The best time for cord blood puncture

Umbilical cord blood puncture is a common prenatal examination in clinical practice. Of course, ordinary expectant mothers do not need to do this examination. However, if there are other special circumstances, such as suspicion that the fetus in the womb is unhealthy, has anemia, viral infection, deformity, etc., it is necessary to check and make timely treatment to reduce adverse effects. So what is the best time for cord blood puncture? What are the precautions for umbilical cord blood puncture? Let’s take a brief look at it together.

When is cord blood puncture performed?

Umbilical cord blood testing can be done for high-risk cases where the amniotic fluid test is missed, cases of fetal malformation, cases of suspected viral infection, suspected cases of fetal anemia, etc. The surgery can be performed any time after 20 weeks of gestation, usually between 26 and 30 weeks of gestation.

Generally, amniotic fluid culture takes up to 3 weeks, and the results can be available in about 2 weeks. During the waiting period, pregnant women do not need to make any special preparations. I personally believe that pregnant women and their family members should do some corresponding homework about Down syndrome, understand the symptoms of Down syndrome, their way of survival, and how to educate such children. They should even be mentally prepared for how to deal with children with Down syndrome, etc. This is to avoid the pregnant woman and her family being at a loss if the culture result is positive.

Generally, amniotic fluid culture takes up to 3 weeks, and the results are usually available in about 2 weeks. During the waiting period, pregnant women do not need to make any special preparations, but I personally believe that pregnant women and their family members should do some corresponding homework about Down syndrome, understand the symptoms of Down syndrome, their way of survival, and how to educate such children. They should even be mentally prepared for how to deal with children with Down syndrome, etc. This is to avoid the pregnant woman and her family being at a loss if the culture result is positive.

The principle of cord blood puncture is the same as that of amniocentesis, except that the puncture site is different. However, it requires a higher technical level of the doctor because the umbilical cord floats in the amniotic fluid. It must be performed by an experienced doctor, especially when performing intrauterine fetal blood transfusion, which requires a well-trained team of doctors to carry out.

Introduction to Umbilical Cord Blood Collection

This is a procedure similar to acupuncture in the muscle. If you relax during the procedure, you will not feel any noticeable pain. At the same time, the operation generally requires to be performed by a doctor with experience and qualifications in prenatal diagnosis. The puncture operation itself is a minor operation with low risk, so there is no need to worry too much. Puncture plays an irreplaceable role in diagnosing the development and health status of the fetus in the womb. Umbilical cord blood puncture and amniocentesis chromosome testing can both check whether the fetal spine has any deformities. The location of umbilical cord puncture is determined by the position of the placenta. The part free in the amniotic fluid can be punctured, or the root of the umbilical cord on the fetal side or on the placental side can be punctured. Most people choose to puncture the umbilical vein. The method is basically the same as amniocentesis, except that the puncture site is different.

After visiting the genetic counseling clinic, the doctor determines the pregnant woman who needs to undergo cord blood testing. Umbilical cord blood testing can be performed in high-risk cases where the amniotic fluid test is missed, cases of fetal malformation, cases of suspected viral infection, cases of suspected fetal anemia, etc. The surgery can be performed any time after 20 weeks of gestation, usually between 26 and 30 weeks of gestation.

In the genetic counseling clinic, the treating physician will issue a relevant application form and sign an informed consent form for cord blood puncture and related examinations. Enter the B-ultrasound room, take off your shoes, lie on the bed, and the doctor will ask you to wear an oxygen mask for oxygen inhalation. The doctor turned on the B-ultrasound machine to monitor the fetal heart rate, determine the fetus's position, and find the exact location for the injection.