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CVS vs Amnio (x-post)

JenniferTCUJenniferTCU member
in Pregnant after 35

Okay quick question- need some advice.

I got my NT results yesterday- they weren't horrible but definitely not great. So I asked the genetic counselor to talk to the doctor today to see if I could get a CVS. Counselor called- doc said I may be too far along- depends on where placenta is located but that he would take a look. I really don't want to wait for the Amnio but now all of the sudden, I am an even bigger ball of nerves.

They are totally full today but will squeeze me in (I waited 4 hours for my NT scan and I had an appt!). I could wait all that time and not get the test still depending on placenta, etc.

DH is out of town so I am kind of solo on this one. So confused and am not sure what to do. Don't know if I can wait a few more weeks for an Amnio or not or if there's a benefit to doing that vs. CVS.

Thanks in advance for your advice. I really appreciate it.

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Re: CVS vs Amnio (x-post)

  • Julia-HenryJulia-Henry member

    Hi, I'm butting in from TTC>35, but I saw your post and wanted to answer since I have a 3 yo and have gone thru pg at an "advanced maternal age" Stick out tongue If you don't want to wait for the amnio, then go and try to get the CVS. This way, you'll at least have tried. If it works, great. If it doesn't, at least you won't be wondering later about if you should have gone.

    In think, as far as diagnostic testing goes, amnio and CVS are very similar - both take fetal cells and look at them for certain issues, and both will tell you the same stuff. Amnio has been around a bit longer, is a bit easier for them to do, but you have to wait 6 more weeks to get it done... Both have a very slight risk of m/c following the procedure, but the risk is extremely low and most moms think it's worth it. I would pick the CVS, put partially for the silly reason that I'm scared of big needles in my stomach and would much prefer for it to be going on "down there" where I can't see/imagine the action with quite as much detail...

    I hope it works for you!

    And congrats on the pregnancy!

    2012 Races: Mar 24: Great Human Race 5K. April 28: 5K for Fitness
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  • JenniferTCUJenniferTCU member
    Thanks so much Julia. I am drying my hair now and heading to the doc's office.
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  • Julia-HenryJulia-Henry member
    Good luck! Smile
    2012 Races: Mar 24: Great Human Race 5K. April 28: 5K for Fitness
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  • JenniferTCUJenniferTCU member
    Ugh. DH called and tried to talk me out of it. I think it's because he wants to be here but can't (out of town). He said there was nothing in my results that indicates I need this test but on the other hand, he's sure he wants me to have an amnio. I think he just doesn't really get it all.
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  • JOEBunnyJOEBunny member
    I had a CVS at 13 weeks and 5 or 6 days.  I would not have your doctor do it if he doesn't even know how far along you can be.  I could not get the results fast enough and paid extra to get the fish results.  I would never have been able to wait longer for the amnio. 
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  • sistrkatesistrkate

    I don't know, there's something about that CVS test that really freaks me out.  Even if I got questionable results on my NT, I still think I'd be inclined to wait for an amnio.  It just seems like a more "proven" technology to me, I guess since it's been around longer.  My OB told me that there is only a slight risk of miscarriage with both tests, but that it is slightly higher with the CVS.  That risk right there is enough to make me inclined to wait for an amnio should I have to make that decision.

    Of course, it's really easy for me to say that since I am not the one who is facing the uncertainty.  I'd for sure want my husband with me for the procedure, and that would help in my decision too.

    Good luck, Jennifer.  I know the past few days have been really tough on you.  I hope you find peace soon.

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  • SFAug07SFAug07 member

    I read up on both CVS and Amnio and decided against the CVS as it has a much higher risk of miscarriage (1:100) than the amnio. What really scared me about the amnio / CVS was the miscarriage risk - most likely you'd lose a perfectly healthy baby because of something you decided on. For us, the much lower risk of the amnio was worth the wait. I got my first tri results at 11 weeks and had the amnio at around 17 weeks but the weeks between were not bad at all as I was ensured that most likely baby is okay anyway (99.5%). I had similar results to yours (1:148 for Down's). My husband and I talked about it a lot and made the decision for the amnio together...

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  • dccjdccj
    I had my CVS in mid- November when I was about 13 weeks.  The risk for the CVS in part depends on the technical experience of the person performing the CVS.  If the center does regular CVS procedures they should be able to tell you their specific clinic miscarriage ratio to procedures performed.  I was very happy with the test and getting the results back so quickly.  Good luck!   
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  • JOEBunnyJOEBunny member
    imageSFAug07:

    I read up on both CVS and Amnio and decided against the CVS as it has a much higher risk of miscarriage (1:100) than the amnio. What really scared me about the amnio / CVS was the miscarriage risk - most likely you'd lose a perfectly healthy baby because of something you decided on. For us, the much lower risk of the amnio was worth the wait. I got my first tri results at 11 weeks and had the amnio at around 17 weeks but the weeks between were not bad at all as I was ensured that most likely baby is okay anyway (99.5%). I had similar results to yours (1:148 for Down's). My husband and I talked about it a lot and made the decision for the amnio together...

    This is simply not true.  The risk is very close to the same for both test at most doctors who perform these on a regular basis.  I think that there are significant advantages to earlier testing emotionally and possibly physically depending on what the results are.

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  • SFAug07SFAug07 member
    imageJOEBunny:
    imageSFAug07:

    I read up on both CVS and Amnio and decided against the CVS as it has a much higher risk of miscarriage (1:100) than the amnio. What really scared me about the amnio / CVS was the miscarriage risk - most likely you'd lose a perfectly healthy baby because of something you decided on. For us, the much lower risk of the amnio was worth the wait. I got my first tri results at 11 weeks and had the amnio at around 17 weeks but the weeks between were not bad at all as I was ensured that most likely baby is okay anyway (99.5%). I had similar results to yours (1:148 for Down's). My husband and I talked about it a lot and made the decision for the amnio together...

    This is simply not true.  The risk is very close to the same for both test at most doctors who perform these on a regular basis.  I think that there are significant advantages to earlier testing emotionally and possibly physically depending on what the results are.

    Let's agree to disagree here. Some studies suggest the risks are the same, some suggest the ones for CVS are higher. Personally, I decided to wait and take the possibly lower risk for a few weeks of my personal comfort.

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