CVS vs. Amnio

LSGNJ

I'm 41, pregnant with twins.  Any thoughts on whether to do the CVS test or wait for the amnio?  My ob says only one is recommended.

ateytelb

I will be turning 41 when this one is born. I did amnio with my son 3 years ago but this time we went for CVS. Amnio is done after 16 weeks and you already feel them move. What do you do if you get bad results? We were told that at the particular center where we did amnio and now CVS the risk of m/c is similar for both. I assume it's also true if you are having twins, but I would go for a consultation and ask.

OscarQ

I did CVS - same risk with both CVS and Amnio at the place where I had mine done.  I wanted answers early so I went with CVS - decided long before I was pregnant.  Everything went very well and I knew within 48 hours that the primary issues were ruled out.

Good luck with your decision.

shellindcwife

I'm doing CVS on Friday. I'll be 37 when I deliver. PP is right, you have to wait for amnio, and I didn't want to wait. There is a slightly higher risk for m/c w/ CVS (1%) vs. amnio (.5%), but the CVS is done so much earlier that it's worth the small diff in risk to me.

ktwilley

I think it depends on what you would do if you got a negative outcome. The CVS is done much earlier, so if you wanted to terminate one or both of the pregnancies it could be done sooner. 

marcilynn510

Another thing to consider is that CVS doesn't detect spinal defects. But it appears that you're offered a blood screen in the 2nd Trimester to see if you're at increased risk for those type of defects, and I hear that most can be detected by the 2nd trimester ultrasound.

Has your doctor talked about how the results can be affected by there being two babies? I have a friend pregnant with twins and I understand the test results have to be looked at differently.

Good luck with your decision!

camp625

So I had my 1st ultra sound yesterday (8w1d).....My OB (who by the way is also a perinatologist which makes me feel good) & I discussed whether or not I wanted to have an Amnio (I am 41 & a 1st time Mom to be).  I explained that I would prefer going through a few extra scans & blood work before going to such an invasive test, if she thought it was a good idea - basically taking it one test/step at a time.  She agreed, so we scheduled my 12 wk scan & RBO (can't remember the name) for 11/12.  

mayanut

I was going to go for the CVS for reasons stated above, but the results of the NT sono scan and bloodwork were so good that I opted not to have either.  I was glad I did a non-invasive first.

LSGNJ

Thanks ladies.  I appreciate your thoughts.

SFAug07

I went for the amnio after the NT scan gave elevated risk for Down's. It was negative and huge relief for us.