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Pregnant after 35
CVS advice...
Hi. This is my first post on this board. I've been on the first trimester board, but I'm also over 35. We had our second appt. today, met the dr. (super nice), and saw our baby. Then we had the genetic testing talk, and discussed CVS vs. amnio. We're leaning toward the CVS since it can tell us much sooner if there is a problem. Both tests are scary, ughhh.
I'm sure I'm not the only one dealing with this.
Any advice?
Thank you.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: CVS advice...
Hi there!
Congrats!
I tried to have a CVS but due to the location of the placenta, I had to wait for the amnio instead. I've heard the risks of mmiscarriage are slightly higher for CVS but I think it all comes down to how experienced your doc is at performing the tests.
Good luck with your decision. I am sure you'll make the right one!
You realize you don't have to have either test, right? Doctors will often talk as if they are necessary, but they're certainly not.
You have a long time (in baby terms, anyway) before you need to make this decision. Plus, there are other, non-invasive tests that you can take that might help you decide if you want the CVS or amnio.
Here are two of the big questions I considered:
What would you do with the information if it's bad news?
Could you live with yourself if you are one of the rare people who miscarries?
Welcome to the board!
DH and I did the CVS test. To be honest, we would have taken action if the tests came back positive. Bridebuddies has a really good point. If you are going to take the test, know beforehand what you will do with the information.
The way our dr. explained the higher rate of miscarriages for CVS tests is that miscarriages are naturally more likely to occur during the first trimester when CVS tests would be done. I have never seen it explained that way before however it would not diminish the pain of a miscarriage.
My advice should you get it done is to have someone there with you so you don't need to drive and to take that day and the next day off. I was surprised at how much cramping I experienced. Also - don't watch the procedure. I just squeezed DH's hand the whole time.
Good luck on your decision!!
By the time we spoke with our genetic counselor and high risk specialist we were past the CVS stage. We had an NT scan which came back with a very high risk for downs. We then opted for the Amnio. Both DH & I had discussed our options and what we would do if the Aminio came back with unfavorable results. Luckily the results concluded that we were having a healthy baby girl.
I wish you the best of luck.
As others have said, these tests are optional.
What we did was opt for the NT scan as it is non-invasive. I have had three previous m/c so was not willing to risk an invasive procedure unless it really seemed necessary.
Our NT scan results were great so we stopped there. We have since had the big u/s and there are no markers for anything.
IF the results had been terrible for trisomy 13 or 18 we likely would have done an anmio. In particular for 18 as most babies with this die before term or shortly after birth.
As others have said, you need to also think about what you would do with the info. For us, we would not terminate but if, for example, the baby had trisomy 18, we would have time to start to accept the baby was not going to live. If our risk of Downs was elevated, it would have changed where we delivered
You need to do what is right for you. For some couples, that is an amnio or CVS. For others, it is nothing other than the big u/s. Both paths are "correct" - they are just different.
Welcome!
We went for an amnio for our peace of mind after the NT scan. I think it depends on what kind of person you are, as well. The NT scan only gives odds of whether something is awry or no. If you are the sort of person who *has to know* (like me) then CVS or amnio is the way to go. If a non-invasive, no-risk test that gives you a pretty good idea of what's going on is enough, then maybe stick with an NT scan.
Ditto - the NT is accurate and non-invasive, but a newer test than amnio and CVS so not as widely available and must be done by a specialist (only 3 facilities in Cleveland are certified to do it). We did the first two parts and since the results were great, skipped the 3rd and just did the u/s at our OB's - all looks great!
Good luck.