Is it necessary to take amniocentesis for women over 35 undergoing IVF in the US?

2023-12-13 17:27:54，visits： 354

Many women often search online for answers regarding the necessity of undergoing amniocentesis. I can confidently say that this question is highly specialized and cannot be answered through a simple internet search. Unlike general medical consultations, there is no ambiguous answer here. Instead, it is a personalized choice that requires careful consideration.

Firstly, let's understand what amniocentesis is. Under the guidance of ultrasound, a thin needle is inserted into the uterus to extract 20-30ml of amniotic fluid for the examination of the baby's chromosomes. It can be considered as directly entering the realm of the fetus to obtain the most comprehensive information. Therefore, amniocentesis is a diagnostic procedure, and its results serve as the final diagnosis, whereas the results of prenatal screening tests such as maternal serum screening and non-invasive DNA testing are predictive in nature. The results of amniocentesis are considered the gold standard.

Some experts in China believe that hospitals and doctors qualified to perform amniocentesis undergo strict control and have extensive experience, thus ensuring a certain level of safety. If the results of prenatal screening tests such as maternal serum screening and non-invasive DNA testing indicate a high risk, amniocentesis is still necessary. While this viewpoint is not entirely incorrect, it lacks precision as amniocentesis carries inherent risks. Therefore, the question of whether women over 35 years old, particularly those undergoing IVF, need to undergo amniocentesis remains a topic of discussion.

Dr. Nathan Zhang, an expert in the field of assisted reproduction, a medical doctor with a degree from the United States, and the founder of IVF USA, believes that there are specific indications for amniocentesis. Considering the increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities in women over 35, it is advisable to undergo amniocentesis. However, with rapid advancements in science and technology, amniocentesis is no longer necessary. Instead, genetic testing can be performed using blood samples to detect potential genetic diseases through the analysis of fetal cells shed from the placenta. If issues arise from the blood test results, then amniocentesis can be considered. One drawback of amniocentesis is the increased risk of miscarriage, especially for older pregnant women.

Moreover, for IVF procedures in the United States, blood testing has become increasingly common. Although blood testing is not as precise as amniocentesis, if you have undergone Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and the results are good, and the blood test results show no abnormalities, then there is no need to do amniocentesis.

Dr. Nathan Zhang explains that before the egg retrieval procedure for IVF in the United States, both men and women are required to undergo a genetic test called Consul. Genetic diseases and chromosomal diseases are two different issues, so it is necessary to first rule out genetic diseases in the couple and then screen for chromosomal diseases in the embryos using NGS. However, no test can be 100% accurate, and NGS can achieve about 99% accuracy. Therefore, doctors still recommend that pregnant women undergo routine prenatal check-ups at the hospital, similar to the dual protection mechanism, which can serve as confirmation of the NGS test results.

As a professional medical service team, IVF USA is committed to providing personalized and scientific treatment advice to every patient. Dr. Nathan Zhang, as an expert in the field of assisted reproduction, will personally provide you with professional guidance and support to ensure a smooth journey in your IVF process. Currently, IVF USA provides services such as egg freezing and IVF in the United States, as well as third-party assisted reproduction services. Their services have expanded to countries outside the United States, including IVF and egg freezing in Japan, Thailand, Mexico, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other regions. They collaborate with top IVF doctors worldwide to provide professional services to millions of families.