You may have had scans and blood tests during your pregnancy. These are common tests that are done to get basic information about your baby's health. But sometimes, if the doctor wants to get more detailed information about your baby's health, he or she may refer you to a special test. This is a test that is not done for everyone and is only done in special cases, called `Cordocentesis`.
Simply put, what is Cordocentesis?
Think of it like a blood test that takes a sample of your baby's blood in the womb. Simply put, the doctor carefully inserts a very fine needle through your abdomen, under the watchful eye of a scanner, and takes a few drops of blood from a blood vessel in your baby's umbilical cord . The blood sample is then sent to a lab to be tested for genetic disorders, blood disorders, or infections.
This test is called by other names. Your doctor may also call it `percutaneous umbilical cord blood sampling (PUBS)` or `funipuncture`. These are all names for the same test.
This method can be used to take a blood sample, sometimes to give medicine to the baby in the womb, or to give the baby a blood transfusion if the baby is anemic.
Why is it necessary to conduct such a test?
This is a very important question. Cordocentesis is not a routine test performed on every pregnant woman. It is only done in very special cases.
Usually, if there is a suspicion that the baby may have a problem from the initial scans, or tests such as `amniocentesis` (a test that takes a sample of the fluid around the baby) or `chorionic villus sampling (CVS)` (a test that takes a sample of the placenta), but it cannot be confirmed with certainty , then that is when doctors recommend doing this Cordocentesis test. That is, if the information obtained from other tests is not clear enough, it is done to finally get a definitive answer.
What diseases does this test look for?
Because this test takes the baby's blood directly, it can accurately identify several blood-related and genetic problems.
| Identification status | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Anemia | A decrease in the number of healthy red blood cells in the baby's body. We simply call this "anemia." |
| Thrombocytopenia | Decrease in the number of platelets, cells that help blood clot. |
| Other blood disorders | For example, conditions like fetal hemolytic disease, a disease in which the baby's red blood cells break down quickly. |
| Chromosomal abnormalities | Changes in the baby's genes. For example, conditions like Down syndrome can be accurately identified through this. |
| Infections | It is possible to know exactly whether infections such as toxoplasmosis or rubella, which can be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy, will affect the baby. |
| Isoimmunization | This occurs when the mother and baby's blood types (especially the Rh factor) are incompatible, causing the mother's antibodies to affect the baby. This can be dangerous for the baby. |
When is this test done?
This test can usually be done any time after 17 weeks of pregnancy. It is done in a hospital by an obstetrician.
How should you prepare before the test?
Your doctor will explain this to you, but in general, you can expect things like this.
- Fasting: You may be asked not to eat or drink anything except water for a few hours before the test. This is to prepare you for an emergency C-section, in case the test requires an emergency.
- Antibiotics: To reduce the risk of infection, you may be given antibiotics before the test.
- A sample of your blood: A blood sample may also be taken from you to compare with the baby's blood.
- Take a loved one with you: To strengthen your resolve at a time like this, it's a good idea to take a loved one, like your husband, mother, or sister, with you as you drive home.
What happens during the test?
Knowing about this process in advance will help reduce your fear.
1. First, you will be asked to lie down on an examination bed and not move.
2. Then your stomach will be thoroughly cleansed.
3. To reduce the pain, you can inject a small amount of medicine to numb only the area where the needle is inserted.
4. Next, a gel is applied to your abdomen and an ultrasound machine is used to look inside your womb. This allows the doctor to see very clearly where the baby is, where the placenta is, and especially where the umbilical cord is.
5. Then, under the guidance of the scan, a very fine needle is carefully inserted through your abdomen into a blood vessel in the baby's umbilical cord. You may feel a slight stinging, pricking, or cramping sensation at this time.
6. Once the needle is in the correct place, the blood sample is taken and the needle is removed.
7. Finally, the collected blood sample is sent to the lab for testing.
The most important thing is that this entire process is done under a scan, so the doctor can clearly see where the needle is going and where the baby is. So this is a very controlled process.
What is the risk in this?
Cordocentesis is a slightly higher-risk test than other tests. That's why it's not done for everyone, and is only done in cases of emergency.
We must know this: There is a very small chance that 1 or 2 out of every 100 pregnancies that this test is performed will end in a miscarriage.
In addition to this main risk, there may be several other risks.
| Other risk factors | |
|---|---|
| Bleeding | Bleeding in the baby or mother from the needle insertion site. |
| Cord hematoma | A blood clot forms in the umbilical cord where the needle was inserted. |
| Baby's heart rate drops | A temporary decrease in the baby's heart rate during or after the test. |
| Infections | There is a very small chance of infection in the baby or the uterus. |
| Premature rupture of membranes | This may cause the baby to be born prematurely. |
Your doctor will discuss these risks with you clearly. You should only have this test if the benefits of the test outweigh the risks .
How long does it take for the results to come?
Results can usually be obtained within a few days.
When you get the results, your doctor and possibly a genetic counselor will explain what the results mean to you.
- If the results are normal: This means that the baby has no problems with the things tested. However, the baby's health will be monitored by continuing routine tests.
- If the results are abnormal: This means that the baby has a health problem, the doctor will talk to you about the next steps. This may include options such as treatment, giving the baby blood, or in some severe cases, terminating the pregnancy.
What time should I call the doctor after the examination?
After you go home from the test, you need to take extra care of yourself. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).
| Warning signs to look out for | |
|---|---|
| Fever or chills | This could be a sign of an infection. |
| Vaginal bleeding | If there is even a little bleeding, let me know immediately. |
| Water leaking from the water bag | If it comes out like a liquid from the vagina. |
| Stomach ache that lasts all day | A little pain after the test is normal, but it's not good if it persists or increases. |
| Decreased baby's movement | If you feel that your baby's movements are less than usual. |
Take-Home Message
- Cordocentesis is a very specialized test that involves taking blood from the umbilical cord of a baby in the womb.
- This is not a test for everyone. It is only done if other tests cannot provide definitive information.
- This allows you to obtain very accurate information about the baby's genetic diseases, blood diseases, and infections.
- There are some risks involved in this test, including miscarriage. Therefore, before having this done, discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor and make a decision.
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