An obstetrician knows that one of her patients is a pregnant woman whose fetus is at risk for a serious disorder that is detectable biochemically in fetal cells. The obstetrician would most reasonably offer which of the following procedures to her patient?

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Amniocentesis involves removing a small sample of the amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus and analyzing the fetal cells present in the fluid. This procedure is commonly used to detect chromosomal abnormalities and biochemical disorders in the fetus. CVS (choorionic villus sampling) is another option for detecting fetal disorders, but it is typically performed earlier in the pregnancy and carries a higher risk of complications. Ultrasound imaging and fetoscopy are useful for visualizing the fetus, but they cannot provide information about biochemical abnormalities. X-rays are not used during pregnancy due to the risk of radiation exposure to the fetus.

An Obstetrician Knows That One of Her Patients Is a Pregnant