The Privilege of Fast Results
Waiting for the results of an amniocentesis can seem like an eternity when you want immediate reassurance. The 7 to 12-day period is required for the laboratory to complete the culture and the chromosome analysis of the living fetal cells present in the amniotic fluid. Thanks to Amnio-Express^®, performed in conjunction with the amniocentesis, it is now possible to obtain results relative to the most prevalent chromosomal birth anomalies (trisomies 13, 18, 21, XXY and XO) within 48 working hours.

Ask for the Amnio-Express^® when having your amniocentesis
In order for you to benefit from the privilege of knowing about the state of your baby's health rapidly, it is important that you tell the physician who will be performing your amniocentesis that you want the Amnio-Express^®. Once notified of your wish for an Amnio-Express^®, the physician will take an additional 5 ml of amniotic fluid when drawing the fluid for the amniocentesis.

Results within 48 working hours
Specialists at PROCREA Cliniques will analyze your amniotic fluid sample using the FISH * technique, a cutting-edge technology. FISH technology is over 99.8% accurate. Even though it has been approved for commercial use throughout Canada and the United States, PROCREA Cliniques is one of the few clinics to offer it upon request as an "à la carte" service and in an express version providing results in only 48 working hours.

If you choose to have your amniocentesis done elsewhere than at a PROCREA Cliniques, you can still take advantage of the Amnio-Express® by asking your physician if he/she could send us a sample of your amniotic fluid so that our laboratories can go ahead with the analysis.

* FISH: The identification of the principal numerical chromosomal anomalies using the Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization technique.


Molecular cytogenetics, AneuVysion(tm) probe (Vysis), trisomy 21 example
(three red signals) Patient with Down Syndrome

Such a quick response is possible because a cell culture is not required for this type of analysis. Moreover, meeting the 48 working hour timeframe is a priority for our laboratory staff.

Understanding your results

When the results are reassuring, you will be notified by phone by PROCREA Cliniques. This is good news, because it means that your baby does not have one of the five most common chromosomal anomalies, which account for 90% of all anomalies registered at birth. Comforted by this reassuring news, both you and your spouse will now be able to serenely await the final results of the amniocentesis.

However, there is a remote possibility that one of the five most common chromosomal anomalies could be detected during the Amnio-Express^®. In such a case, your treating physician will be the first to be contacted, by phone and he/she will schedule an appointment to meet with you and your spouse as soon as possible. In some situations, the couple must wait for the results of the amniocentesis and others where they can already make an informed decision. Receiving such news is often quite distressing for couples, this is why it is essential to be surrounded by skilled professionals trained to counsel them and help guide them through the decision-making process of whether or not to continue the pregnancy.