CVS not available?

[Jtiki]

I had my first medical appointment and also first ultrasound today at 9 weeks and all looks well. I asked the doctor about CVS and she suggested that we wait to do a quad screen and then an amnio later if necessary.

I pressed her about the CVS and she says that it's not available in this City and that the closest place to have it done is in Houston which is 3 hours away, and even then she wont give me a referral since I'm not high risk.

The lack of availability doesn't sound right to me. I'm live in San Antonio, population 1.3 million and the 7th largest city in the United States. Are CVS scans not as common as this board suggests or does she not know what she is talking about?

I'm recently relocated to this City from the east coast. A young pregnant co-workers recommended this doctor. She is really nice and answered all my questions with patience but I'm wondering if perhaps I need to find someone else for my medical needs.

Update 9/26/11- after over 20 calls I found two local clinics that do early genetic testing, including CVS. I was shocked how many places don't do anything until 16 weeks or later. But neither of the two I found will do it without a referral from my OB. So I'm definitely switching OBs. Since I'm on a tight schedule, I basically took the first doctor who could see me this week that was willing to give me a referral to a perinatologist. I'm not sure if I will like the new doctor ... but at least it will get me the testing I want. And if necessary, I will switch doctors yet again.

 

[LadyAce14]

I thought it was automatic to see a perinatologist if over 35? But I'm a first timer so I don't really know.
As for the CVS test, my perinatologist offered it to us but had we chosen to have it we'd have to drive over an hour away to a larger city as it isn't available here in our moderately sized city. So, maybe that's pretty normal? Just a guess.
One last thought, if you aren't comfortable with your doctors knowledge level, find a new one. You've plenty of time and it's a long pregnancy. Your comfort should be your number one concern when choosing a doctor.
I hope it works out for you. Happy & Healthy nine!

 

[Gia7777]

Though I have heard that some OB's will push for and amnio over CVS, it doesn't sound right that (like you said) the closest place to have one done is 3 hrs from San Antonio. I would definitely ask around as I know being new to a city can be a bit overwhelming. And I found that for me a certain doctor may not be the best even though they come highly recommended from someone else. For something like this that is time sensitive, I'd definitely be looking into it before the opportunity is missed if it's something you feel strongly about.

I thought it was automatic to see a perinatologist if over 35?

I asked my OB that very question and he was very accommodating saying that if I wanted a referral he'd be happy to provide one at any time. So long as my screening tests continue to be normal and my fibroids are under control, I don't see the need at this point. But I'm very comfortable with my OB and he's been right on top of all of my issues and concerns.

 

[LadyAce14]

Thanks Gia! I guess it's just me because of my issues with the previous surgery and pernicious anemia and the fibroids and infertility. Lol. I'm a hot mess.

 

[Junebug_CJ]

No, it's not necessary for those over 35 to be followed by a perinatologist. If the woman has previous health concerns or a history of infertility, it makes sense. I'm 38 and my family doctor is doing my routine prenatal care. My OB will just be doing my CVS and my C-section. I do find it odd that she would say a CVS is not available in San Antonio though maybe ask someone else?

 

[Caseys]

It could depend on what your doctor does. For example, my ob does my normal monthly checkups but that office doesn't do anything more so I saw a perinatologist for my NT scan, for my amnio, and then I'm seeing her again for my 20 week scan followed by my monthly visit with my normal doc. I am fortunate that my specialized doctor comes up from her office in Denver once a week to my local hospital to do things like that, though I'm not far from Denver.

Perhaps you can drive to Austin for it if you really think you should have one?

 

[knitbit]

You might ask your original OB her opinion on the docs you found. It could be that the local doctors don't have the best reputations. CVS is definitely a procedure where you want the best doctor available performing it, even if you have to drive 3 hours.

It can't be done prior to 10 weeks anyway, so you could still push for a referal.