Saline amniocentesis or salt poisoning is used after 16 weeks of pregnancy when enough fluid has accumulated in the amniotic sac around the baby. A needle is inserted through the mother's abdomen directly into the sac, and a solution of concentrated salt is injected into it. The salt burns the baby's skin and, as the baby breathes in the fluid and swallows it, the baby is poisoned. After about an hour the baby will stop kicking and the mother goes home, where she will go into labor and deliver a dead baby usually about 36 hours later, though sometimes it may take up to 72 hours. (11) Occasionally, a baby will survive salt poisons and be born alive.