Prenatal testing

When a mommy has a baby growing in her tummy, sometimes doctors want to check if the baby is healthy and growing okay. They do this by doing a few different tests while the baby is still in the mommy's tummy, before it's born.

One test is called an ultrasound. This is when the doctor uses a special machine with a wand that they rub on the mommy's tummy. The machine takes pictures of the baby and shows them on a screen. The doctor can look at the pictures and check if the baby is growing the way it should be and if its organs are developing okay.

Another test is called amniocentesis. This one is a little different and can only be done after the mommy has been pregnant for a while. The doctor takes a small sample of the fluid that's around the baby in the mommy's tummy. They use a thin needle to take the sample, but the mommy usually can't feel it. They then test the fluid to see if there are any genetic problems with the baby, or if there's anything else the doctor should know about.

There are some other types of prenatal testing too, but those are the main two. The tests can help doctors make sure the baby is healthy and plan for any special care that the baby might need when it's born.