Did your doctor recommend having these tests just to be safe because of our ages, or were they recommended after doing the first trimester screening tests which just use a blood test and ultrasound to tell you whether or not you have increased odds of having a problem, or did you request them?
My next appointment is Friday and I will ask him, but just curious how some of you came to the decision.

Layla 01.08.12

Chloe and Vivian 07.23.13

My Gang. Halloween 2013
Re: Those doing CVS or amnio...
i had a cvs with both my pregnancies.
the nt scans/quad screens/etc. are screening tests and give you odds, while cvs or amnio are diagnostic. the main advantage of the cvs is that it can be done as early as 10 weeks, but you have to wait longer for an amnio.
for us, it was an easy ... we wanted definitive results as soon as possible so that we could make whatever decisions before the pregnancy became 'public'. if we hadn't been so clear on what we would do with the results, i think i probably would have done an amnio. if you and your partner (i'm assuming there is one : ) aren't sure what you 'would do' then maybe doing the early scans and blood tests will be enough for you.
if you do choose an cvs, be sure to go to an experienced doc ... those that do more have a low mc rate. again, for us the peace of mind was worth the risk.
good luck ...
I was on the fence about how I felt concerning what I would do with the results. My husband said that in the case of Down's, he would absolutely want to continue with the pregnancy, and I had been leaning the same way. If it were something more severe, I would have to reevaluate at that time.
I would want to know, however, just to be able to prepare, as it would be such a huge life change. I guess I could see how the odds come out before deciding to go further.
I am embarassed to admit this, but I am deathly afraid of the tests. I even start to feel light headed and dizzy and nauseous just reading about the birth stories. I need to get over these fears. I was a teen mom with my first and had a natural birth, and somehow now as an adult I have developed phobias and anxiety over medical procedures and pain.
Layla 01.08.12
Chloe and Vivian 07.23.13
My Gang. Halloween 2013
My doc only recommended the first tri screening. (I am 42.) I chose to skip this and instead go right to the CVS. My main reason was that I wanted to have conclusive results and figured it would be silly to do the screening and then the CVS. Plus my insurance kind of stinks so I didn't want to pay for two tests.
I had my first DD at 38 and had the first tri screening and was comfortable with just that. I've had two m/c since and due to being over 40 I decided to go right for CVS. Hope this help you.