Brief Answer: AMNIOCENTESIS TEST SHOULD BE DONE TO CONFIRM. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for writing to us. Followings are my comments: 1) Amniocentesis is performed between the 15th and 20th week of pregnancy and it has some MINOR complication like preterm labor and delivery (less than 0.05% as per recent study), respiratory distress, fetal trauma, Chorioamnionitis. However, it varies from patient to patient and depends on doctor's procedure. 2) YES, this test is QUITE reliable. It can detect various chromosomal disorder and fetal problems like Down Syndrome, Trisomy 13 or 18, Neural Tube Defect, Lung maturity, Infection, Rh incompatibility etc. However, NOT a single test procedure CAN detect all chromosomal abnormality (100%) during pregnancy. It helps to rule out MOST chromosomal defects. Amniocentesis is a CONFIRMATORY test for Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21) and I suggest to undergo the test as there is some risk shows in previous test. 3) It is a basically Out Door procedure and done under guidance of ultrasound. It hardly takes 30 min to 1 hr to complete and sampling. You must read your health policy term and contact with their agent if this test is included in policy. Healthy policy term varies from company to company. 4) She must take adequate bed rest and drink more water to stay hydrated before testing day. Hope, I have answered your query. Kindly, close the discussion if you don't have any other query. Wish her good health and successful motherhood. Regards, Dr Soumen You can revert back to me directly through http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=63326

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