AFTER AMNIOCENTESIS / CHORIONIC VILLOUS SAMPLING (CVS)
REST
REST IS RECOMMENDED BUT THERE IS NO SCIENTIFIC PROOF THIS HAS BENEFIT. OUR ADVICE IS TO REST FOR 2 DAYS TO FACILITATE HEALING. FEEL FREE TO MOVE ABOUT THE HOUSE BUT KEEP YOURSELF RELAXED AND AVOID HEAVY LIFTING. THE DOCTOR SHOULD HAVE PRESCRIBED A MEDICAL LEAVE.
PAIN
THE PROCEDURE IS ASSOCIATED WITH MINIMAL DISCOMFORT. VERY RARELY IS PAIN KILLER REQUIRED. PARACETAMOL CAN BE SAFELY TAKEN AT A DOSE OF 1g EVERY 6 HOURS. IF THE PAIN IS SEVERE AND WORSENING DESPITE PARACETAMOL THEN CONSIDER GOING BACK TO THE DOCTOR OR MEDICAL CENTRE.
DIET
YOU CAN HAVE ANYTHING YOU PREFER. THERE ARE NO DIETARY RESTRICTIONS AFTER AMNIOCENTESIS / CVS. KEEP TO THE GENERAL PREGNANCY DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS.
MISCARRIAGE
THERE IS A SMALL 0.5-1% RISK. SYMPTOMS INCLUDE LOWER TUMMY PAINS/CRAMPS WORSENING IN NATURE, VAGINAL DISCHARGE OF FLUIDS AND/OR BLOOD AND PASSING OF CLOTS. FEVER CAN SOMETIMES OCCUR. IF THE PAIN DOES NOT SUBSIDE AFTER 2 DOSES OF PARACETAMOL / IF BLEEDING REQUIRES CHANGING OF PADS EVERY HOUR FOR THE PAST 3 HOURS THEN SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION - return to hospital
REVIEW
IT IS USUAL FOR A REVIEW IN ONE WEEK TIME AS THE DOCTOR WOULD LIKE TO SEE HOW YOU ARE GETTING ON. SOME OF THE RESULTS MAY BE READY FOR DISCUSSION TOO.