amniocentesis, CVS

[disneymarie]

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.

I had a CVS due to my age, 40 when I had no. 4. It was nothing, other then holding the pee so long. I had an hour and half drive to the Allentown hospital then, they sent it to Jefferson in Phila. to do the test results.
The risk was so minimal, and the information that it provided was wonderful peace of mind which was healthier for me. I did not have pain. or after 14 years I do not recall any. I would have done it with any pregnancy it was indicated. Leigh hospital in Allentown PA was pro's for the proceedure.

It is done very early, exactly or as close to 9 weeks. The results are back early in a pregnancy to know what the issues are if there are any. At 40 I had a 1 in 100 chance of Down's baby. I wanted either the peace of mind or prepardness....

DD was a healthy, but stuck kiddo, had my only C-section with her. First time I knew what the baby was too, that was a change.
good luck with all,

 

[Ar1el]

Is the CVS a needle like the amnio?

 

[DawnM]

And what if the news had not given you a "powerful piece of mind?" what would have have done?

I think you need to be prepared for bad news too if you are going to do the procedure.

Dawn

The risk was so minimal, and the information that it provided was wonderful peace of mind which was healthier for me. I did not have pain. or after 14 years I do not recall any. I would have dol,

 

[Colleen27]

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 disagree. A family friend discovered via the quad screen and confirmed by amnio a condition that likely would have killed her DD had it been a surprise at delivery, but because they were prepared she was delivered via c-section into the waiting hands of specialists and is a happy, thriving 8yo now.

I was younger when I had my kids (29 with the last) and my blood tests came back normal, so there was no reason for my doc to recommend more invasive testing. If there had been anything to recommended it, I'd have gone ahead with the amnio/CVS, not because we would terminate but so that I and my doctors could be prepared to give the baby the best possible care at delivery and going forward.

 

[NotUrsula]

And what if the news had not given you a "powerful piece of mind?" what would have have done?

I think you need to be prepared for bad news too if you are going to do the procedure.

I don't really think it's fair to put someone on the spot about what they would have done if the news were bad. I know from personal experience that there is absolutely no predicting that response. It depends hugely on just what kind of bad news it is, what the parents' familial and financial situation is -- there are all kinds of factors. Sometimes there is more than one life at stake. I've seen many people who had a very firm theoretical position on this issue reconsider that position when the situation was their own; and that is from BOTH sides of the spectrum. Theory is all well and good, but theory often goes out the window when it actually happens to you.

(And that is all that I'm going to say about the issue here, because I don't want to stray into politics.)

For many of us, knowledge *is* peace of mind, even if it is unpleasant knowledge -- the known is less frightening than the unknown.

 

[Kimkimba]

Nothing other than a level 2 ultrasound with my 3rd and 4th pregnancies. I was 37 with my 3rd, and my 4th was due on my 41st birthday.

 

[locolala]

I might get flamed for this, but there are risks with everything. I feel like my chances of getting in a car crash on the way to the hospital are much greater than the risks of an amnio. The risks of miscarriage have been estimated to be between 1 in 200 and 1 in 400. I really feel like that is a very slim risk, and knowing that my child is healthy, it's worth it. Even if there is something medically wrong with her, I'd rather know in advance so that we can prepare mentally and so that the doctors can start to formulate a treatment plan.