PUBS (percutaneous umbilical blood sampling)
In PUBS, a needle is inserted through the mother's abdominal wall and the uterine wall and usually blood is withdrawn from the umbilical vein where the umbilical cord inserts into the placenta.
Blood may also be withdrawn from the umbilical vein on its way to the fetal liver such as in situations where the fetus is between a posterior placental insertion and the maternal abdomen.
PUBS is a technique used both in prenatal diagnosis and prenatal treatment of the fetus