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Article: Health: DEAR DOCTOR; Dr Mark gives you the lowdown on scabies (is anyone else feeling itchy yet?), why sleeping tablets aren't always the answer, the best way to deal with anaemia and the real dangers of amniocentesis tests...(Features)
- Article from:
- Sunday Mirror (London, England)
- Article date:
- March 17, 2002
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 MGN LTD. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Dr Mark Porter
QI'm in my forties and pregnant for the first time. My GP suggested an amniocentesis to check all is well. Is it safe?
AAmniocentesis is an accurate way of picking up genetic abnormalities such as Down's syndrome and is offered to mums who are at risk of having a baby with Down's. It involves introducing a needle into the womb and drawing some of the fluid surrounding the baby between 16-18 weeks of pregnancy. Amniocentesis can cause miscarriage, however using an ultrasound scanner to guide the tip reduces this risk to around 1 in ...