1. Genetics
Amniocentesis is only offered if women is at a higher than average risk for a pregnancy with birth defects. There are several factors which increase the risk of damaging the foetus such as being over the age of 35, having a previous pregnancy with a birth defect, having a family history of genetic disease or birth defects, or having abnormal results of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) screening.6 Amniocentesis is performed to see if the foetal lungs are mature enough to be delivered, and to diagnose urinary infections. ...
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