CVS - Anyone been there?

[babylou]

Just been told that 1 in 80 of DS. Am 12 weeks now and been offered CVS or Amnio later. Anyone out there had any experience?

 

[April2012]

I have not. But I plan to have all the tests available...including amnio if DS is a risk. I know it is a very difficult decision...but i have made up my mind that it was something I would do. Unfortunately, i don't know a lot about it. Right now I am less than nine weeks.

 

[DeeM73]

Been reading up on it and it's something we've decided we will go through if necessary.Made up my mind as soon as I found out as I'm 37.Good luck x

 

[Junebug_CJ]

Hi hun, last pregnancy I had a risk of 1 in 10 for trisomy 18. I had CVS done at 11 weeks and 6 days: turned out to be a normal girl. It was like an uncomfortable pap test and I had a bit of cramping for a couple of hours, no spotting. I will be doing it again this time around, decided I need to know with 100% certainty and will skip all the screening tests to go straight to CVS (apt already booked for October 17th). What I liked with CVS is that we waited until we knew everything was OK before disclosing the pregnancy. With amnio, is it done later, so people know you're pregnant. There is a slightly increased risk of miscarriage with CVS, but for us the benefits were clear. hun, not an easy decision, I hope everything turns out perfectly well!

 

[Mbababy]

Hi hun, last pregnancy I had a risk of 1 in 10 for trisomy 18. I had CVS done at 11 weeks and 6 days: turned out to be a normal girl. It was like an uncomfortable pap test and I had a bit of cramping for a couple of hours, no spotting. I will be doing it again this time around, decided I need to know with 100% certainty and will skip all the screening tests to go straight to CVS (apt already booked for October 17th). What I liked with CVS is that we waited until we knew everything was OK before disclosing the pregnancy. With amnio, is it done later, so people know you're pregnant. There is a slightly increased risk of miscarriage with CVS, but for us the benefits were clear. hun, not an easy decision, I hope everything turns out perfectly well!

I don't think my insurance will pay for CVS unless I go through the screening process and am determined high risk, but your post makes me want to look into it a little more.

 

[Junebug_CJ]

Honestly, I'd just do amnio in second tri instead of CVS. I work in genetics and prenatal diagnosis and have never heard of second trimester CVS...

 

[Andypanda6570]

I would try to do the CVS because it is done earlier and if you have to make a choice (God Forbid) you can and it will still be early while with the Amnio it wont be early if you need to make a choice. Honestly though I think you will be fine CVS is done in the first rimester never the second. CVS is done 11 weeks to 12 weeks while Amnio is done 15 weeks to 20 weeks, that is why if I do get pregnant again i will for sure get CVS not Amnio.
Best Of Luck xoxox

 

[Caseys]

I was given 1:5 chance of Downs, 1:35 chance of trisomy 18, back in early August due to the blood portion of the NT tests (low PAPP-A). I didn't have the option for CVS as I was at the end of my 12th week when I had the NT tests done. I had my amnio last week and just got the final results yesterday afternoon. Normal!!! It was worth peace of mind to go through the amnio as we would have made a decision if we had a negative result.

The amnio was relatively easy, plus before it they did an ultrasound where they looked for 10 soft markers for Downs. So basically I got to look at my little boy wiggle around on the screen for about half an hour before the 60 second or so amnio test. The needle hurt a little going in but I also went through IVF to get to this point so it didn't bother me.

It was worth it but I am still seriously annoyed at the medical community for putting a "number" on our babies. It does nothing but freak out the moms!!

 

[Mbababy]

CVS is done in the first rimester never the second.

That's not always true. Some centers will do CVS as late as 13 weeks.

 

[Andypanda6570]

CVS is done in the first rimester never the second.

That's not always true. Some centers will do CVS as late as 13 weeks.

All I know is where I went before I lost my Ava CVS was definitely not done in the second trimester. it is however good to know that some hospitals/centers some will do it at 13 weeks. Thanks for letting me know that

 

[Andypanda6570]

I forgot to say I lost my Ava due to a chromosomal abnormality that is why I said I would do CVS definitely before Amnio. I will not risk loosing my baby at a later time, I lost Ava at 18 and half weeks and I wont go through that again . I really feel however that your baby will be just fine and whatever you decide I wish you all the best

 

[Junebug_CJ]

13 weeks is still considered first trimester, at the very least border 1st/2nd.
Our centre will do them as late as 13 too for this reason, but not beyond 13 weeks.

Andypanda, so sorry for your loss Most patients I see who go through this have the same logic as you have (sooner rather than later). One way or another, it is still hard in the end

 

[Andypanda6570]

13 weeks is still considered first trimester, at the very least border 1st/2nd.
Our centre will do them as late as 13 too for this reason, but not beyond 13 weeks.

Andypanda, so sorry for your loss Most patients I see who go through this have the same logic as you have (sooner rather than later). One way or another, it is still hard in the end

Thanks. I did not mean to sound like if it was early loss or late it is any harder, what I meant was I would rather make this choice earlier than later, Ava was taken away from me without me knowing anything was even wrong, so if I do get a next time i will make the choice to know earlier and be aware, something i was not before. i was 21 23 and 30 when I had my boys and at 40 when I got pregnant with Ava I had no idea the risks for my age, it had just been so long since I had a baby that i didn't know the risk and what caused me to loose Ava was an age factor something that I will not go through again. For me having Ava until 18 weeks and feeling movement was very hard she was a part of me that is just gone now. I also gave birth to her in my house. So all I am really saying is if this ever happened again I would want to be aware of it at 11 weeks so i could prepare and decide what to do, which at 18 weeks I never got the choice.

 

[Junebug_CJ]

Yes, I understand what you meant, sorry I probably didn't summarize it correctly... That is my reason for wanting a CVS rather than waiting for amnio

 

[babylou]

Thanks for all the feedback. We have opted to go for the CVS and hope to go ahead early next week. I will be 13 weeks late next week, so should know by then.

Will let u all know xx

 

[Junebug_CJ]

Hope everything goes smoothly and that your results are perfect!

 

[Andypanda6570]

I wish you all the best and I know everything will be great!
Sending many positive thoughts..

 

[Sewergrrl]

Good luck with your test! I know this may not be of any comfort, but if your DS odds are 1:80, that's still 79 chances it's not.

 

[Michieb]

I was given a 1:23 for downs and then declined the amnio - didnt want to take the risk - we did a level 2 ultrasound and there were no markers so that was enough for me - those tests have a lot of false positives so dont let them influence your decision!

 

[Junebug_CJ]

Yes you're right, there are many false positives, but one way or another, the risk is increased. It's really a personal choice how a couple decides to handle increased risk. I for one would not hesitate to do CVS or amnio for any increased risk, that is my personal choice...

Babylou, fingers crossed for you! Please keep us posted!