome, Edwards' syndrome and Patau's syndrome. We can identify certain inherited conditions too such as sickle cell disease, thalassaemia, cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy, especially if there’s a family history or if earlier screening tests or ultrasound scans have identified something concerning. The test can determine your baby's sex too, although its primary purpose is for crucial genetic evaluation.
Whether you have an amniocentesis is entirely your decision. Our consultants will provide you with all the information you need to help you make an informed choice.
Your consultant might recommend that you have an amniocentesis if:
- Your antenatal screening test, such as the combined test or NIPT test, indicates a higher than average risk of your baby having a chromosomal difference
- You’ve had a previous pregnancy that was affected by a genetic condition
- You have a family history of a specific genetic condition that your baby may be at risk of inheriting
- Your antenatal team has detected a foetal abnormality during a routine ultrasound scan
Your consultant will carefully and sensitively review your own pregnancy and discuss whether an amniocentesis is the most appropriate option for you.
An amniocentesis test should only ever be performed by an experienced foetal medicine consultant. They’ll use ultrasound guidance to ensure the safety and well-being of both you and your baby at every stage.
The whole process typically takes around 10 minutes. Here's what you can expect:
- An ultrasound scan will help your team to see your baby's position in your womb. That means they can choose the best place to take a sample, minimising the risk for you and your baby.
- An area on your tummy will be cleaned. It may also be numbed with a local anaesthetic to minimise any discomfort, though this often isn’t necessary.
- A thin, sterile needle is then gently inserted through your abdominal wall and into the amniotic sac. We use ultrasound guidance to ensure it’s safely positioned.
- A small amount of amniotic fluid is carefully withdrawn through the needle, approximately 20ml and the needle is then gently removed.
- Your baby's heartbeat will be monitored for a short period after the procedure via an ultrasound scan.
Most women say that they find the procedure uncomfortable, rather than painful, feeling pressure or mild cramping like period pain during or immediately after the needle insertion and removal.
Yes, several alternative antenatal screening tests are available.
- A chorionic villus sampling (CVS) test involves taking a small sample of cells from your placenta. It’s usually performed in the first trimester between weeks 11 and 14 of pregnancy, and it may be recommended if your pregnancy has higher risk of genetic or chromosomal differences.
- Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) analyses foetal DNA in your blood to assess the risk of certain chromosomal conditions, although it doesn’t provide a definitive diagnosis like an amniocentesis or CVS test.
- The combined test in the first trimester also assesses the risk of chromosomal differences based on blood tests and ultrasound measurements.
The choice of which screening and diagnostic tests you have is ultimately yours to make. Your consultant can answer any questions you have about the differences between the tests, and which may be more suitable for your pregnancy.
Next day appointments
See a specialist in as little as 24 hours
Specialist care
Talk to women’s health GPs and consultants
Dedicated facilities
Spaces specifically designed for women
Our location
Where can I get my amniocentesis test?
You can be treated by our specialist foetal medicine consultants and caring teams at The Portland Hospital in London, the only private hospital in the UK dedicated to women and children.
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
YOUR AMNIOCENTESIS TEST WITH HCA UK
What to expect
Considering an amniocentesis can be an emotional and complex decision. We understand, and our dedicated team is here to provide you with clear information, compassionate support and expert care at every step. If you choose to go ahead, here’s what you can expect.
01
Initial consultation
You’ll first have a dedicated consultation which our foetal medicine consultants will use to explain everything you need to know about amniocentesis. We'll discuss why it's being recommended, what the procedure involves, and the potential risks and benefits. We’ll also as answer all your questions to help you make an informed decision.
02
The procedure
If you decide to go ahead, the amniocentesis will be performed in our comfortable and private facilities by an experienced consultant. An ultrasound scan helps ensure the procedure is as safe and precise as possible.
03
Your results
We’ll analyse the amniotic fluid sample in our state-of-the-art HCA UK laboratories. Once we have the results, your consultant will arrange a follow-up appointment to discuss the findings with you in detail.
04
Ongoing support
Whatever the outcome of the amniocentesis, our team is here to provide you with continued support, ensuring that you understand any implications and connecting you with any necessary resources or specialist care. We're committed to helping you feel supported and informed as you navigate the next steps.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Amniocentesis FAQs
The procedure itself is relatively quick, usually lasting only a few minutes. Our experienced consultants are highly skilled in performing the procedure gently to minimise any discomfort and most people report that amniocentesis is more uncomfortable than painful.
Local anaesthetic can help to numb the area where the needle is inserted. You may feel a sharp pinch or stinging sensation as the needle goes in, followed by a feeling of pressure as the fluid is withdrawn. Some describe the sensation as similar to period pain.
Local anaesthetic can help to numb the area where the needle is inserted. You may feel a sharp pinch or stinging sensation as the needle goes in, followed by a feeling of pressure as the fluid is withdrawn. Some describe the sensation as similar to period pain.
Amniocentesis is generally considered a safe procedure when it’s performed by experienced consultants using ultrasound guidance. As with any medical procedure, there are some potential risks, although they’re rare. They include:
- Bleeding
- Leakage of amniotic fluid
- Miscarriage (around 1 in 200)
- Infection (less than 1 in 1,000)
- Injury to the baby (extremely rare)
Our foetal medicine consultants will discuss the risks with you in detail before the procedure, so you can make a fully informed decision. At HCA UK safety always comes first, and we’ll take every precaution to minimise all the risks to you and your unborn child.
Generally, you don’t need to make any special preparations before having your amniocentesis test. You can eat and drink normally beforehand. You may be advised not to empty your bladder a few hours before the procedure to make the ultrasound clearer. Your consultant will give you any specific instructions you need tailored to your own circumstances during your initial consultation.
It is common to experience mild cramping, like period pain, and you’ll possibly have some light vaginal bleeding, sometimes called spotting, for a day or two. It's best to avoid strenuous activity for at least 24 hours after the procedure to allow your body to recover.
While most women feel fine within a short time, it's important to contact your consultant if you experience any of the following:
While most women feel fine within a short time, it's important to contact your consultant if you experience any of the following:
- Constant or sharp pain
- A high temperature of 38°C or more
- Chills or shivers
- Vaginal bleeding, discharge or fluid leakage
- Contractions, when your tummy tightens, then relaxes
The turnaround time for amniocentesis results can vary depending on the specific tests that are being performed. We know that waiting can be stressful, so we always do our best to get results back to as quickly as possible.
You’ll typically have results relating to chromosomal conditions such as Downs syndrome, Edwards' syndrome or Patau's syndrome back in three to five working days.
Results for other conditions are extremely specialised and may take up to two weeks.
Your consultant will give you a clear timeline and let you know how we’ll be in touch.
Once you have your amniocentesis results, your consultant will arrange a follow-up appointment to discuss them with you in detail. We’re here to support you, regardless of the outcome.
- If you test results are normal, this will provide you with significant reassurance about the health of your unborn baby.
- If we do identify a genetic condition, our team will give you comprehensive information and discuss the potential implications for your baby's health. We’ll also connect you with relevant specialists and support services to help you make informed decisions about the ongoing management of your pregnancy and the care of your child.
Amniocentesis is considered an extremely accurate test. It’s estimated to give a clear and true results for 98 to 99 of every 100 women who have the test.
However sometimes it’s not possible to get a conclusive result. It also doesn’t test for every condition so a ‘normal’ result doesn’t guarantee that your baby will be completely healthy.
However sometimes it’s not possible to get a conclusive result. It also doesn’t test for every condition so a ‘normal’ result doesn’t guarantee that your baby will be completely healthy.
“Undergoing amniocentesis can be a significant decision for expectant parents. Our expert foetal medicine team will look after you with care and sensitivity at this important time. We’ll keep you fully informed from the initial consultation through to receiving your results and beyond.”
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