Expectant mothers have the opportunity to have various examinations carried out as part of prenatal diagnostics during pregnancy. This includes cordocentesis (umbilical cord blood sampling), in which a small amount of blood is taken from the umbilical cord with a needle. The blood can then be examined and various diseases can be detected even before birth.
In this post, you will find out exactly what cordocentesis is, why it is performed, and how the procedure works. We also summarize for you the risks and possible complications associated with cordocentesis.
What is cordocentesis?
Cordocentesis is a voluntary examination that is part of invasive prenatal diagnostics. Under continuous ultrasound control, your doctor takes a small amount of blood from the umbilical cord. The blood is then subjected to various tests in the laboratory.
Various blood values can be determined. As a rule, an extensive blood count is prepared, in which the proportion of platelets, lymphocytes, and erythrocytes is determined. The blood group, hemoglobin value, and certain antibodies can also be determined as part of the blood analysis.
In addition, the chromosomes of the unborn fetus can also be examined. For this purpose, fetal cells are enriched and then examined for their genetic material.
It is important to note that cordocentesis is a voluntary examination. It is not part of standard prenatal care and can therefore be declined by expectant parents.
Diagnostics: Why is the examination performed?
Cordocentesis is usually performed when there are indications of a childhood illness. This could be reliably diagnosed or ruled out as part of the examination. The most common diseases that can be detected include the following:
Anemia:
Doctors can detect early signs of anemia in unborn babies via ultrasound. This initial suspicion can be confirmed or refuted by cordocentesis. In severe cases, babies can receive transfusions while still in the womb to combat anemia.
Infections:
Unborn babies can suffer from various infections. These include toxoplasmosis, fifth disease, and rubella. They can be detected via cordocentesis.
Rhesus blood group incompatibility:
If an expectant mother's blood is Rhesus negative, the baby can still have a positive Rhesus factor. This was then inherited from the father. This leads to a blood group incompatibility between mother and child, which can be treated with injections.
As part of cordocentesis, the baby's chromosomes can also be examined and tested for hereditary diseases. However, if a chromosomal disorder is suspected, an amniocentesis is more likely to be recommended.
How does the umbilical cord sampling work?
For cordocentesis, you go to a specialized clinic. After a detailed preliminary talk, an ultrasound is first performed. The position of the child is examined and the safest place for the procedure is identified. The intended site is then marked and disinfected.
The doctor then carefully inserts a thin hollow needle through the abdominal wall into the amniotic sac and then into the umbilical vein. There, they take a blood sample and then carefully remove the needle. During the entire procedure, the position of the needle is monitored by ultrasound.
After the outpatient procedure, you must first remain in the clinic. After about 30 minutes, your doctor will check again how your baby is doing. You can then go home and should take it easy for the rest of the day.
The result of the cordocentesis is usually available after a few days.
What risks are associated with the examination?
Cordocentesis is only performed on medical advice. Compared to other examinations, it is associated with a slightly higher risk. A common complication is uterine contractions. Premature labor or infections via the thin needle are also possible. In the worst case, bleeding or miscarriage can even occur.
However, the prenatal diagnostic examination also offers opportunities. Your doctor receives an accurate result through the sampling, as they examine the child's blood directly. In this way, health problems can be detected while still in the womb. Many of these can be treated well today with medication or injections.
However, you should also be prepared for the fact that untreatable diseases can be detected during the examination. These include, in particular, chromosomal disorders in the child. As expectant parents, you should therefore take sufficient time and think about whether you want to have the examination carried out.
Contact your doctor with any questions and concerns: they will inform you about the benefits and possible risks of cordocentesis before the treatment.
Prenatal diagnostics include numerous other examinations that can be carried out on medical advice.
Automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep: For restful childhood sleep
For parents, the findings of cordocentesis are often a relief. Because after examining the child's blood, they finally have certainty about how their unborn child is doing. Thanks to modern medicine, many childhood diseases can be treated while still in the womb.
Afterwards, you can finally focus on the preparations for your baby's arrival. Many newborns have difficulty falling asleep. They find it hard to find peace and fall asleep – even though they are tired and need the sleep. The intelligent automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep can support you in this.
You place your baby in the cozy hammock: there it is snugly enclosed and feels just like in the womb. In addition, it is protected from light and noise and can find peace more easily. Then you turn on the automatic baby hammock motor. It rocks your baby to sleep with gentle up and down movements. This feeling reminds your baby of the time in the womb, when it perceived your steps in a similar way. It feels particularly secure and can therefore fall asleep and sleep through better.
You can easily control the automatic baby hammock motor via an app and also receive push notifications on your smartphone if your baby wakes up or unusual movements are detected. For this purpose, the hammock is equipped with motion sensors: these allow the motor to adapt its movements to your baby. If it wakes up, the intensity can be adjusted and the baby can be rocked back to sleep.
Would you like to offer your baby a place to sleep where it feels really secure and can find peace more easily? Then the automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep is a good choice.
Conclusion: Cordocentesis is not without risk, but can help your baby
The decision for or against cordocentesis must be made individually by each pair of parents. The procedure is completely voluntary and can be declined by you if you do not feel comfortable with it. It should be a free decision that you make in consultation with your doctors. If you are pregnant, you should weigh the risks and benefits of the examination.
If you have already completed the procedure and would like to prepare everything for your baby's arrival, you should take a look at the automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep. It can help your baby fall asleep more easily and sleep through better.
