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Pregnant after 35
CVS v. Amnio (question from a lurker)
Hi, all, thanks for letting me steal a few minutes of your time.
I'm 39 and pregnant with our second baby. We would really like to do diagnostic testing this time around (last time we relied on our NT scan and related screens). If you considered both CVS and Amnio, why did you chose what you did and would you have done anything different? Also, any other important info or thoughts/ experiences you could share would be greatly appreciated.
Many Thanks!
DD2- May 2012
1/26/11- missed m/c @ 12 weeks
1/26/11- missed m/c @ 12 weeks
This discussion has been closed.
Re: CVS v. Amnio (question from a lurker)
(I didn't have either but I do have some info that might help....)
CVS can be done much earlier than amnio - amnio is usually done around 16 weeks and CVS can be done closer to 11 or 12 weeks. Both test examine fetal cells - CVS through the cells from the placenta and amnio through skin cells present in the amniotic fluid. Both present miscarriage risks, although low.
mostly it will come down to personal decision - if you are just looking for information to be prepared for a special needs baby then either will work. If, however, you would terminate in the case of a genetic 'defect' - then CVS and an earlier diagnosis would (probably) be better.
We had the NT scan done - it doesn't give you pefect answers, just odds based on info. Given our 'odds' though, we're skipping both the CVS and amnio (although I'm tempted to do amnio if it's covered by insurance just to be 100% sure). I'm on the "older" end of the scale though at 42. I'm still on the fence - I'll talk to my doctor at my next appt. and trust her judgement.
DH and I opted for the CVS mainly because it was done earlier in the pregnancy. If you have an experienced doctor, the risk is essentially nil. I will say that I was extremely nervous before hand, but the procedure was so quick and felt like nothing more than a pap smear. The results came back within a week and it was a relief to know everything was fine. Also, it is nice because I can skip all the other tests that women may opt to get if they don't get an amnio or cvs, and that helps my anxiety levels considerably. I will still have the anatomy test between 18-20 weeks. Plus, since the CVS is diagnostic, it is more accurate then a lot of the scans and blood tests that you can opt for if you don't want to have a CVS or amnio (that was what I was told, at least).
Having said all that, we knew the CVS was for us, but deciding to have one of these done is very personal, and I respect people for which ever way they decide.
I did amnio with Margaux, and transabdominal CVS just a couple of days ago with this new one.
We opted for CVS over amnio this time because of the earlier results, I am going crazy not telling my family and this way we can spill the beans sooner. The disadvantage of CVS is that it can't check for spina bifida or the like, but that can be done through blood test later on anyway.
With Margaux, I thought the NT scan would be enough, but it just ended up freaking me out even though the results were perfectly fine. I guess I'm just a "need to know" person.
Good luck!