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What is amniocentesis?

Amniocentesis, sometimes referred to as an ‘amnio’ or an AFT, is a medical procedure used in the prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities. The procedure involves taking a small amount of amniotic fluid, which contains fetal tissues, from the amniotic sac surrounding a developing fetus. The fetal DNA is then examined for genetic abnormalities. Amniocentesis is what is termed an invasive diagnostic procedure and carries a risk of miscarriage, estimated at between 1-2%.