Why?

You may have been offered an amniocentesis because:

• Your screening test shows you have more than a one in 250 chance (0.4%) of having a baby with Down’s syndrome (see below);

• The ultrasound scan shows that your baby may have an increased chance of having abnormal chromosomes (see below).

• There is an inherited disorder in your family;

• You have had a child or previous pregnancy with a chromosome disorder;

• You have an inherited condition.

There is an inherited disorder in your family;

There are thousands of inherited disorders. In many cases, genetic tests may give more information on the chromosome problem that has already occurred in your family. Before any test is done, you may need to spend time with the genetics team to make sure the test will be of value to you. Not all of the conditions can be tested for.

You had a child or previous pregnancy with a chromosome disorder;

A chromosome problem has been inherited from a parent to a fœtus/child previously. Some chromosome disorders can happen again in families. You will be able to discuss this with a geneticist. Some conditions are more likely to re-occur. For some conditions there is no test available.

You have an inherited condition;

You or your partner carry an inherited condition which may be passed onto your baby. You will be able to discuss this with a geneticist