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Amniocentesis Center - Casper, WY

Casper Obstetrician-Gynecologist Doctors for Amniocentesis

Type of Physician: Obstetrician-Gynecologist

What is a Obstetrician-Gynecologist?

A certification by the Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology; practitioners provide medical and surgical care of the female reproductive system and associated disorders, to the extent that it distinguishes them from other physicians. This training enables them to serve as consultants to other physicians and as primary physicians for women.

Specialty: Obstetrics & Gynecology

Common Name: Ob/Gyn or Ob-Gyn

Obstetrician-Gynecologist Doctors in Casper *

Women's Health Associates of Wyoming
Sam T Scaling
1125 E 2nd St
Casper, WY 82601
(307) 577-4225

Women's Health Associates of Wyoming
Laura Smothers
1125 E 2nd St
Casper, WY 82601
(307) 577-4225

Jodi Kaigh MD
Jodi Kaigh
1204 E 2nd St
Casper, WY 82601
(307) 234-7400

Casper Ob/GYN
Jack V Richard
167 S Conwell
Casper, WY 82601
(307) 234-6988

Casper Ob/GYN
Ben W Sheppard
167 S Conwell
Casper, WY 82601
(307) 234-6988

Hugh DePaolo, MD
Hugh DePaolo
1450 E. A St
Casper, WY 82601
(307) 235-1503

Casper, Wyoming

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Amniocentesis

What is amniocentesis?

Amniocentesis is a procedure whereby a sample of fluid is removed from the amniotic sac for analysis. The amniotic sac is in the uterine cavity. The amniotic sac is the fluid-filled structure inside the pregnant uterus within which the baby lives. Fetal cells, proteins, and fetal urine freely move within this sac.

During amniocentesis, fluid is removed by placing a long needle through the abdominal wall into amniotic sac. Sometimes, the woman's skin is injected first with a local anesthetic, but this is not usually necessary. The amniocentesis needle is typically guided into the sac with the help of ultrasound imaging performed either prior to or during the procedure. Once the needle is in the sac, a syringe is used to withdraw the clear amber-colored amniotic fluid, resembling urine. The volume of fluid withdrawn depends upon the age of the fetus and the reason for the testing.

The fluid can then be sent for evaluation of fetal lung maturity, genetic evaluation, evidence of spina bifida (a birth defect in spinal cord development) or other neural-tube defects, the presence of infection, or chromosome analysis. Chromosomes are structures that contain all of the genetic information in our cells. The amniotic fluid contains numerous free-floating fetal cells that can be grown in a laboratory. When these cells multiply and reach a certain number, their chromosomes are extracted and analyzed. It takes about two weeks to perform chromosome analysis. The fluid also contains proteins, minerals and other compounds that can be tested, and these studies may take 1 to 7 days to perform. Data obtained from amniotic fluid can help women make informed decisions regarding their pregnancies and babies.

For most patients, amniocentesis is a fairly quick and comfortable procedure. Some women experience some uterine cramping or a feeling of faintness.

Who is a candidate for amniocentesis?...

Recommended Reading Related to Amniocentesis

Ultrasound »

Introduction

While the patient's history and physical examination are the building blocks of making a medical diagnosis, the ability to peer inside the body can be a powerful tool. Ultrasound is an imaging technique that provides that ability to medical practitioners.

What is an ultrasound?

Ultrasound produces sound waves that are beamed into the body causing return echoes that are recorded to "visualize" structures beneath the skin. The ability to measure different echoes reflected from a variety of tissues allows a shadow picture to be constructed. The technology is especially accurate at seeing the interface between solid and fluid filled spaces. These are actually the same principles that allow SONAR on boats to see the bottom of the ocean.

What is ultrasonography?

Ultrasonography is body imaging using ultrasound in medical diagnosis. A skilled ultrasound technician is able to...

Emergency Contact for Casper

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Casper Hospitals *

Wyoming Medical Center
1233 E 2nd St
Casper, WY 82601
(307)577-7201

Wyoming Behavioral Institute
2521 E 15th St
Casper, WY 82609
(307)237-7444

Mountain View Regional Hospital
6550 E 2nd St
Casper, WY 82609
(307)995-8100

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