4 min learnNew DelhiJul 14, 2026 11:00 PM IST
Actor Tannaz Irani lately opened up in regards to the realities of turning into a mom later in life, shedding mild on the nervousness surrounding prenatal testing throughout pregnancies after 40. Throughout an interview, she recalled present process amniocentesis, a diagnostic take a look at typically mentioned within the context of superior maternal age.
“Zias was born in my late 30s, however Zara was born in my 40s. So I needed to do an amniocentesis…I discovered when Madonna talked about it, saying, ‘I’m taking a take a look at.’..An extended needle comes, this huge. And it goes inside your stomach button. Proper, until the newborn. And so they gather a fluid. That’s how you discover out in case your youngster has Down syndrome or has a backbone drawback. As a result of they don’t need a youngster like this to be born… And the way will the kid dwell in right now’s day and age? It’s not honest to have a toddler like that. After 40, the risks are a bit of bit extra throughout childbirth. And if it turns into constructive, you can’t have the newborn. They may terminate the being pregnant,” she informed Hauterrfly.
DISCLAIMER: This text relies on data from the general public area and/or the consultants we spoke to. At all times seek the advice of your well being practitioner earlier than beginning any routine.
Whereas pregnancies after the age of 40 are related to the next threat of sure chromosomal circumstances, Dr Richa Bharadwaj, Guide Gynaecologist and Obstetrician at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, explains that maternal age alone is not the deciding issue for recommending amniocentesis.
“Being pregnant after 40 has the next probability of chromosomal circumstances like Down syndrome, so girls on this age group obtain detailed counselling and screening. Nevertheless, amniocentesis is just not automatically recommended for everyone based solely on age,” she says.
As an alternative, the choice relies on a number of components, together with:
- Outcomes of first-trimester screening
- Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
- Ultrasound findings
- Household historical past of genetic issues
- The couple’s preferences after counselling
“Since amniocentesis is an invasive take a look at, it’s often really helpful when there’s a important probability of a genetic situation or when mother and father need a definitive analysis,” Dr Bharadwaj provides.
What’s amniocentesis?
Dr Bharadwaj explains that amniocentesis entails accumulating a small pattern of amniotic fluid, which accommodates fetal cells that may be analysed within the laboratory.
“It may precisely diagnose chromosomal circumstances akin to Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome and Patau syndrome. It may additionally detect many inherited genetic issues when there’s a identified household threat,” she says.
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When mixed with specialised laboratory assessments, the process may assist establish neural tube defects, together with spina bifida. “It’s thought to be the diagnostic gold normal for a lot of chromosomal issues, with an accuracy exceeding 99% for these circumstances,” she provides.
Dr Bharadwaj additionally stresses that the process is mostly very protected. “There’s a small threat of miscarriage, an infection, amniotic fluid leakage or bleeding. Nevertheless, with present methods, the danger of being pregnant loss is estimated to be well under 1%,” she explains.
Does a constructive outcome imply the being pregnant must be terminated?
One of many greatest misconceptions, highlighted in Tannaz Irani’s remarks, is that an irregular amniocentesis outcome robotically results in termination of being pregnant.
Dr Bharadwaj stresses that this isn’t medically correct.”A constructive outcome doesn’t robotically imply {that a} being pregnant should be terminated. Amniocentesis offers data—it doesn’t make the choice,” she says.
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In response to her, a number of components affect what occurs subsequent, together with:
- The precise situation recognized
- How extreme the situation is
- Whether or not therapy is feasible earlier than or after start
- The infant’s anticipated high quality of life
- The stage of being pregnant
- The mother and father’ values, beliefs and needs
“Each case ought to contain detailed counselling with a fetal drugs specialist and a multidisciplinary workforce so that folks could make an knowledgeable and well-supported choice,” Dr Bharadwaj says.
DISCLAIMER: This text relies on data from the general public area and/or the consultants we spoke to. At all times seek the advice of your well being practitioner earlier than beginning any routine.
