Who has had the CVS procedure?

[raysnkaysmom]

I have a thread out there 'my baby has a chromosonal defect'... I basically have to decide by Wednesday if I am to have the CVS, or amnio... I'm already internally debating, and I've gotten great advice and prayers on the other thread, what I really want is words from those who have had the CVS?
Good and bad stories...I need to weigh it out...

Amnios??

Thanks - Headed to work...I'll check in this evening..

 

[LuvN~Travel]

I didn't have the CVS with our second child, mainly due to the doctor not ordering it. However, due to the fact that our first had a major birth defect, Crouzon's Syndrome, we did have the amnio with our second. All, I remember feeling during it was just the pressure. I don't remember it being very uncomfortable or anything. Even though the amnio at the time would not have actually told us if he had the same thing as his sister, we did want to know ahead of time if we had any problems to look forward to. (Thankfully nothing)

I think the CVS does show more things than the amnio, but like some have said there are always false positives too. I know it's going to be a tough decision for you and I'll keep you in my prayers.


I also know now that genetic testing has come a long way in just the past fourteen years since then, so even with the amnio more things should be picked up now.
Kim

 

[kerrynic78]

I had an amnio at about 18 weeks. My bloodwork came back saying that I had a 1 in 90 chance of having a baby with down syndrome, spina bifida, etc. I opted to have the amnio since I wanted to be prepared and do all the research I could to be ready for the baby. I was very nervous because I knew there were risks associated with an amnio but the specialist I went to really calmed me down and made me feel much better about it. I won't lie, tha amnio was not fun and I thought it was painful, but many others I know said they didn't feel a thing.

In the end, our results came back within days and our baby girl was healthy, it was a false positive on the bloodwork which is so common.

I will say that the waiting and the unknown was so hard, it was probably the hardest couple of weeks I have ever had to go through. Not knowing what was going on was so hard for me, I could not spend my entire pregnancy wondering.

I pray that everything works out the way it should for you!!!

 

[RachelEllen]

I want to wish the best to you with whatever decision you make. I haven't had those procedures, but I'm a physician who deals with newborns.

It sounds like you are really taking the time to educate yourself about these procedures. Someone else already mentioned the "false positive" rate. People often complain that the screening tests (ultrasound, triple screen, etc) have a high false positive rate. This is misleading because the test actually doesn't actually come back positive or negative. It comes back with a risk, and, as shorthand, we sometimes refer to a higher than average risk as "positive." But, a really significant result might be a risk of 1 in 20. Which means 19 people who get that result will still have a normal amnio.

(As an aside, the CVS and amnio procedures have extremely low false positive rates. I've never seen a false one.)

That being said, you need to understand what your risk profile is for each of the diseases they tested for. It could be "positive" at a 1 in 200 risk or at a 1 in 3 risk. And that might affect your decision.

Next, I would ask what the actual complication rate is for CVS and amnio at your hospital. The numbers you see on the web (1 in 200 risk for miscarriage for amnio, for example) are very out of date. Where I used to work, we had less than a 1 in 2000 rate of loss with amnio.

Finally, I'd try to take into account why you are having the test. I'm extremely supportive of having the test even if you are completely sure you will continue the pregnancy. I can't tell you how much of a difference it seems to make when people know in advance. Not just medically, but, parents who are able to have had time to come to terms with a diganosis seem to be able to spend so much more time just taking joy in who their baby is. Not that parents are suprised don't get to that place, but they have to go through different emotions at the time of birth.

However, if you are having the test for those reasons, you make wish to have the less risky one. Even if it will take longer.

This is all just personal experience. I can only speak as someone who has seen many babies with chromosomal problems born. Which is, obviously, completely different from being the parent.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Hi.

First, a

I've had both procedures.

The amnio was with my first pregnancy, and I was 37yo. I think I had it around 16 weeks, and of course the reason it was suggested was for 'advanced maternal age'. GEE, I hate that term!

Anyway, they use an ultrasound machine to make sure they know where the baby is, then use a rather large (long) needle to puncture through the uterus and collect some amniotic fluid. You feel the pinch (like any other shot) and three little electrical zaps (I'm not sure I'm describing that right, I believe the doc said it was the sensation as the needle punctures through layers of tissue.) She told me it would take about one minute, so I slowly counted to 60. She was right on the dot.

They had me go home for the remainder of the day (I was working FT at an office job), which was fine for me because I was sweating bullets and unable to focus anyway.

With my second pregnancy I was offered CVS, which carried the same risks as amnio, but could be done much earlier. Since I'm a huge worrywart, I opted to find out earlier.

I actually don't remember as much about the CVS, for some reason. My doc referred me to a specialist for the procedure, because he'd done it many, many times. I believe I had the procedure around 11 weeks, and I do remember feeling a tiny bit of cramping as the needle took a little sample of placental tissue.

I did have a placental abruption around 16 weeks; however, I think if this had been related to the CVS, it would have happened much sooner than 5 weeks after the procedure. Fortunately, the placental abruption healed itself, and the pregnancy progressed successfully.

I wish you all the best, and would encourage you to do whatever you can for peace of mind. If you feel you'd cope better not knowing, then skip the procedures. If you feel you want to know up front if there's a problem, then go for a procedure.

 

[wilderness01]

I also had an amnio and the above poster is right on the mark.

Best wishes for whatever decision that you make. You are right to be proactive by doing your homework. Good luck.

 

[LuvDuke]

I have a thread out there 'my baby has a chromosonal defect'... I basically have to decide by Wednesday if I am to have the CVS, or amnio... I'm already internally debating, and I've gotten great advice and prayers on the other thread, what I really want is words from those who have had the CVS?
Good and bad stories...I need to weigh it out...

Amnios??

Thanks - Headed to work...I'll check in this evening..

I had an amnio in 1994. CVS was a fairly new procedure and not generally offered.

Personally, I would use CVS first and then go to amnio if something unusual showed up. Amnio really should be used for those who have a greater risk of fetal problems vs miscarriage. There is a risk of miscarriage with amnio.

The amnio was nearly painless and took 136 seconds. I know because I counted to counter the nerves. It was an easy simple procedure. I had a bit of cramping later and my doctor told me to double up on my progesterone and stay in bed for a day or two.

Everyone has to decide for themselves what is right for themselves.

 

[NotUrsula]

I've had CVS twice. The first time at 11 weeks in response to a bad ultrasound that showed a cystic hygroma. That pregnancy was terminated when the baby developed severe hydrops; she was dying anyway, and my kidneys were beginning to fail because of the level of toxins building up in her system (a condition called Mirror Syndrome). She did have Down Syndrome as well.

I had CVS in my following pregnancy just because I wanted to know anything that I was dealing with ASAP, and I didn't want to waste time with ultrasounds and blood tests. (I was 45 yo at the time, so I got the test just for asking.) I had the test at 10 weeks, and we asked for FSH results. This time it showed no chromosomal abnormality. DD is now a healthy 15 mo old.

It felt rather like a Pap smear to me. The most annoying part was having to hold still on the table for 10 minutes (with the little uterine catheter tube in place) while the doctor went and took a look at the sample to be sure that it was a good one. It was, so I was able to leave about 15 minutes after we started. I could have gone back to the office if I'd wanted to, but I had taken the day off, as I had the excuse.

Both times I had the test done in the Maternal-Fetal Medicine department of a major teaching hospital that does thousands of these tests every year. I didn't worry about miscarriage at all, because their rate is miniscule. (Also, I'd already had several miscarriages at that point, and I had already learned that they tend to happen more just because they are meant to, rather than as a reaction to anything you do.)

Oh, and PS -- just as the physician who posted earlier pointed out, at this point it is premature to say that your baby has a chromosomal defect. Unless you have a CVS or Amnio no one would not know that for sure until birth.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I had an amnio in 1994. CVS was a fairly new procedure and not generally offered.

Personally, I would use CVS first and then go to amnio if something unusual showed up. Amnio really should be used for those who have a greater risk of fetal problems vs miscarriage. There is a risk of miscarriage with amnio.

The amnio was nearly painless and took 136 seconds. I know because I counted to counter the nerves. It was an easy simple procedure. I had a bit of cramping later and my doctor told me to double up on my progesterone and stay in bed for a day or two.

Everyone has to decide for themselves what is right for themselves.

The CVS tells the same type of information as the amnio. It also carries a risk of miscarriage. I don't believe, having had a CVS, that an amnio would be necessary.

I opted for the CVS instead of the amnio so that I would get the results earlier.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

The dr did tell me that CVS carries a slightly higher miscarriage rate, but still relatively low...
We are going back to the dr in the morning for more information...

Thanks for all the insight!

 

[bsnyder]

I had an amnio in 1994. CVS was a fairly new procedure and not generally offered.

Personally, I would use CVS first and then go to amnio if something unusual showed up. Amnio really should be used for those who have a greater risk of fetal problems vs miscarriage. There is a risk of miscarriage with amnio.

The amnio was nearly painless and took 136 seconds. I know because I counted to counter the nerves. It was an easy simple procedure. I had a bit of cramping later and my doctor told me to double up on my progesterone and stay in bed for a day or two.

Everyone has to decide for themselves what is right for themselves.

I had an amnio the same year. I thought it was very easy and painless. The worst part is worrying over the (small) risk of miscarriage, and the waiting to get the results.

 

[NEM]

I had CVS with with a well respected Dr in Los Angeles at Cedars Sinai that does over 1000 procedures a year. I also wanted to know what I was dealing with as early as possible, if anything (I was 39 at the time). I agree the most uncomfortable part is the length of time the catheter is in, but if I am so fortunate as to get pregnant again, I would not hesitate to do it again.

The results are definitive and you do not have to do amnio also.

The risks with a good doctor who is an expert in the procedure are not any more than amnio. But you MUST be certain of the doctor preforming the procedure. Do your research on that.

Everything came back great and I also got to find out the sex too! I am now the proud momma of a 7 month boy.

Good luck. If you do move forward the waiting for the results phone call will be the longest 10 days of your life. (I chose to wait for the full results as they are complete and definitive rather than the faster quick results, which are not complete). I was so relieved when I got the call that all was good, I cried.

I think that happens for them often.

God speed to you and your new little one.

Michelle

 

[bumbershoot]

Or changing direction completely, will the info you might receive from these procedures be useful to you?

For me it wouldn't. When I was pg I spent quite a bit of mental time preparing myself for "just in case something is wrong/different", and never felt the need for an invasive test.

So just b/c they are saying you must do this or that, you don't actually *have to* do either, if you don't want to.

(sometimes people don't think this way, they just follow what their health care provider says, so I always try to mention it, even though it sounds like a "duh" statement)

 

[MNFootballMommy]

I had a CVS with DD at 10-12 weeks. (We had a son with a chromosomal defect who had passed away, so we wanted to be prepared, just in case.)

It was slightly uncomfortable, but not painful. (The docs ego was much worse!) You can watch the entire procedure on the screen, much like an ultrasound.

There is a risk for miscarriage, but it is not high. (If the child has a defect, the risk for that is already high.) I had spotting for about a day (normal) and then it was back to a normal pregnancy. Results took about 7-10 days, which were excruciating.

Best of luck in whatever you decide. My thoughts will be with you.

 

[MNFootballMommy]

Or changing direction completely, will the info you might receive from these procedures be useful to you?

For me it wouldn't. When I was pg I spent quite a bit of mental time preparing myself for "just in case something is wrong/different", and never felt the need for an invasive test.

So just b/c they are saying you must do this or that, you don't actually *have to* do either, if you don't want to.

(sometimes people don't think this way, they just follow what their health care provider says, so I always try to mention it, even though it sounds like a "duh" statement)

With all due respect, it CAN be useful information when it comes to delivery time. You would want to make sure that your hospital has the proper staff and equipment for dealing with any issues that come along with a chromosomal defect. My son had to be airlifted to a hospital that could meet his needs for survival. Had we known ahead of time (no prior family history), we could have BEEN at that hospital with the proper equipment and personnel. It IS important information to have, for whatever reason.

 

[HelenePA]

As you know I had it. Mine was done thru the abdomen, I dont know how they choose if its thru the yahoo or the belly. The whole thing took less than 2 minutes. I was in the ultrasound room for maybe 10 total. It wasn't painless. But it was nothing like childbirth, breaking a leg, or even a toothache. I was 11.5 weeks at the time. I didn't worry about a miscarriage at all. I had some very very light cramping. I spent the day in bed and was fine by the next day.

As for the ladies who keep talking about the false AFP test this is NOT the AFP test she had done. Its a newer test, this one is much more advanced and reliable for detecting down syndrome, turners, and a few others. I wasn't going to terminate any way it came back but it gave us alot of time to read and prepare ourselves for any major major life changes we were about to go thru other than the birth of a baby itself.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I had an amnio. I have a great aunt and a brother with down syndrome. It was unknown whether or not it was hereditary. The test came back perfectly normal. At 28 weeks, I delivered a stillborn but, perfect little girl.

 

[LuvDuke]

Some of my information has to be out of date as it was almost 15 years ago when I had the amnio. It wasn't 1994, it was 1993.

 

[SHAYMARAYSMOM]

Or changing direction completely, will the info you might receive from these procedures be useful to you?

For me it wouldn't. When I was pg I spent quite a bit of mental time preparing myself for "just in case something is wrong/different", and never felt the need for an invasive test.

So just b/c they are saying you must do this or that, you don't actually *have to* do either, if you don't want to.

(sometimes people don't think this way, they just follow what their health care provider says, so I always try to mention it, even though it sounds like a "duh" statement)

We all know the medical world is out to get you and your family. You seem to post nothing good about anything medical. I do not think this is what the OP was looking for.

So to the OP my sister in law had the CVS done with her last son. She said it was kinda fast and okay.
Like others have said she and a little spotting and a little bit of cramping.
I think she was about 12 weeks along.
I wish you the best

 

[goofy!]

Due to my daughter having Down syndrome, I was offered testing for the next two pregnancies. Although her chromosome screening showed no sign of translocation (rare hereditary form of Down syndrome), I am one of those people who has to know as much as possible as soon as possible so there was no question that I would do prenatal testing. The results wouldn't have affected the outcome, I just needed to know, and needed to know as soon as possible.

In 1989, I had my CVS with one of the doctors pioneering the procedure.

If I remember correctly, we did it as early as the procedure allowed. I had the results back in a few days. Getting the results in the first trimester really gave me a sense of relief for the rest of the pregnancy. I had it ******lly and it was just a small little pinch and it was over.

Then, 6.5 years later, I was pregnant with our third child. Due to medical reasons, I chose the procedure that in 1996 had a slightly less risk factor. The procedure was not bad, but it drove me nuts to wait until halfway through my pregnancy to have my results. I had it done at 16 weeks and had results by 18 weeks.

For me and the type of personality I am, CVS was a much better match.