Please tell me your experience with CVS

[HaikuMommy]

I'm interested to know whether CVS is something I want to consider or not. Why was it recommended for you? What was it like? What were the results and what did you do with them? I'm 39, pregnant, and curious whether this is something I would even consider if I get worrisone results from nuchal translucency and AFP tests. Thanks so much!

[lmk1]

My friend got it because she had worrisome NT results. The CVS showed that everything was fine. You can only get it until 12weeks, so are you sure you can still do it? The CVS was our contingency plan in case the NT wasn't good, otherwise we're going with the amnio. Just got our NT results today, and they're fine....although if the u/s tech had told at the appointment that the translucency was too big or if there was no nasal bone, I would've schedule the CVS appointment then instead of waiting a week for the official results.

[CorasMama]

Actually, you can get a CVS later than 12 weeks, at least 14/15 weeks. If I had it to do over again, I'd wait for an amnio instead. CVS hurts way more than an amnio. But I was not going to terminate, regardless, so that plays a part in the CVS v. amnio decision.

[CorasMama]

Oh, and to answer another question, it was offered to us because she had a 30% chance of having one of the bad chromosomal anomalies, because of the omphalocele. We wouldn't have done it if the chances were greater than the risk of miscarriage with a cvs.

[bizzylizzy]

I chose to have a CVS for my first pregnancy at age 35 b/c I had one chance for early genetic screening as I was living overseas and didn't have time to do u/s and beta screen followed by a procedure. There might have been some providence involved as, sadly, our baby had Trisomy 18 and we had decided to terminate in this instance. I found the best doc at the local teaching hospital. They were able to do the test cervically and I found there was very little discomfort or bleeding. This doctor had a 1:300 miscarriage rate. It should also be noted that it is hard to tease out of the miscarriage rates those that would have miscarried even if the CVS had not been performed.

I wanted definitive results for our current pregnancy (after two miscarriages following the termination) now at age 37 so I opted for the CVS without the Nuchal screen and beta. I was able to see the same perinatologist and again they were able to do the procedure cervically. The results were positive and very fast.

[CorasMama]

I'm so sorry for your losses, bizzylizzy. Your latest test that you say is positive, is that positive=good?

[neonalee]

I just had this done 2 weeks ago, I think I was at 13 weeks. I had it done because I'm 36 and because I wanted to. I had a great doc in a great hospital. The genetic counselor we talked to beforehand was also great. Explained what it was for, not for, etc. She was very kind. One thing I didn't know was that some of the other things they check for other then Downs would cause either late term miscarriages, or if the baby was birthed with the defect it wouldn't survive the day. If I had been at all unsure of my decision before (I wasn't) that would have decided me. I knew I wanted the CVS because of how early in the pregnancy it is, and also because it 'seemed' a better choice based on where the tissue was taken from; I have absolutely no real reason to back up that 'feeling', it's purely my uninformed opinion.

They were also running a study at my hospital for a bunch of other chromosomal things. They would just take whatever was leftover from the CVS, so nothing extra for me to do, and I elected to go ahead with that also. They are trying to prove to the insurance compaines that this was a good test to cover. Those and my CVS all came back clear.

As for the test itself, yes, it hurt. Because of the baby's placement they had to go through the abdomen. This is my first and I've never had amnio, but I don't understand why one would hurt more then the other? But it's not something I've looked into either. The CVS hurt enough that I jumped a little. The procedure and pain was brief enough though and I would make the same decision again. I didn't have any complications other then being more worn out then usual. I have RH negative blood so afterward I had to go over to my MW office (only 2 blocks away) for a shot of ... uh ... something, I forgot what it was for. DP didn't even let me fill our 1 gallon humidifier that night. I also got a bunch of ultrasound pictures

HTH

[bizzylizzy]

Oh, yes. I should have specified. The genetic test came back with normal chromosomes, so as far as the test, we expect a healthy baby. Thanks!

[NicolleLynne]

Hi Mama,

I've had two CVS tests.

The first time my OB brought it up due to my age (thirty eight at the time) and some genetic issues on my husband's side of the family. I went with the perinatologist my OB recommended and had the trans-abdominal procedure. It was fairly uncomfortable, though I wouldn't go so far as to say it was painful. I had no ill effects afterward and got the results six days later. They were not good. My baby had triploidy (a full set of extra chromosomes). I'll never forget hearing my OB say, "This is a condition incompatible with life". We decided to terminate the pregnancy at 12 weeks.

After that I had a missed miscarriage and then conceived the little one I'm carrying now (I'm currently 23 weeks). Right away I knew I wanted another CVS. I'm just a "have to know" kind of person and given my history, I knew I wouldn't be able to enjoy my pregnancy otherwise.

The second time I did a bit more research and went to a perinatologist who specializes in CVS, Dr. John Williams of Cedars Sinai Los Angeles. He's done over 15,000 procedures and I felt the difference. He also went through the abdomen but I felt almost nothing. He had the needle in and out in less than a minute. Even my husband, who held my hand through both procedures, commented on how much faster Dr.Williams was and how much more relaxed my face looked. I was so anxious, I opted for the rapid, FISH results, which are available in three days and only look for the most common trisomies and the sex chromosomes. Just as I'll never forget receiving heartbreaking news the first time, I'll also never forget hearing the good news that I was carrying a healthy baby girl this time around. It was such a happy day.

I sincerely hope you get good results from your non-invasive testing and won't have to consider CVS but if you do I would suggest:

1. Even if you're undecided about having the procedure, take advantage of the genetic counseling that's offered beforehand. Both counselors I met with were exceptionally kind, compassionate and most importantly knowledgeable. There is a lot of good information on the net but there's also a lot of contradictions and outdated facts. The genetic counselors have the latest information and will answer all your questions without bias.

2. Find the most experienced provider possible to do your procedure. Both of the perinatologists I had were competent but the difference with Dr. Williams was substantial. Also, the more experience the doctor has, the less chance of miscarriage following the procedure. You want a doctor who can get a large enough sample on the very first try and cause you the least amount of discomfort possible.

3. If you do decide to have the procedure, try not to place any kind of value judgement on your choice. I spent so much time agonizing over whether it was a good or bad thing to do, both times, it was really unhealthy and made a stressful situation even worse. There's just no overall right and wrong, only what you need to do for you and your child and your own peace of mind.

I wish you all the best!

[HaikuMommy]

I appreciate all the info so much! This is exactly the kind of feedback I was hoping to get. I will be having the NT and bloodwork done in a couple days, when I am 11 weeks along. So if I get the results back fairly quickly, I should have time to get CVS if it is warranted. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. In the meantime, anyone else who wants to tell me their experiences, please do! Thanks!