Provided by Kidspot

You

Around this time your doctor may recommend you have an amniocentesis test if you and your partner's genetic history puts you in a high risk category or you are over the age of 37. This safe test checks your amniotic fluid for certain chromosomal abnormalities present in your baby such as Down syndrome or hereditary conditions such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and skeletal dysplasia.

If you have the test you will visit hospital as an outpatient and the whole procedure takes no more than 30 minutes. It begins with a technician performing an ultrasound to locate baby's position, ensuring the technician stays well clear of your baby as he or she uses a needle to extract a small amount of amniotic fluid. The fluid is then sent to a lab and you should have your results within two weeks. A negative result excludes only the condition for which the test was performed. Unfortunately, there is no test to exclude all pregnancy abnormalities.

Your Baby

Baby will begin looking more like a baby this week and less like an alien, now he is 13 cm long and weighs 140 grams. His eyes will have moved to the front of his face and be completely forward looking. His eyelids are still tightly fused shut but his eyes are continuing to form underneath. It will be a few more weeks before his eyelids open, blink or remain open. Your baby's body is becoming more in proportion to what he will be at birth.

Pregnancy Planning From Kidspot

• Looking after your pregnancy health
• Buy pre-loved pregnancy and baby goods
• Read our guide to the best pregnancy books

Pregnancy Week By Week

• First Trimester weeks 6 - 13
• Second Trimester weeks 14 - 26
• Third Trimester weeks 27 - 41

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