Amniocentesis Center - Westfield, MA
Westfield Obstetrician-Gynecologist Doctors for AmniocentesisType 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 Westfield * Womens Health Associates  RiverBend Medical Group  RiverBend Medical Group  Brightwood Health Center  Valley Womens Health Group  Valley Womens Health Group  Valley Womens Health Group  Valley Womens Health Group  Valley Womens Health Group  Valley Womens Health Group  Valley Womens Health Group  Valley Women's Health Group LLC  Valley Women's Health Group LLC  Valley Women's Health Group LLC  Valley Women's Health Group LLC  Fitzpatrick Moran Costa & Haag-Rickert MDs  Fitzpatrick Moran Costa & Haag-Rickert MDs  Fitzpatrick Moran Costa & Haag-Rickert MDs  Fitzpatrick Moran Costa & Haag-Rickert MDs  Women's Health & Education Center  Western Mass ObGyn  RiverBend Medical Group Chicopee Office  RiverBend Medical Group Chicopee Office  Wesson Womens Group  Wesson Womens Group  Wesson Womens Group  Baystate Health Center Generalist Division Gynecology  Wesson Womens Group  Counseling & Gynecology Group  Robert S Howe MD  RiverBend Medical Group  RiverBend Medical Group  Northhampton Ob/Gyn Associates Inc  Northhampton Ob/Gyn Associates Inc  Northhampton Ob/Gyn Associates Inc  Tucker Kueny MD  Hampshire Ob/Gyn  Hampshire Ob/Gyn  Hampshire Ob/Gyn  Hampshire Ob/Gyn  Hampshire Ob/Gyn  Womencare  Womencare  Baystate Medical Practices Mary Lane Ob/Gyn  Richard C McGinn MD  William E Callahan MD  Pioneer Womens Health  Pioneer Womens Health  Pioneer Womens Health  North Quabbin Family Practice  Southbridge Ob/Gyn  Southbridge Ob/Gyn  Southbridge Ob/Gyn  Heywood Health Center for Women  Heywood Health Center for Women  Heywood Health Center for Women  Berkshire Ob/Gyn Associates PC  Berkshire Ob/Gyn Associates PC  Berkshire Ob/Gyn Associates PC  Berkshire Ob/Gyn Associates PC  Berkshire Ob/Gyn Associates PC  Berkshire Ob/Gyn Associates PC  Barrington Ob/Gyn  Barrington Ob/Gyn  Ob/Gyn Associates  Fallon Medical Center OB/GYN  Womens Health Of Central MA  Womens Health Of Central MA  Womens Health Of Central MA  Womens Health Of Central MA  Womens Health Of Central MA  Womens Health Of Central MA  Womens Health Of Central MA  Womens Health Of Central MA  Farricy & Kraft MDs  Neary Hunter Ob/Gyn  Fallon Clinic  Neary Hunter Ob/Gyn  Mary E Scannell MD PC  Mary E Scannell MD PC  Mary E Scannell MD PC  Mary E Scannell MD PC  Lincoln Street Ob/Gyn Associates  Lincoln Street Ob/Gyn Associates  Lincoln Street Ob/Gyn Associates  Lincoln Street Ob/Gyn Associates  Lincoln Street Ob/Gyn Associates  Central Massachusetts Ob/Gyn  Central Massachusetts Ob/Gyn  Central Massachusetts Ob/Gyn  Central Massachusetts Ob/Gyn  Alan J Albert MD  UMass Memorial Medical Center OB/GYN  UMass Memorial OB/GYN Reproductive Center  Mark A Aversa MD PC  UMass Memorial Medical Center OB/GYN  UMass Memorial Medical Center OB/GYN  UMass Memorial Medical Center OB/GYN  UMass Memorial Medical Center OB/GYN  UMass Memorial OB/GYN Reproductive Center Westfield, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-05-26
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AmniocentesisRead the Amniocentesis article » 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 AmniocentesisIntroductionWhile 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... Other Related Amniocentesis ArticlesEmergency Contact for Westfield
Nearby Westfield Hospitals *Western Massachusetts Hospital Baystate Medical Center Mercy Medical Center Weldon Rehabilitation Hospital Shriners Hospital for Children Noble Hospital Providence Hospital Kindred Hospital Park View Holyoke Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts Cooley Dickinson Hospital Northampton VA Medical Center Wing Memorial Hospital & Medical Center Johnson Memorial Hospital Rockville General Hospital St Francis Care Hospital Mount Sinai Campus The Hospital at Hebrew Healthcare Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital St Francis Hospital & Medical Center Manchester Memorial Hospital Baystate Mary Lane Hospital Hungerford Emergency & Medical Care Connecticut Children's Medical Center Hartford Hospital Institute of Living Hartford Hospital University of Connecticut Health Center John Dempsey VA Connecticut Healthcare System Newington Campus Cedarcrest Hospital Hospital for Special Care The Hospital of Central Connecticut New Britain Campus Veterans Home & Hospital Rocky Hill Harrington Memorial Hospital Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Bristol Hospital Franklin Medical Center Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Amniocentesis by Our Doctors
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Pregnancy Planning
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Pregnancy Basics
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Pregnancy and Drugs (Prescription and OTC)
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Pregnancy (Stages - Trimesters of Pregnancy)
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Medications
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Procedures & Tests
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