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Human Growth and Development

Prenatal Development-Embryonic Period

When is amniocentesis usually performed and why?

Amniocentesis is usually done after the fifteenth week of pregnancy. It is a prenatal test used to screen for and identify genetic disorders or test for lung maturity. During the procedure, a thin needle is inserted into the amniotic cavity to remove some of the amniotic fluid, which contains fetal cells and various chemicals produced by the fetus.