I agree with everyone else it is very strange that you were referred for that test before the 11 week blood and 12 week Nuchal fold scan.
I am 36 and jusy had my bloods and scan done. I came in at about 1:450 and my ultrasound guy and midwife said they don't even suggest referral for women for a CVS or amnio unless their result is greater than 1:300.
Good on you for looking into it and questioning things - too many of us just accept that a doctors word is like the word of the Almighty.
Thank you all for all the replies. After having read numerous responses, I have decided to tell my Ob that I will not risk my baby by having the CVS done. It really sounds funny now that all of you tell me that CVS is ordered when NT and blood tests show some risk. In my case, I think it sounds so "fishy" being the fact that my Ob never mention the option to test for Down's Syndrome using a harmless way. In fact, maybe she could be benefiting from me doing the test (some doctors get commission for getting their patients to do a test at a private lab).
On my next visit, I will just tell her boldly that I will opt this CVS test. If she offers a blood test or NT, I will consider as they don't cause any harm to me or my baby.
Again, thank you all for your support and comments. I will keep you all updated with my Ob's response upon hearing my concerns.... Actually, I have thought about changing Ob since I found that she is not very professional in the ways she handles matters!
Yep definately strange unless she has something really against the accuracy of the NT Scan but then she shouldnt be pushing her views and choices onto you! I thought maybe if you were a lot older and had a history of downs she may have gone straight for a more accurate test but being 24 with no family history I have no idea why she hasnt done the NT scan firstly :S. Maybe talk to her and ask why she felt the need to book you in straight for the CVS and not offer you the option of a NT Scan? Maybe theres a reason we aren't seeing in her actions that's all I can really think of best of luck and keep well
Your over 18 weeks preg? Isn't the NT scan only accurate between 12 and 13weeks? Can't they give you just a simple blood test at 19 weeks to know for sure?
Kazbah, I live in Canada which is far from where most of you are located. Wish I could ask one of you to refer me to a good Ob, but I guess I have to ask around....
In two weeks, I will be seeing my Ob, I already have a list of questions for her. I guess I am hoping that the visit will turn out positive!
Carmen one thing you need to think about is if the test was positive for downs would you terminate? If the answer to this question is no then there is no reason to have the CVS.
I like everyone who posted am very surprised that you were offered this test considering your age and history.
Don't know if it's appropriate, but just wanted to share my friends journey which is quite the opposite. She was 23 and her doctor therefore said Don't bother with tests, you don't need them, low risk etc. So at 35 weeks or so, the Dr knew something was wrong, and so did my friend, and it turned out the baby was so severly deformed (not sure exactly) but giving birth would've killed my friend. They had to terminate at 38 weeks. So I so strongly recommend having tests like the nuchal and the u/s at 20 weeks. That's all they had to do for her, do the scan at 20 weeks and she would've known. Of course both those tests are non intrusive and safe.
So the poor thing went through hell for the neglegence of her doc. xo
As I am only 10 weeks, I think I will go and ask my Ob for NT test instead of going straight to CVS. If there's a need, I might then consider to do the CVS. At this point, I just don't want to risk my baby's life (even though it's only 1%, but I think that 1% could happen to anyone, right?)
Fingers crossed... as I'm seeing my Ob in about 2 weeks, let's hope everything will go smoothly.
Hi Carmen, I had the bloods part of the test done last night, apparantly the bloods need to be done at a certain time for accurate results so make sure you see your OB whilst you are still in that time frame. According the to the leaflet I got from my OB it says... "The blood test is most informative if collected during the tenth week of pregnancy, however it can be collected up until 12 weeks of pregnancy". (the ultrasound between 11 weeks 3 days and 13 weeks 6 days)
Good on you Carmen. Most people don't need a CVS or amnio, especially in your age group and I'm sure you will be fine if you want to go for an NT scan and the bloods.
Don't let your OB or anyone scare you into such an invasive test before any non-invasive tests have been carried out. Your OB doesn't sound very competent to me.
I am scheduled to the NT and the blood test on April 26. Do you think this would be too late to do the blood test? I know that the NT test is okay, but not sure about the blood test!
u can do the blood test before or after the scan then they can combine the results... i didn't have the bloods after a i:5790 chance on the scan they told me not to bother
Carmen i would absolutely have the NT and blood test first then if your risk factors are high then maybe consider it. You are 24 you shouldnt have any worries in that area!??
dannik, I got my Ob to schedule me for a NT and blood test next week instead of the CVS. I will not risk my baby's life unless the NT test proved there's a higher risk. Let me tell you though, I was so worried about this whole CVS test until I posted in BB. I could not believe the support I got which I really needed to help me decide what to do! Thank you!
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