Percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS)
In PUBS, 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Blood can be withdrawn from the umbilical vein at the point where the umbilical cord inserts (goes) into the placenta.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.
PUBS is a technique used both for prenatal diagnosis and prenatal treatment of the fetus