amniocentesis, CVS

[Ar1el]

For those of you who have children or are pregnant, did you have a amniocentesis or CVS done? I did not with my 2 children but I was wondering how many have. Number 3 is on the way and I do not remember being offered a CVS with my other 2.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I had a CVS.

I was 38 when I delivered my DD so it was something that was offered.

It can be done earlier than an amniocentesis

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Never had an amnio. This was the first time they offered and I declined. I am not sure what a CVS is? I did have the blood screening instead of the amnio though.

 

[Ar1el]

Never had an amnio. This was the first time they offered and I declined. I am not sure what a CVS is? I did have the blood screening instead of the amnio though.

I do like the idea of a blood screening test instead of the amnio or the CVS.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Is there a reason they are suggesting an amnio?

ETA- I just looked up CVS and no- I didn't have that either. I don't think they even offered it. I wasn't comfortable with anything that carried a risk.

 

[Ar1el]

Is there a reason they are suggesting an amnio?

ETA- I just looked up CVS and no- I didn't have that either. I don't think they even offered it. I wasn't comfortable with anything that carried a risk.

No I am jumping the gun here. I was reading on the internet about the different test they offer now and at what weeks they are offered. I saw this CVS test, which they say is similar to the amnio. I was not looking for the test offered, it was just part of this article I was reading about the different trimesters and stuff. I guess I like to be prepared. My kids are 6 and 3 but it feels much longer than 3 years ago that I was pregnant............refresher course.

 

[brittsmum1998]

I have had the CVS test 3 times including w/ my dd11. I also had the amnio at 8 months w/ Britt . That was extremely scarey.

Is there something particular you wanted to know?

Feel free to ask or you can pm me if you would like.

 

[southcarolinagirl]

I had CVS with DS, I was 38 at the time so it was offered due to age. A little scary, but you know, for sure, what color to paint the nursery!

 

[misha-ginger]

An amnio at 8 months? That is something I have not heard of before. Usually it is done between 16 and 20 weeks.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

Honsetly unless you would consider termination the risks really aren't worth it. If you would terminate because of the results then it's worth considering. Check out the miscarriage rate for the dr performing the procedure on you not just the statistics.

 

[locolala]

I'm having an amnio next week since I have a genetic condition that my daughter has a 50% chance of having. If you want, I can pm you afterwards to tell you about it!

 

[SnowWhite12]

I had an amnio at 36 weeks to see if lungs were developed enough for them to take him out the next day. They had tried to get me to do that and the CVS and other genetic screenings because I was age 35. I had declined all because I knew we were keeping him regardless of any problems, and many tests are so risky. I do know the amnio can trigger labor, which the docs warned about, but I didn't have a choice in the matter. They did 2 in a row on me that day because my son actually moved toward the needle the first time they stuck me. I went into labor the next morning. Luckily, I was already scheduled for my c-section that afternoon.

 

[brittsmum1998]

An amnio at 8 months? That is something I have not heard of before. Usually it is done between 16 and 20 weeks.

Blood tests had gone wacky and I had unexplained pains etc. They thought they may have had to take Britt early so they needed to test her lungs.

they made us sign a form releasing them from any problems etc. I can't begin to tell you what it was like watching the needle come so close to her head . Thankfully, we were able to wait a couple of weeks, but then I developed pre clampsia

 

[bumbershoot]

Honsetly unless you would consider termination the risks really aren't worth it. If you would terminate because of the results then it's worth considering. Check out the miscarriage rate for the dr performing the procedure on you not just the statistics.

I have the same opinion.

And that's a good idea, though the idea of a doctor actually giving, or even KEEPING, statistics like that seems just really unlikely. So my cynical, burned by OBs, MDs, and even midwives, self would say good luck with that!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Not sure if it is the same in the US but in Australia, the amnio and CVS are tests that are performed on expectant mothers over the age of 35 or 36. It isn't mandatory but most mother's elect to take the tests just to be on the safe side.

I was borderline on the age thing and opted not to do the test.

Check out the risks with your doctor and don't focus on the stats so much. Make sure that you're comfortable with the risk.
Good luck with your decision.

 

[littlbugmom]

I was offered both early in on because of my age and declined both. I saw no need to take a risk.

It was mentioned again briefly with my first because I had severe preE. They knew they were taking her out, though so why bother? I was high risk with my second due to a compromised uterus, so they were taking him too, again....why bother?

 

[cseca]

Honsetly unless you would consider termination the risks really aren't worth it. If you would terminate because of the results then it's worth considering. Check out the miscarriage rate for the dr performing the procedure on you not just the statistics.

I agree with this.
Think about what you will do with the information once you have it.
1. Termination
2. Information gathering

I never did amnio or cvs because we will need neither. So we opted for the blood test. If there is an anomaly in the blood test then we'll deal with it. Maybe getting a more accurate test if we think necessary. But fortunately our blood test was ok.

In any case, understand that those tests also has false positives and false negatives. Keep that in mind.

I also think when you're pregnant above 35 they do make you take the test regardles (I can't be sure, but they strongly suggests it at least). I'm sure our next pregnancy they'll make us do the test as I will be above 35 then.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Ar1el]

Thanks for all the replies, I appreciate it. I am only 32 so I do not think they would truly recommend either the CVS or the Amnio but I wanted to see what others have done when asked about either and what their experiences were. I really have never heard of the CVS test so I wanted to know if that was a new test with in the past 3 years. The amnio was mentioned with my previous 2 but I did decline. I was not sure if that was the norm to decline or if most people opted for it. Thanks again!

 

[littlbugmom]

I also think when you're pregnant above 35 they do make you take the test regardles (I can't be sure, but they strongly suggests it at least). I'm sure our next pregnancy they'll make us do the test as I will be above 35 then.

Good luck with your decision!

They can not make you. They can suggest it all they want, but they can't make you.

 

[nmmom95]

I had a CVS with my 3rd because I lost a newborn with a rare genetic disorder and I didn't want any more surprises. I had never even had the triple screening before.