I just wrote a long post and it disappeared. Grrrr I will try and remember my main points.
Would you consider an amnio instead of a cvs? The risk of m/c is lower.
Also, the risk is actually lower than they report because they include any m/c within 2 weeks of the cvs for statistics. You could imagine that some of these pregnancies were going end in m/c anyway as cvs are usually performed when a problem is suspected. The risk is also lower when it is performed by an experienced doctor.
I had both a cvs and an amnio. For me the risk of miscarriage paled in comparison to the risk that there would be something wrong with my baby. I lost a baby at 12 weeks, so I do understand the heartbreak of miscarriage.
There are no easy answers. For me I had to just think about the outcomes. How do you feel about possibly having a baby with trisomy 13? Would you chose to terminate or is the cvs just so you know what to expect?
You are in a difficult situation. I really feel for you.
I hope that I never find myself in your situation but the only advice that I can give you is, will knowing change anything, if so, I think I would have it but if the answer is no then I don't think that I would.
Thanks so much Dianne, csab and Holly, for your replies.
If we found out there was a trisomy before 14 weeks, I believe we would terminate. So for me, there is a reason to do the CVS. And of course, if nothing is wrong, WOW what a relief and I can relax.
However if we found out after that (e.g. if we had an amnio instead), I would definately not terminate, I would carry to term. So having an amnio isn't probably something I would do.
The guy who will do the CVS is meant to be SUPER experienced, and apparently the risk really reduces with the experience of the practitioner?
Grrrrr bloody DH is now saying "oh we should just leave it" BUT this is only cos he found out it costs $1200 and he is a total tight arse. GRRRR I told him the cost has no impact on my decision, so he has shut up quickly!
Dianne do you mind if I ask you a more specific question? Bearing in mind that I have no moral feelings against later termination. I am wondering if you ended Emmanuel's pregnancy, or if it was a natural miscarriage? Because I keep thinking, as well as the risk of miscarriage from the CVS, even if we didn't have it, I could miscarry later with a trisomy 13 right? PLEASE do not feel obliged to answer *heart*
Muppity - Yes this is the question that keeps coming up... BUT even if we found out later, and were not going to terminate, I actually would prefer to know, so I was prepared for the ill baby etc. and was mentally prepared to lose the baby in the first year...
Talia - I have a close friend & my MIL who both birthed a baby with Trisomy 13. It is not compatible with life, but both made it to term.
My friends DD lived for 6 days & MIL's DS for about 3 days.
Neither of them knew til birth. My friend was young & didn't seek medical care very early, I think thats why she didn't know.
My MIL never went back to her doctor again, because from his physical appearance it should've been picked up on an u/s, but she was not told in any way that something may be wrong.
I just want to wish you well. I really don't know what I'd do in your situation. Can they do a normal u/s now & see if they can see any markers for problems now, before you decide what to do?
Talia - In July this year I was given a 1 in 4 chance of having a baby with Trisomy 13. After much questioning we decided that we needed to know the answer outright as we had made a decision that we would not be able to proceed with our pregnancy if this outcome was not favourable. I chose to have the CVS procedure and my doctor was very experienced and also a gentle person who made me feel very relaxed. That was my main concern that the person doing the procedure had lots of experience and it was definately a bonus that he was a nice person too as I was a wreck that day. I think that I would definately have this procedure done again as I feel that in the right hands the risk of miscarriage is lower than the statistics state. However there is still a chance. If you need to know and you will be unsettled and anxious for the rest of your pregnancy without the procedure then I would definately suggest having the CVS. However this is just my opinion and as the others have said only you and your DH can make that decision. Good luck and I hope everything goes well for you.
Talia, we were told that we would have to make the decision whether to terminate our pregnancy or not as Trisomy 13 is not compatible with life and Emmanuel had full Trisomy 13. It was definately the hardest decision we have ever had to make. We did decide that we would terminate as we didn't want Emmanuel to suffer any more but I actually went into labour naturally and delivered Emmanuel after 15hrs of labour. A very high percentage of babies with Trisomy 13 don't survive full term or if they do pass away not long after birth.
I didn't have to pay for my cvs or amnio. I went to a public hospital, which I think was good because they were very experienced. But the cost is really the least worry.
I'm wondering why you would terminate before 14 weeks but not after? You don't have to answer. I guess I'm just thinking that it would be really difficult at any point.
Initially we were told that our baby wouldn't survive pregnancy. At this point I was going to terminate because I thought it would be easier to terminate surgically rather than wait for the inevitable.
It does sound like you have made up your mind. And please know that whatever choice you make you have lots of support.
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