Technique used both for prenatal diagnosis and prenatal treatment of the fetus. A needle is inserted through the mother's abdominal wall and the uterine wall. Blood can be withdrawn from the umbilical vein at the point where the umbilical cord inserts (goes) into the placenta. Blood may also be taken from the umbilical vein on its way to the fetal liver.
Percutaneous Umbilical Blood Sampling
[pur-kyoo-tey-nee-uhs uhm-bil-i-kuhl bluhd sam-puhl-ing]