To CVS test or not?

Trying4Number3

I am 39 and I am almost 12 weeks pregnant.  My husband wants to get a test to make sure the baby is healthy.  I would like the test to put my mind at ease but I am extremely scared of having a miscarriage.  We both agree that if we do a test it should be the CVS because it can be done now.  We have already ruled out the other tests either tests either due to non-definitive answers or late test results.  My CVS test is scheduled for tomorrow and I have to decide today if we should go through with it or not.  I have searched on line and all the medical sites talk about the extremely low chance of complications and I relax, but then I read posts online from women who have had miscarriages after finding out the baby was 100% healthy and I just cry.

I would love to hear from any of you that have had the test. 

ammc

I had a CVS done with one of my pregnancies to confirm a trisomy diagnosis that came up during my NT scan.   They went in vaginally with needle based on placenta location.   Two days later they called me to say the dr did not get enough cells and the test came back inconclusive so I had to have it done again or wait for amnio.  I decided to redo the test with a different doctor because I refused the first one to repeat it.  The test worked the second time.  I did not drive after and I took the following day out of work for pelvic rest.  I had some spotting and cramping which was normal.

 With my most recent pregnancy (I am 20 weeks today), I chose to have the CVS done again at 12w.  I had the most experienced doctor in the state do the test (he has been doing them for 17 years so his m/c rate was lower than the average rate).  With this one, he went in vaginally to placenta.  The lab tech and he looked under a microscope in another room and came back to say they didn't have enough of the sample (I guess this happens more than I realized).   He told me I could re-do the test right there and then or I could just wait until amnio at 15w.  Also, because I had emptied my bladder after the first procedure, he now had to go in via abdomin because of the new location of the placenta.  We decided to go ahead and do it (and there were lots of tears in the decision process).  The process was a lot more uncomfortable and it was not anything that I could really prepare for but we made it through okay and our baby girl is healthy.   It really is a personal decision for each woman to make.. it isn't easy.. there is a lot of guilt associated with making it.. I mean with my second, as far as I knew this baby was healthy and here I was putting her at risk not once, but twice.   The only option that I wish I had researched earlier was doing the M21 test or Harmony test.  These tests can give you the same information via blood work (obviously less invasive) and I believe can be done as early as 9 weeks (might be 10).  However, the test can take anywhere from 10-14 days for the dr to get back and that would have put me over the 12w6d cut off for CVS so if it had come back elevated, I would have had to wait for the amnio at 15w to confirm.  good luck in making your decision.

Trying4Number3

I looked in to the other tests (maternity21, Harmony, nuchal translucency) but they are not a definitive yes or no, I just can't handle that rollercoaster.  After meeting with a counselor we decided it would be either the CVS or the Amnio.  After much discussion we both agreed that the Amnio would just be too late.  It is the CVS or nothing.  Because of my age, the chances of me having a DS child are greater than my chance of having a miscarriage from the CVS.  That is why we made the appointment.  My husband and I have talked about this every day and I am still so undecided.  He wants the test.  I want the peace of mind that comes with the test.  He is afraid that if we have the test and it results in a complication I will blame him?I can not say that I haven?t thought that as well.  I am thinking of switching the test from Tuesday to Thursday to give us a little more time to decide.

Momof2hopingfor3

This is tough. I was advised to have a cvs during my last pregnancy due to an u/s finding. Our risk of trisomy was 1:2. A first, I refused. I did, ultimately, have the procedure done. My doctor's miscarriage rate is well below the average rate.  But, it is still scary. The procedure went fine, but I contracted throughout the whole procedure and for a bit afterward, so I was put on two days of strict bed rest and was told to take it east for a week. After the week, everything was fine with the pregnancy, but we were given a poor fetal diagnosis. 

 I was very hesitant to do the procedure again this time.  Instead, we are having several u/s scans (10w, 11w, 12w) and we had harmony at 10 week. We should have the results by 12 weeks and if the results are positive, we will confirm with a cvs at 12 weeks.

If I was 12 weeks and did not have the close monitoring I have been having, I would definitely have the Cvs. You will have fish results in 3 days and full results in 7-14 days. If you're very nervous, they can give you something. Because of my prior experience, they will give me something to relax me (and my muscles) to reduce the chances of contracting. This is in addition to local.  I can't remember what it's called, but it's a pill of some sort. Maybe lie a Valium.  

Good luck with whatever you decide.  T&P to you!

solarflare

Choosing to do a CVS test is not easy. And there is risk involved. However the risk is very low. But there still is a risk. I did the CVS and for these twins they had to do one vaginally and one trans-abdominally. Yes, it hurt and was uncomfortable, I had some spotting and light cramping. I rested a lot and in 2 weeks was able to find out the results. I would do it again, but it does take willpower and you should try and rest during the procedure as much as possible. 

It really is a personal decision, but like I said, it was the right one for me to have this level of knowledge moving forward with the pregnancy. 

dhreczuck

This is always extremely personal for me to share, but having gone through what I went through, I at least hope that I can share my experience with others so they can make an educated decision.

It's in my siggy but I had a vaginal CVS at 13 weeks, with a top Dr. here in NYC and was thrilled to learn we had  100% healthy baby boy. I developed a severe infection inutero when I was 14.5 wks, that was contributed to the cvs test and subsequently has a miscarriage. There was nothing that could be done once the infection developed to save the pregnancy, the baby was still alive but my body needed to get rid of anything it preceived as foreign matter, he was alive up to the point I delivered him.

Prior to having the test we were reassured that the statistics are most likely overstated for m/c so we felt safe doing it, since then we've consulted with 3 high risk Drs and a regular OB, and were told by all that they do see m/c from the CVS several times a year. It is a personal decision but not one to be taken lightly. Sure there are many people that have had the procedure and have been fine but there's absolutely no way to know if you'll end up on the wrong side of the statistics.

My advice is consider how you would feel if things came back abnormal, are you 100% committed to terminating the pregnancy? If you're not, consider how you would feel if things come back normal and you ended up miscarrying.

danuli8

I did the NT scan + bloodwork (first tri screen) and the MaterniT21 test, which is not 100%, but as close as you can get with a non-invasive procedure. It is 99.1% effective at detecting Down's. I got very good "odds" considering my age from the first tri screen and a negative result for all three trisomies from the MT21 (plus I found out it's a boy). Those two tests together are enough reassurance for me that all is well and I am done with testing. I did NOT want to do CVS or amnio because they are invasive...but only you can decide what you need to feel reassured.

NicoleWI

Coming from an OB office where CVS/Amnio is not considered a routine test--more a back-up if problems are indicated--I don't understand why anyone would do CVS or amnio right off the bat. I just don't get it. I would wait and do the Quad Screen, and then do more testing if it seems warranted, or try that new MaterniT21 thing I keep seeing on here. Stories like the one above scare me way too much, and there are less invasive ways to get a pretty good assessment of risk. 

Trying4Number3

Thank you very much for sharing.  Thank you everyone who shared their experience.  The question you ask "if things came back abnormal, are you 100% committed to terminating the pregnancy? If you're not, consider how you would feel if things come back normal and you ended up miscarrying."  Those are the questions that I ask myself multiple times a day.  My husband said he would want to terminate.  I told my husband that I do not want to terminate but I have no way of knowing how I would feel if the CVS came back abnormal...I am not sure anyone can say until faced with that; there is just too much to consider.  We did talk a great deal and after our doctor went over termination late in the pregnancy I told my husband that he just couldn't ask me to do that, he said he would never ask me to do that.  He said he would rather not know at that point.  That is why we agreed that an amino was just not for us and the other testing would just be too inconclusive and too late.  That is how we came to the decision that we would either do CVS or no testing. 

I had a miscarriage last year and that killed a part of me.  We did no testing during that pregnancy.  My husband decided at that point that we had 2 healthy children and he just did not want me to ever go through that again so he said no more children.  I was over the moon to discover that I was pregnant 15 months after miscarrying. 

Now here we are.  I want the peace of mind.  I, like my husband, would like the test but the thought of miscarrying a healthy child due to my need to know just cripples me.  The thought of not knowing through my pregnancy paralyzes me.  We haven't told anyone I am pregnant yet, we were waiting for the test results so we could relax.  My husband just texted to tell me to switch the CVS from Tuesday to Thursday so we had a little more time to discuss it, I am not sure 2 more days will make me feel 100% with my decision either way, I am scared and I am sad and I am overwhelmed with this decision.  I just wish someone had a crystal ball and could tell me that everything will be fine if I go through with the test.  Any fortune tellers out there?!?!

I am not sure thinking or talking for two more days will make this decision any easier but one thing I should probably do...stop searching the internet!!!

Anne22202

It is such a hard decision, and really based on your own risk tolerance.  For me, with pregnancy 2 we had 2+ months of looming genetic concerns that really almost broke me mentally.  I ultimately had a late amnio rather than make myself sick with worry.  And all was fine!  My daughter was born perfect, despite at least 4 ultrasound scares that pointed to problems.   For this pregnancy, I simply could not go through that worry again. So I did the cvs at 11 weeks.  It was physically so much easier than the amnio, so if you are considering either I would personally do the cvs over the amnio.   I had no complications.  At my hospital the maternit21 is still considered screening, not diagnostic...and I wanted real answers.  Good luck!  I think it is important to remember that most tests end well.   At my hospital the risk was 1 in 1000.  

Trying4Number3

I talked to the office when I called to reschedule my CVS for Thursday (instead of tomorrow).  After a lengthy conversation I decided to keep my appointment for tomorrow due to the doctor that would be performing the test (it would be a different doctor on Thursday).  He has done more than any other doctor in our hospital system and he does several every week. 

My husband said we can talk about it and if we decide to cancel tomorrow morning than we will.  However, at this point I am stressing myself out more than anything...I think I will move forward with the test.

Please keep us in your prayers!!!

danuli8

Good luck! Let us know how it goes. Sending warm positive vibes your way!

mrsjami

I had it done at 12 weeks for twins. Both were done abdominally. It was uncomfortable but bearable. After my last pregnancy see siggy we needed to know as early possible. We didn't find out until end of week 16 that we had 1 in 9 for t18. It's really tough decision, but it gave us the peace of mind we needed. GL in whatever you decide, CVS is not for everyone.

ShellBear+

I definitely planned to do a cvs to get piece of mind. But after my third mc I just decided I couldn't do it. If I did something unnecessary that caused another mc I just wouldn't be able to live with that. I know it's a hard decision so I wish you luck in whatever you decide.

Trying4Number3

Well I had the CVS test this afternoon.  The doctor was finishing up another test so we had extra time with the ultra sound tech and we were able to watch the baby moving all around, putting its hand to its face?it was great!!!  They were able to do the test transvaginally.  The test was fine but I was so stressed that I cried the entire time, but the doctor was great!  They got a good sample the first time.  I am at home in bed trying to relax and not cough too much (I have a chest cold).  I am having some spotting and some mild cramping but I really notice the cramping after a coughing spell.  My husband was great, he held my hand the whole time and now he just wants me to relax in bed the rest of the day.  Of course I am anxious for my call in 2 days, praying no complications arise over the next week?  Thank you to everyone who wrote in this post, it truly helped me with my decision.  I am still scared and do not feel ?out of the woods? yet so prayers would be great!

MrsNukem

Good luck!  I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. 

danuli8

Good luck! Sending lots of good vibes and positive thoughts your way.

Trying4Number3

Hi everybody!  I received the initial tests back from the CVS and I am happy to report the test came back completely clear, baby is healthy!  I am so happy today!!!

I asked them to send the sex of the baby in a sealed envelope...we want to find out but I am not ready yet.  We want to find out at the same time as our boys and my mom so we decided to take the gender results to a bakery have them make a cake with the inside layer of frosting either pink or blue so when we cut into the cake we will all find out together!  I figured that would be a fun way to find out...especially for our 5 & 6 year old cake loving boys!  We decided to do the cake thing on Thanksgiving so our closest family would be there.

We haven't told anyone (including our boys) that I am pregnant yet.  We decided to tell the boys in 3 weeks; I will be 15 1/2 weeks at that point.  We will tell the boys first and let them share the news with everyone...boy will they all be shocked!  I know how long 40 weeks is to the person having the baby...I can't imagine how long it will be for our 5 & 6 year old boys...at least by the time they find out they will only have to wait 25 weeks...which I am sure will still be an eternity to them!

Sooooo happy today!!!  I love that just my husband and I know...it is very special, sweet, and intimate having this just between us. 

JenBee74

Glad to hear your test went well and you already got good news. We also did a CVS, mine was done abdominally. I had no pain, no spotting or cramping. We also got the preliminary results 48 hours later and all was clear. big sigh of relief.