Shipping Instructions

Advise Express Mail or equivalent if not on courier service.

Necessary Information

Provide a reason for testing with each specimen. The laboratory will not reject testing if this information is not provided, but appropriate testing and interpretation may be compromised or delayed.

The additional tests desired must be indicated on the request form that accompanies the specimen.

Specimen Required

Optimal timing for specimen collection is during 14 to 18 weeks of gestation, but specimens collected at other weeks of gestation are also accepted.

Container/Tube: Amniotic fluid container

Specimen Volume: 5 to 10 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Discard the first 2 mL of amniotic fluid. If the culture will be performed in conjunction with other cytogenetic testing, such as CHRAF / Chromosome Analysis, Amniotic Fluid or CMAP / Chromosomal Microarray, Prenatal, Amniotic Fluid/Chorionic Villus Sampling, a total of 25 to 30 mL will be needed.

4. Unavoidably, about 1% to 2% of mailed-in specimens are not viable.

5. Bloody specimens are undesirable.