CVS vs. Amnio

winofairy · July 2012

Which did you have (or going to have) and why? I would love to hear your experiences. Both frighten me a lot but I'm almost 41 and would rather be prepared than surprised.

leffe1 · July 2012

I had the amnio only after having unfavorable results from the NT scan (bloodwork).I wouldn't have had the amnio if my NT results were good.

NuggetJo · July 2012

I had the NT scan first and fortunately had exceptional results so decided not to pursue further testing. If I had to have more testing I would have done amnio over CVS

lhcooper · July 2012

I had a CVS because 1) the perinatal center at which I had it done was very experienced; 2) I am a need-to-know-for-sure person, and percentage chances weren't going to do it for me; 3) I knew I would terminate in the face of a serious chromosomal abnormality, and therefore I wanted to know sooner rather than later, since with an amnio one can already be starting to show and even feel the baby move before results come back -- which would have made it even more awful if the results weren't good. I was very anxious about the CVS but in fact experienced no complications, not even cramping, afterwards. And it was wonderful to know for sure that everything was fine by only 14 weeks. Best of luck making your decision!

bklynbmp · July 2012

I had good results from the NT and the MaternT21 so I didn't feel the CVS was warranted. I have yet to do the second round of testing so fingers crossed.

Knowing early would be a big postive for me but as I understand it the Amnio tests for a few more issues than the CVS so I'd probably hold off. Its a tough choice either way but good to have options.

simplein06 · July 2012

lhcooper:

I had a CVS because 1) the perinatal center at which I had it done was very experienced; 2) I am a need-to-know-for-sure person, and percentage chances weren't going to do it for me; 3) I knew I would terminate in the face of a serious chromosomal abnormality, and therefore I wanted to know sooner rather than later, since with an amnio one can already be starting to show and even feel the baby move before results come back -- which would have made it even more awful if the results weren't good. I was very anxious about the CVS but in fact experienced no complications, not even cramping, afterwards. And it was wonderful to know for sure that everything was fine by only 14 weeks. Best of luck making your decision!

All of this, except I did experience cramping and I'm currently waiting for my results.

I personally think it all depends on what your plan would be if there was an abnormality. We did not want to wait for the amnio, for us it was too far along.

simplein06 · July 2012

One thing I should have mentioned in my previous post is that they all test for different things and I would make sure to visit a genetic counselor before making a decision either way. I was scheduled for the quad scan, but had the CVS after meeting with the GC because I wasn't going to get the answers I wanted.

I don't think it is fair to compare an quad scan to either amnio or CVS because both of the latter tests are far more comprehensive.

kirac · July 2012

Agree with previous poster that CVS and Amnio are far more comprehensive than other tests so it's not far to directly compare. We chose an amnio last time (even though it was later, 16 weeks) because the miscarriage rate was lower. This time, however, I have an option for an early amnio (13 - 16 wks) so we are doing the amnio again. It also depends on your the doctor's personal miscarriage rates on the test - ours is .2% so we're excited.

stever · July 2012

leffe1:
I had the amnio only after having unfavorable results from the NT scan (bloodwork).I wouldn't have had the amnio if my NT results were good.

This was me, sort of. I din't have an amnio or CVS but would have had an amnio if my NT and AFP numbers raised any flags.

carladillon · July 2012

I had the cvs done. I was 40 at the time (41 now), and had already experienced one loss. I knew plenty of women that had very positive experiences with the cvs, in addition to my peri having 20 yrs of experience. I *needed* to know so that I could begin bonding with the baby. And I wanted to know definitively ASAP, which is another reason I opted for the cvs.

newenglander71 · July 2012

We chose CVS after the first trimester screening; our odds for DS were 1:100 and even though that was better than the 1:40 for my age (I am 41), we really just needed to know definitively. The procedure was mildly uncomfortable, but not painful, and the recovery was fine.

MainelyFoolish · July 2012

I had a CVS because DH and I wanted the option to terminate in the first trimester in the case of a severe chromosomal abnormality.

Anne22202 · July 2012

I am 37, and had the cvs test last week due to my last pregnancy being very stressful with several markers showing up at my big ultrasound. The cvs was super easy, like a longer pap test. I had no bleeding or discomfort after. I did ask about the maternit21 test, but was told that at this time, it is considered to be screening not diagnostic. If anything weird came up at the ultrasound later, i'd still be asked to do an amnio even if the maternit21 test came back negative. So, that made it seem really unattractive as I am trying to eliminate stress and worry! I also had an amnio my last pregnancy, and I found it to be more stressful and uncomfortable. Both tests have a 1 in 1000 loss rate at my hospital. Good

Luck, I think both tests are way easier than most people think and it is great to relax with good results!

Adi · July 2012

If we had gotten unfavorable odds with the first trimester blood draw combined with NT scan, DH and I would have done the CVS so we would have the option to terminate. We were fortunateto not need that route, but the CVS and Amnio both give definite DNA results where as the quad screen,NT scan, and the integrated screening are just odds.

If you don't think you would wish to terminate either way, the amnio has a slightly lower risk of miscarriage (both are still less than 1%), but you would have to wait until the 2nd trimester for it.

I would talk to the geneticists to help you make a decision.

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