Amniocentesis is performed between:

Explanation

Amniocentesis is a prenatal diagnostic procedure performed between the 16th and 18th weeks of gestation. This timing ensures there is enough amniotic fluid for sampling, which is critical for analyzing the genetic health of the fetus. Performing amniocentesis earlier, such as in the 1st or 2nd week, is not feasible due to insufficient amniotic fluid. Later stages, such as the 30th week onwards, are not ideal for this procedure as the primary aim is to diagnose potential issues earlier in the pregnancy. Conducting this procedure post-delivery is impossible as it is specifically a prenatal test.