At what stage of pregnancy is amniocentesis typically performed for potential genetic issues?

Amniocentesis is typically performed between the 16th and 20th weeks of pregnancy, making it the standard timeframe for assessing potential genetic issues. This timing allows for adequate fetal development to obtain a sample of amniotic fluid safely, which contains fetal cells that can be analyzed for chromosomal abnormalities and genetic disorders. Performing the procedure in this window also minimizes the risk of complications and increases the reliability of test results.

Options representing times outside of this range, such as early or late in pregnancy, either pose a higher risk to both the mother and baby or may not yield sufficient fetal material for testing. This is why the designated timeframe of 16 to 20 weeks is crucial for the effective and safe use of amniocentesis in genetic screenings.