Technique and experience with transabdominal amniocentesis in 50 normal patients

1.1. Experience with transabdominal amniocentesis in 50 normal patients ranging from 20 to 40 weeks of gestation is described. Forty-six of the taps were successful and 4 were unsuccessful.2.2. A technique for performing the procedure is described in detail. Novocain, injected locally, was used for anesthesia.3.3. No serious maternal or fetal complications resulted directly from transabdominal amniocentesis in our 50 patients.4.4. This procedure provides an experimental, diagnostic, and therapeutic means of studying amniotic fluid.