What does amniocentesis involve?

Amniocentesis is a medical procedure in which a thin needle is inserted through the abdominal wall into the uterus to collect a sample of amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus. This fluid contains cells shed by the fetus, allowing for genetic and biochemical testing. It is typically conducted during the second trimester of pregnancy and can provide important diagnostic information regarding genetic disorders, fetal infections, and certain conditions that might affect the pregnancy.

The options that do not align with amniocentesis involve different medical procedures: laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical technique; performing an ultrasound relates to imaging techniques used to visualize the fetus and monitor pregnancy but does not involve fluid sampling; and administering an epidural is a method of providing pain relief during labor. Each of these procedures serves a different purpose and holds no relation to the process of sampling amniotic fluid, which is the fundamental aspect of amniocentesis.