How are invasive tests done and how long do the results normally take?

These techniques are usually performed with you wide awake and a fine needle is inserted through your abdomen often with some local anaesthetic so that you shouldn'' feel anything. CVS is normally performed after 11, amniocentesis after 14 and cordocentesis after 22 weeks and with all techniques it is possible to ''culture'' the fetal cells obtained allowing chromosomal or genetic diseases to be picked up. Rapid results are now available within a few days using techniques such as FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridisation) and PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Otherwise, results may take as long as three weeks to arrive (amniocentesis) but are quicker with CVS and cordocentesis.
Amniocentesis: Guiding the needle

First, to help the doctor be absolutely precise when inserting the needle, an ultrasound scanner is used to establish the exact position of the fetus and the placenta. Second a fine needle is inserted into the womb and into a pool of amniotic fluid.

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