Hello all

I just wanted to update this thread - I hate when you search for a topic, find a thread, and never find out the resolution!

We had the CVS last week, 10 days ago now. We went in on Tuesday morning, to Malvern Women's Ultrasound to see Dr Paul Sheckleton.

First, he did a quite long and comprehensive scan, showing us the tiny waving fingers, nose, doing all his checks. He was so lovely and friendly and it was calming and reassuring to see the baby happy and healthy - this really helped me relax a lot.

While he was doing the scan, he checked that we had all of the info on the CVS. A young woman then came in with the massive tray of all the equiptment. Paul then encouraged me to just look at the monitor from this point, and my husband sat by me holding my hand and stroking it. Paul wiped down my belly with HEAPS of alcohol, two times.

He then explained to me that he would inject the local anaesthetic into the skin, which would sting, BUT then he also injects it further in, down a layer. He explained that this can really catch women by surprise, it hurts, and feels like someone is injecting you from inside into your belly. He wanted me to be prepared for this.

So, in went the local, ouch, then ARGHHHHH!!!!! Yep into the next layer, jeepers, it look my breath away, my mouth opened right up, I turned to DH and later he said my face expression looked like someone had stabbed me in the guts! Yep that was the most painful part!

But then, in went the thick long needle, and I didn't even feel it! The whole area was numb, even the deeper layer. I could see the needle going in on the screen. A thinner needle goes down INSIDE the thicker needle, adn it is thrust in and out quite vigorously! Like if you have seen liposuction on the tv, where they jab the needle in and out really quickly - well, that's what the thin needle does inside the thick needle! They do that several times, removing some tissue each time, then reinserting the needle (you can't feel this at all, but I could see it on the screen).

DH said later that the tissue is REALLY pink - not blood coloured, but like pink medicine syrup, almost the colour of a highlighter!

After that was all done, he added some antiseptic to my belly, and put on a bandaid cos the site bleeds a bit. I lay there for 5 minutes, then they took us to a small room with a sofa to rest and have a cup of tea. I was feeling pretty darn fragile at this point. After 20 mins, DH helped me dress and took me home to bed. He took the day off work, and we lay in bed all day sleeping and watching a DVD.

I was pretty exhausted, and really glad to have a full day to sleep. The clinic recommends "resting" for the day, but says you can go back to work if you take it easy?! No way IMO! I took two whole days off, stayed in bed the whole time sleeping. I figure my body is working hard to repair the placenta, I wanted to give it lots of time! I didn't have ANY spotting, and only the slightest of mild cramps, and I do wonder if that was because I just stayed flat on my back for 2 days! I'm glad.

My FISH tests were due the next morning (the Wed) when I was still at home. I called, and they said the clinic was really busy (the pathology clinic) and they wouldn't be in until 5pm!!! Arghhhh that was the worst day, the waiting! But at 5pm, they told me over the phone that we are CLEAR for trisomy 13, 18 and 21! WOOHOO!!! And we are having a little GIRL!!!

So all in all a good result. But so, so stressful (I got quite worked up the second day waiting in bed all day for the results) and pretty ouchy IMO! Not in a hurry to get that done again.

The area bruised quite badly, and 10 days later there is still a faint bruise. But I think Paul Sheckleton does a really amazing job. And now we can relax and enjoy the pregnancy (14 weeks now).

I hope that that helps some people one day!