Tests during pregnancy - Chorionic-Villi-Sampling-(CVS)- Pregnancy forum

Chorionic Villi Sampling (CVS)
Chorionic villus sampling is performed on pregnant women who are at risk for carrying a baby with a genetic or chromosomal defect. The test is usually performed between the 10th and 12th week of pregnancy. CVS is done instead of amniocentesis. Because the chance of having a child with downs sydnrome increases with maternal age, it is recommended that women age 35 and older recieve the test. If you have a history of miscarriage or have a family history of genetic disease, you may also be offered the test.

For women who have experienced vaginal bleeding or spotting during their pregnancy, chorionic villus sampling is not recommended. It is not typically recommended for women who have Rh sensitization from a previous pregnancy.

Procedure:
The procedure is performed either through the vagina and the cervix (transcervically) or through the abdomen (transabdominally). Sometimes the patient can decide which she prefers. In some cases, the location of the placenta dictates which method the doctor uses. Both methods are equally safe and effective. Following the preparation time, both procedures take only about five minutes. Some women will not experience any pain, and others may feel a pinching or cramping sensation.

During the transcervical procedure, the woman lies on an examining table on her back with her feet in stirrups. The vaginal area is thoroughly cleansed with an antiseptic and a sterile speculum is inserted into her vagina and opened. The cervix is then cleansed with an antiseptic. Using ultrasound as a guide, the doctor inserts a thin, plastic tube called a catheter through the cervix and into the uterus. The passage of the catheter through the cervix may cause cramping. The doctor carefully watches the image produced by the ultrasound and advances the catheter to the chorionic villi. By applying suction from the syringe attached to the other end of the catheter, a small sample of the chorionic villi are obtained. A cramping or pinching feeling may be felt as the sample is being taken. The catheter is then easily withdrawn.

For the transabdominal method, the woman lies on her back on an examining table. Ultrasound enables the doctor to locate the placenta. The specific area on the woman's abdomen is cleansed thoroughly with an antiseptic and a local anesthetic may be injected to numb the area. With ultrasound guidance, a long needle is inserted through the woman's abdominal wall, through the uterine wall and to the chorionic villi. The sample is obtained by applying suction from the syringe.

After the procedure, the sample is immediately sent to the laboratory. At the laboratory, the sample is examined under the microscope and any contaminating cells or material is carefully removed. The villi can be analyzed immediately, or incubated for a day or more to allow for cell division. The cells are stopped in the midst of cell division and spread onto a microscope slide. Cells with clearly separated chromosomes are photographed so that the type and number of chromosomes can be analyzed. Chromosomes are strings of DNA which have been tightly compressed. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes including the sex chromosomes. Rearrangements of the chromosomes or the presence of additional or fewer chromosomes can be identified by examination of the photograph. Down syndrome, for instance, is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. In addition to the chromosomal analysis, specialized tests can be performed as needed to look for specific diseases such as Tay-Sachs Disease. Depending upon which tests are performed, results may be available as early as two days or up to eight days after the procedure.

Comments: Tests during pregnancy - Chorionic-Villi-Sampling-(CVS)

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number5forme - 52 days ago.
Just wanted to post that I am growing a perfectly healthy baby this time - YAY!!!!!!

number5forme - 53 days ago.
Today I had my second CVS (the last one was with my previous pregnancy - the result for the first one was DS) it was very uncomfortable but rather quick so not too painful to endure. I was EXTREMELY nervous though not so much about the Dr. or the procedure as I had great faith in him (and you can be sure I drilled him AGAIN for HIS OWN PERSONAL STATISTICS, not the hospital's!!!!) but more because I was worried that I may end up miscarrying a perfectly healthy baby. I am getting FISH results in 24hrs thankfully!!! I notice here that most people say that the 2 week wait is much more harder to endure than the actual procedure! I am extremely confident of a positive outcome this time. I did have some severe cramping that I did not remember having last time so you can imagine I went straight to thinking that I was miscarrying!!!! Everyone worked very hard to calm me down and reassure me that cramping was very normal. My Dr's opinion was that because last time we just KNEW that our little girl was struggling so badly (heart and fluid) and she had a 9mm Nuchal Fold (3 x the max that they consider ok) I was so distraught that I just didnt REMEMBER the cramps. He was probably right... Anyway, it is now 8 hours later and even though I am still being very cautious and resting, I am feeling so much better - no more cramping. I am looking forward to my GOOD , no GREAT results tomorrow!!!! I wish everyone the best of luck with your journey and I am hoping for healthy babies for all of you.

charcharsuperstar - 107 days ago.
hi ladies ! i just wanted to tell you , that if your test comes back positive for Downs syndrome, not all is lost. My son had DS, and was the most beautiful baby anyone could ask for. It's not a death sentence , i mean a side effect of DS is happiness ! I know there are struggles, but there are with any child. Pls drop by my page and look at my lovely son if you like. Congrats to all mommies..

Harpchick - 167 days ago.
I had my CVS a little more than 2 weeks ago, due to 'advanced maternal age' (I could smack whoever coined that phrase for us 30-somethings), and a history of Down's Syndrome in my family. Despite an excellent record, my genetics team really botched the job and pierced the amniotic sac; the result has been a critical loss of fluid around my otherwise perfect little girl. The doctors are not hopeful for her survival; we've been told to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. I'm currently on bedrest, drinking like a fiend in the vague hope of boosting fluid production, and trying to stave off depression from it all. Just basically waiting to miscarry with a slight chance it won't happen. I would strongly recommend waiting the few extra weeks and having an amnio, with its slightly smaller risk of miscarriage, over CVS. I know I would never have one again.

misslynnz - 181 days ago.
My specialist told me to wait a week to get the blood tests back. He said there is a slight chance with the CVS test diagnosing Tetraploidy, the placenta can have the genetic problem and the baby could be fine. However, the baby will most likely have growth problems because the placenta will not be working properly or can still have Downs. The specialist suggested I might want to wait a month to get the amio test done to know for sure. What's the point. . . the odds don't look good! They talked about me going to a specialist in the next county over to do a two day procedure. I think they said they put seaweed in my uterus to absorb the liquid and the next day they would dialate me. It seems all the Doctor's I've talked to suggested the two day procedure so there will not be any scar tissue so we can try again. I don't know if I can go through this again. It's in God's Hands and hoping for a positive outcome.

misslynnz - 182 days ago.
I just got my results back from my CVS test. It is a boy! Unfortunately my baby boy will not be viable due to a rare condition called Tetraploidy. It effects 1 in 3,000 and is fatal. He has 92 chromosomes. What can cause this condition is a twin that did not split or 3 sperm fertilizing one egg. Don't be afraid to get a CVS test if needed. Good luck to all and God Bless!

yalda - 187 days ago.
I am 7 weeks pregnant and dr told me that if i don't do cvs i need to find another ob, amnio is not an option for this dr. Has anyone else experienced this?

mylittleone - 233 days ago.
I have my own theroy about downs, it is not a missing gene it is actually an extra gene. this leads me to believe that people with downs are not disabled they are extra abled, I think the extra geen may be the gene of Joy, anyone who knows someone with downs knows what I'm talking about. Not to say that thought makes raising a downs child any less challanging, however, I would hate to think of it as a good reason to abort, especially after 2 m/c's

misz-cashis-oct08 - 233 days ago.
unfortunately i got the results of my CVS today.my baby has down syndrome. and i am devastated. like ive alreddy had 2 miscarriages and now i thought i was finally having a healthy pregnancy and i was finally relle excited and happy about it.i go on friday to talk to the genetic counselor and discuss my options which is basically to keep the baby with down syndrome or abort my pregnancy.i dont want to abort but i dont know wat else to do. =/ hope u girls are doing better than me <3

halloween*bean - 233 days ago.
I have my CVS testing on Friday. Wish me luck!

misz-cashis-oct08 - 241 days ago.
i got my CVS done today. it was not pleasant. it hurt! it wasnt the worst pain in the world but it was pretty bad. anywayy i gotta wait 2 weeks now for the results! im so anxious. oh well all i can do is pray for the best! =]

momofboys - 246 days ago.
misz-cashis-oct08 - I had an ultrasound but mine was normal. They did tell me if it measures high it could be absolutely nothing. Don't worry.

momofboys - 246 days ago.
misz-cashis-oct08 - I had an ultrasound but mine was normal. They did tell me if it measures high it could be absolutely nothing. Don't worry.

misz-cashis-oct08 - 246 days ago.
hi everyone. i went today for my 1st trimester screening and they told me i should get the CVS because there was too much fluid on the babys neck. they sed if its over 3 they recommend CVS and mine was 3.2 so0 im getting one relle so0n within the next few days. im seriously terrified. i dont know how much over the normal this is. im gonna look it up online and see but im just relle worried. did anyone else get the ultrasound that showed too much fluid? could everything still turn out okay?! im so0 stressed. i dont want nething to be wrong. =[ please help

suezq - 262 days ago.
I'm 42 and on my third attempt at 8 weeks now. I had a CVS (no complications or pain) with my last pregnancy and it came our Turners syndrome with an extreme negative NT. We had to terminate as we were told the girl child would die. I wouldn't dream of not having a CVS. I'm scheduled for one at the end of March. Taking advantage of technology is very beneficial when you need definite answers.

kakimow - 266 days ago.
I had the CVS yesterday. I was a little nervous, but it was very smooth. The Dr. who performed it had done 20,000 before me and that was a comfort. For those of you who did not have good experience with this I'm very surprised. My advice for future Mothers is for you to make sure the Dr. who you choose to do the CVS has done MANY before. Shop around in your area to find that person. It was a very simple procedure that we should not be afraid of and it should not at all be painful. Good luck to the other mothers who are awating results and to those who need to have this done.

hally - 276 days ago.
I guess everyone is different! Mine was terribly painful. Two attempts and I was in tears. I just kept saying 'good lord!' over and over! There were pinching sensations followed immediately by a cramp that was deeper and more painful than any period cramp I've ever had. I bled slightly and my legs were shaking. I wish my experience had been like some others, but I guess we are all different. If there was any doubt in my mind about using pain meds during labor, they flew out the window after what I experienced.

misz-cashis-oct08 - 283 days ago.
well this doesnt have to do with this test.. but i guess it kind of does. i just need some advice! i have 3 possible fathers for my baby. im 6 weeks & 4 days t0day! one is my ex. one is the guy im seeing now. and one was a short time fling. i know it soundsss badddd. =/ anywayy i need some advice. is this test safe? because u have to have the same test done with the needle and all for prenatal paternity. is it safe?? should i have it done?? and another question can u tell the sex of the baby from this test?? i read theres a chance for miscarriage. and ive had 2 miscarriages alreddy. so0 that makes me nervous.. any advice would be amazing. thanxx girlz x0!

asark - 290 days ago.
i had a cvs this morning. it did not hurt at all. you feel nothing. its no big deal. im staying off my feet for today and most of tomorrow and nothing at all strenuous for a week, that's the most difficult part.

lifigirl - 325 days ago.
i have had 8 of these in total because we have a disability that can be passed on to our children(thats the cut it short version anyay)but honestly at your age and with no history i wouldn't put yourself through it the test itself is not bad more apprehensiveness about it i think although it's not comfortable it really isn't that bad i would recommend you choose someone who does the cvs day in day out the more practised they are the better their technique i.e the less it hurts hope this helps if you need more info or want to chat please get in touch one thing i do know about is cvs testing cheers for now

sisko - 351 days ago.
I am 31 and this is my first pregnancy. My husband and I have no family history of genetic disorders. Should I have this test? I would appreciate any assistance.

lisadpa - 377 days ago.
I had my CVS done a day before 11 weeks. I had three losses in a year and they were all due to abnormal chromos (always different ones though--one was even a double trisomy). I'm 41. I wouldn't dream of not having had this test. I had it abdominally and it did hurt, a lot, a lot more than my amnio which didn't hurt at all (w/dd). The local only numbs the skin, I could actually feel the tube being threaded down inside my body. It was excruciating but very very fast. I had no problems afterwards (I was on two days of self-imposed bed rest which was really fun as my dh and MIL took care of my daughter). Thank god, I got great results: 46 perfect chromos and it's a GIRL which is what I dreamed of. I had 'direct analysis' which is different than FISH, I got results on Monday after having the test on Friday! Three days!!!!!!! I would do it all over again.

fergusona - 383 days ago.
Had a CVS on Thursday, painless, quick and uncomplicated! I had no spotting at all. Just a headache due to the stress of the whole thing. I went to a hospital that does it all the time to a very experienced doctor. Results due Monday (and sex of baby)! I am crossing my fingers.

FirstTimer - 392 days ago.
malenas...ask about having the first trimester screening, specifically the nuchal translucency ultrasound coupled with blood work. I just did this due to being high risk, i.e age. Based on the results, we decided not to go forward with CVS.

malenasmommie - 392 days ago.
I have an odd situation. I am 25 and have no family history that would warrant a CVS, however my husband and I are military and during my first tour overseas I was exposed to depleted uranium. My husband worked with radiation for nearly 4 years so they want to check. I am so confused. We have no idea what to do. We want to give our baby the best advantage that we can and if there is something that can be improved by intervention at this point then we will do it but I don't want to risk it. I am very scared. The doc can't even tell us what the chances are that prior exposure will effect the baby. In fact we had a different doc tell us that if there were mutations then we more than likely wouldn't have gotten pregnant much less carried to 9 wks. Any thoughts??? We are scared to death for our little one.