To CVS or not to CVS?

Euse42

I'm 33, previous miscRriage. I have a genetic condition that means I have a 1% risk for Trisomy 13 (Patau). MFM folks are recommending CVS but it carries a risk of miscarriage. Not sure if I should just go with a less accurate non-invasive test or do the CVS. Anyone had CVS already? How did it go?

JadaBlue

What's the downside of starting with a free cell blood test? It will give you a better idea of your chances to weigh against the (minimal) risk of the cvs test. Good luck!

kvm2908

I just had a CVS test done on Tuesday because my Nuchal scan and blood work results put me at a 1 in 4 chance for Downs and higher risk for trisomy 18 and 13. I went back and forth between blood test like Harmony or CVS but ultimately went for CVS as the results are quicker and also diagnostic. While the blood tests are super accurate, they are still considered screening as they don't diagnose problems. This was just what worked for my personal situation. It's hard but only you can decide about the procedure. The small additional risk of miscarriage is weighing on my mind, but from my scan results the doctors have told me if I miscarry it is likely because baby is unwell and not because of the CVS. If you've not had any scan/blood work putting your risk higher than 1% maybe a blood test is a better option. If the results are not positive you can always choose to have a CVS or amnio later.

eredee

A few years ago I was in the same boat as @kvm2908. My NT scan coupled with a blood screening came back with high chances for Downs and higher chances for Trisomy 18.  I went for the early amnio as the MFM people were trained in doing early ones and there were no blood tests out at the time (but I believe an amnio is similar to the CVS). I agree with her in that in our cases I would do the amnio because even though the NT and blood screenings aren't diagnostic, they are pretty indicative that something is wrong, and so the next step for me was to find out exactly what was wrong.

With your case, the previous miscarriage I wouldn't think would have any bearing on having a CVS, however your genetic condition would. But 1% is pretty low and at 33, you aren't considered AMA so I wouldn't think that would have any bearing either (but I'm not a doctor :-)). Have you had an NT scan yet? If so, what did they say? I would wait and see what my NT scan showed and also ask if I could have the Harmony, or Panorama or Materni21 testing done to see if the doctor's have any concerns with those results. If they did find something after those tests/screenings, then I would go for the CVS.

Good luck!!! Thoughts and best wishes for the BEST possible results!

eastdurian

Have you had the less invasive testing? I probably would have started there, I know my insurance covered the NT scan and blood work, and then done CVS if it all still leads anyone to believe your chance is higher than any normal person.

I'd do CVS if it would make any difference to you. We're waiting to do some testing and if we both come back as carriers for something I would request more testing because it does matter to me.

rschenck14

I also had a CVS with our DD in 2012.  They did not have the blood tests available at the time.  We opted for a CVS because the Nuchal came back so high and they were for sure there was something wrong.  The procedure was not horrible and Johns Hopkins did a fantastic job, but I also worried about having a miscarriage.  Turned out DD was perfectly fine.  I would recommend the NT Scan and Bloodwork score and then also do a NIPT (Non-invasive Prenatal Test) if you have time and then if something comes back positive opt for a CVS or Amnio.  The CVS and Amnio are the only two diagnostic tests, but NT Scan and NIPT may give you indication if you have to go that route.  I agree that 33 yrs old and 1% are not necessarily indicative of needing a CVS.  I am not a doctor so this is all just based on the information I had at hand from genetic counselors, doctors, etc.  Good Luck with whatever you end up choosing to do and hope everything is good with the baby!

kaitlyn592

From what my office told me, the blood tests are only screenings, not diagnostic results. So if you have the screening and nothing comes back abnormal, then there is nothing to worry about as far as what they were testing for. However, if anything does come back abnormal, then they will send you for a cvs anyway because the test cannot 100% accurately diagnosis the said issue; more testing is needed. It seemed to me as though sometimes the blood work comes back abnormal but there is not really a problem. The abnormal results coming from a high level of a certain hormone or something similar to that can sometimes be caused by other reasons that aren't serious.

Personally, I would start with the less invasive blood work. At least you'll feel relief if there's nothing wrong with the results. Then you'll know for sure whether a cvs is really worth the risk or not, based on your results.

AmadorRose

I agree with PP for what it's worth - blood tests can determine more or less chance without risk; however, risk associated with CVS and amino are less than 1.5%, from what I was told at my genetic counseling appointment. If it's going to give you peace of mind, I think it's worth it.