Celtic Moon,
Welcome to Belly Belly. Some of the abbreviations are a bit tricky! Mum2Bee has sorted you out re: the jargon. BFP is Big Fat Positive (preg.test)!
CVS is chorionic Villus sampling. CVS requires taking a small piece of the chorionic villi, which are wispy bits of tissue that attach the fetal sac to the wall of the uterus. A pathology laboratory analyses cells from the villi, which normally have the same genetic and biochemical makeup as the fetus. This test can be done earlier in the pregnancy than amniocentesis.
NT is Nuchal Translucency. Loosley from around 11 weeks until about 13.3 weeks the baby has a fluid filled space at the back of her/his neck. This is the nuchal fold. Gradually the baby grows into this and it can't be detected thus the small window for this test. Babies that have chromosomal abnormalities usually (but not always!) have an enlarged nuchal fold. Remembering this is a screening test only. If the NT test indicates there may be a problem more invasive testing such as CVS or Amniocentesis may be offered. Results of a NT test are given in 1:whatever risk. So you may get a result that looks like 1:750 for example which would tell you that it is your baby's expected risk factor for chromosomal abnormality is 1:750. This is compared with your age risk factor. Now days the test is usually (but not always) done in conjunction with bloods to give a risk factor for some chromosomal disorders (primarily trisomy 21 or Down's Syndrome is what many women are concerned for).
The test is done in either a specialist obstetricians rooms or an imaging centre and the results are often given immediately or if in an imaging centre the results are given to your care provider who gives them to you.
Bookmarks