CVS-just need to talk through it

Lesleyjking · August 2011

Hi guys, I am 36 and hub and I tried 2 yrs before becoming preg with Clomid and our first IUI. I am 10 wks and so torn. I know genetic testing is a personal decision, but welcome input and feedback-just need to talk through it with other ladies. So I was suppose to have my NT standard genetic blood test today and the scan next Friday. I told my OB that I think I want to do the CVS so she said then we dont do the NT. At anyrate, originally my thought was to do the NT and if there were risk factors to then do the CVS. You cant really do the CVS past 12 wks so I am close to the deadline. I have my genetic counseling on Friday to discuss the CVS which will take place the following Friday, the Friday I was originally going to do the NT scan. I am going to ask if I can do the blood test on Fri for the NT and see if I can do the genetic scan before the CVS-I think.

I live in San Francisco and the Dr who would be doing this is a specialist and suppose to be one of the best, at one of the best groups in N CAL. From my understanding the risk is lower with a specialist and the stats are taking from all hospitals nationwide so it can "scew" the actual risk.

Does anyone know the detection difference btw the NT and CVS? Anyone here with experience with the CVS-and any issues with it? How long should I rest after?

Sorry, I know lots of questions I can ask my gen counselor, just on my mind and needed to get it out.

Thank you all!

Geeps2 · August 2011

It's a lot to consider isn't it! I am in the minority in that I only did the NT scan (I am 37) and the only reason I did it was to have another ultrasound. There are so many false positives with this test that to me it is basically meaningless and I could care less what the blood results say. I just wanted to make sure the baby was still alive and kicking but that is just me.

I am not a need to know person, I would not terminate this pregnancy if I found out my baby had something wrong with it so in my mind there was no reason to test any further. Again, that is what I am comfortable with.

Some people need to know and that is perfectly ok too! You have to do what you are comfortable with. Do you need to know? What will you do with the information once you get it? These are questions only you can answer and there is no right or wrong it is what works for you and leaves you with the most peace of mind.

I'm sure the ladies on here will be chock full of info on the subject.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

Simonsaysbaby · August 2011

I understand your need to talk it out. With my son (9 years ago) we had the quad test done, there was no NT scan back then I don't think. Our results came back very high in markers for Down Syndrome. We went to Mayo Clinic for our level 2 ultrasound, and were offered an amnio, however we declined the amnio. I guess maybe my mind could have been put at ease by having the diagnostic test (amnio, or in your case, cvs), but I just couldn't bring myself to do it, even at an institution such as Mayo. We were already like almost 20 weeks, and we surely wouldn't terminate no matter what so didn't want to risk losing the babe at all. So, the rest of my pregnancy I was extremely worried about the baby having DS. He was of course, born with no signs of DS, and is a healthy happy 9 year old now. Fast forward to now...we are FINALLY pregnant again after years of trying...my husband saw what the inaccurate test did to me emotionally, and he was flat out against any genetic testing at all this time around. It took some thought, but I agreed. I am a woman of faith, and I believe that THIS child is THE child that God wants us to have, despite any imperfections or disabilities. This baby was chosen for us. I know some women need to know, and feel that they are better off if they can prepare ahead of time. I guess its such a personal decision. You have to do what is right for you, and what you can live with. Can you live with not knowing for the pregnancy? Will it drive you nuts? Or do you feel like you needt to know? I don't have answers, but can only share my personal feelings and experience. If this baby comes out with a disability that could have been detected earlier by testing will I wish I had the testing? Probably only if there was something they could do to fix it...otherwise, as long as baby looks good on my every other week ultrasounds, is growing well, moving around, and meeting the Dr.s goals, I am going to enjoy this pregnancy that I have waited so long for! Best of luck to you...whatever you choose to do!

aurora1974 · August 2011

I understand your struggle. I was never offered the CVS so my only option was to have the NT scan and then amnio if needed or never know. I chose to have the NT scan. DH and I agreed that we wouldn't terminate the pregnancy if something was wrong, but we are both planners and really felt that if something were wrong we would need/want the time to prepare for it. So when I went in for the NT scan I decided that since the risk of m/c with amnio according to the doc was 1:400 that if my odds were worse than that something was wrong I would have the amnio. Thankfully my results came back with a 1:5200 chance of DS so I am not having an amnio. That is simply what I was comfortable with doing.

Like pp said, this is a very personal decision. I did what I was the most comfortable with. Good luck with whatever you decide.

jb2rn · August 2011

Well, the NT scan is totally non invasive, so we chose that first (ok b/w is non invasive but no needles to the belly). Mine came back with low odds, but if it had not, we would do the CVS or Amnio. We would not terminate, but knowing in advance would help us plan and make decisions (pedi, where to deliver, etc...)

Huahine · August 2011

I was on pelvic rest early in this pregnancy (after struggling for almost a year to get pregnant) due to cramping and bleeding. So when I discussed the various testing options with my doctors I wasn't interested in doing anything that could possibly rock what was already a pretty unstable boat without a good reason for doing so. So we skipped the CVS and did the NT Scan/Bloodwork.

If our NT and Bloodwork had come back with bad odds, then we would have done the Amnio to get a more concrete diagnosis. But then, we were agreed that we would terminate if there was something wrong, so that drove our decisions.

Knowing what I do now about the various tests and the numbers of false positives and drama caused by the NT Scan, next time, if I wasn't a miscarriage risk already, I would consider doing the CVS and skipping the NT.

yankeebear · August 2011

The NT scan just gives you odds based on the combination of your age, your blood test and the ultrasound. The CVS extracts fluid from around the placenta and they look at the actual chromosomes.

With my first pregnancy I was 38 and had the NT scan. Everything came back in normal range so we were satisfied not to do any further testing. Neither DH nor I have any genetic issues in our families.

I suffered two miscarriages prior to this pregnancy and now I'm 42. I decided to go straight for the CVS because I wanted conclusive results. (Doc only recommended the NT scan - so this was my decision entirely.) The CVS came back with great results and I'm glad I did it.

The procedure itself is not too bad. I had it done transabdominally and they just numbed my belly and inserted a really big needle. If you have issues with needles this could be a problem but it wasn't for me. I watched the ultrasound screen the whole time and could see the baby swimming around below. I thought the whole thing was kind of cool.

Good luck with your decision!

paulaanne · August 2011

For me, I did the NT Scan only (which as a PP said is not the most popular choice) but when I asked about the CVS my doc strongly advised against it considering my age (35) ... he said the risk of CVS was not worth it for me - he said he usually recommends it for women over 40. I am not sure this is typical at all, but just what my doc said. The NT is not risky at all where the CVS is much more invasive, but much more accurate. I did the NT and was happy with my results, but I know a lot of women are not fans due to false positives,etc. That is my story! ... Good Luck with you decision!

MrsJordanalmond · August 2011

i had a cvs with both pregnancies (at 38 and again 42 - dh is 51). i knew that i wanted the procedure and so i don't even know what my docs policy is on recommending them.

for us, it was an easy decision. we 'needed' to know (could not deal with the uncertainty of false positives, and odds). also, dh and i were 100% on the same page about how we would handle the results, and if there was anything difficult, we wanted to know ASAP. i also did a shitton of research on the risks, and found them to be minimial with the right provider. we felt that the risk was worth the knowledge. both my CVS were transabdominal - not pleasant - but over quickly and not horrible. depending on where the placenta is, the doc could also go thru the cervix.

anyway, for us, it was an easy decision. and event tho i'm in the pro CVS camp, it doesn't mean i think everyone should have one or needs one ... in fact, if i knew for sure that i would not terminate ... i probably wouldn't do any invasive tests unless the nt/quad screen showed a reason ... and then it would be about preparation.

seems to me that you are leaning towards not having one ... and that is a fine decision. go with the early scans and if you are uncomfortable with those results, you can always do an amnio.

good luck : )

alliapistor · August 2011

Our plan was to do the NT scan and if that showed a high risk to do the CVS the same day. To accomplish this, we did the blood work a week early so that the results were ready on the day we had the ultrasound.

Lesleyjking · August 2011

Thank you all- I appreciate all of your feedback. It is the hardest decision yet, I keep flip flopping back and forth. Hub and I discussed we cant assume what we would do without being presented with the situation, etc... I know the genetic counseling will help, but it is so nerve wracking!

For those that did opt for the CVS, what was your recovery. Did you bed rest for 48 hrs? Get back to normal activity/excercise in 3 days? I know Ill get this info from the GC< but all these questions are roaming through my mind-recovery not a big deal since I would get it on a Friday.

Thank you guys again!!!

MrsJordanalmond · August 2011

i know it's hard ... try not to worry so hard, this isn't a make or break decision ... if you are unhappy with skipping the CVS you can always opt for an amnio.

anyway, with both CVS i had them before noon, and just chilled out for the rest of the day. back to work next day - have an office job. if you have a physically demanding job - you may want to take another day. also, i am a sloth by nature so i didn't need to 'curb' my work out (ha!) ... but you would need to relax that as well for another day. it really wasn't a biggie.

good luck with your decision.

Want a personalized experience?

CVS-just need to talk through it

Re: CVS-just need to talk through it

Choose Another Board

Search Boards