Is amniocentesis painful?

Most women describe it as uncomfortable rather than painful, and considerably less bad than they expected. What it feels like: a sharp scratch as the needle passes through the skin, then a sensation of pressure or cramping while the fluid is drawn. The whole procedure takes only a few minutes, and the needle itself is in place for well under a minute. Local anaesthetic is sometimes used, though many units find the injection itself is comparable to the procedure, so practice varies. Ask what your unit does. Afterwards, mild cramping for a day or so is common. You will usually be advised to take it easy for the rest of the day, though normal activity can generally resume the next day. Ask your unit for their specific advice. Contact your unit if you develop significant pain, fever, leaking fluid, or bleeding. What most women find harder than the physical sensation is the anxiety beforehand and the wait for results afterwards. If you are apprehensive, it is reasonable to ask whether you can bring someone with you, and to ask the operator to explain what they are doing as they go. The procedure is performed with continuous ultrasound guidance throughout, so the needle position is watched at all times and the baby is not touched. Some women find watching the screen reassuring; others prefer not to. Either is fine.

On risk, since it is usually the real worry underneath: RCOG guidance states the additional risk of miscarriage following amniocentesis by an appropriately trained operator is likely to be below 0.5% — lower than the 1 in 100 figure often quoted. Ask your unit their own audited rate and how many procedures the operator performs each year.