What did you choose & why? CVS or AMNIO.

[AnnaBelle]

Hi there,

DH & I are considering having either a cvs or Amnio test and have a couple
of questions.

Which one did you have - cvs or amnio?
What made you decide?
Is one any "safer" and tells you more?
When do you have these tests done?

Thanks any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Amie]

Hey Annabelle,

Congrats on your pg!

I haven't had either test, but just wanted to say that there's loads of info out there about pre-natal testing and am sure lots of BB members can help you out. The good thing is that, these days, you can find pretty extensive lists of both pros and cons of various tests both here on BB and in various books (I like "gentle birth, gentle mothering").

I think the most important thing when considering any test is for you and your partner to discuss what difference, if any, it would make if you were to get a not-so-good result from a CVS or amnio. Of course it's all hypothetical before you actually have any testing done, but it can help alot in the decision-making process if you have a definite sense of why you're wanting them done.

HTH xo

[~Flossie~]

hi,

I had a CVS as my NT ultrasound result returned a 1:12 risk for Downs. The risk of m/c for a CVS (1:100)is higher than an Amnio ( 1:200) . There are risks with all procedures .

You have a CVS (optimally at 11 to 13 weeks of pregnancy) compared to amniocentesis (15 to 16 weeks of pregnancy).

As my results were so high, the 1:12, DD showed very thick NT measurment, however i was only 26. We wanted to know if there may have been a syndrome or not.

The week after the CVS was performed i was on bed rest, and took it really easy. DId nothing actually read books, thank goodness i didnt have the internet at home or i would have googled myself silly! anyway our results returned a healthy girl.

We went through genetic couselling before the test was performed and discussed options should the results reveal a syndorme or genetic condition.

All the best, with you results xox

[suse]

Annabelle, may I ask, is there any particular reason why you are considering these tests? Do you have a particular risk factor that has been identified by other tests (eg nuchal translucency), or a preexisting genetic condition common to your family or your partner's?

Both CVS (chorionic villi sampling - ie: a small sample of the placenta is taken) and amniocentesis (sample of the amniotic fluid) carry a high risk of miscarriage - 1:100 for CVS and 1:200 for amniocentesis. CVS can be performed earlier in the pregnancy (towards the end of the first trimester), whereas amniocentesis cannot be performed until later in the pregnancy (from 16-20 weeks). Both are generally considered accurate although amnio can also identify spina bifida.

Due to the risk factor, neither test is considered standard, even for women above 35. If you are considering it, like SJH said, consider what implication a less than positive result would have and whether you would choose not to keep the pregnancy as a result.

Good luck!

[satya]

I had an amnio. The reason I had this was that I had a 1/37 chance of having a DS baby. This was mainly due to age (will be 42 when bubs is born) but also had a 4.2 NT measurement at the 12 week scan. At that time I was waiting to see my current OB for the first time (a different OB who I decided not to continue with had given me the referral for the scan) and got phone calls from both OB's and both recommended an amnio not a CVS. CVS has double the m/c risk and is not as accurate as an amnio (pretty close though). Regardless of what test you have you can still have a good result (no abnormalities detected) and still go on to have a baby with a chromosonal problem as neither test is 100% (this is extremely rare, but does happen).

If I were you I'd only have such a test if you considered a high risk and would abort if certain trisomies were detected. I say this because of the worry you get with the two week wait you get with such tests (FISH results come back in 24 hours, but you still have to wait for the final results to be given the all clear), during which period you are also at a higher risk of miscarriage. It's a really difficult time, and if it's not necessary, best avoided.

If you would keep the baby anyway, then the best thing to do is avoid such invasive testing as most babies with chromosonal problems do show other signs on ultrasounds later on, so you'd most likely know before the birth so you could prepare, although some show no signs at all and are only detected at birth.

The actual experience of the amnio was quite an easy one for me. No pain, no discomfort, nothing. It was the wait for the results that was the killer.

[AnyDream]

I agree with the others, perhaps you could have the nuchal translucency scan to test whether further testing might be warranted? These are big decisions and you need to have thought through the what-ifs if either a CVS or an amnio revealed there was a genetic abnormality.

I returned a 1:41 risk (at age 35) so proceeded to have a CVS. To me it was important to get that test done quickly as my DH was leaving to work o/seas for several months and it was important to get the results before he left. We had already decided that Downs would not be a reason to terminate the pregnancy, but wanted to know if there was a more severe abnormality that may result in the baby dying later in preg or at birth in order to prepare ourselves. If you choose to terminate the pregnancy due to severe abnormality, I understand the termination is more easily done earlier in pregnancy, so the CVS is better in that way. Also it wasn't clear from what I read that there actually was a higher risk of spontaneous abortion with CVS as the results might include miscarriages that would have happened anyway, which is less statistically likely later with the amnio.

I would recommend if you're thinking of any of this to get in touch with a genetic counsellor as they are in the best position to explain what it all means and what decisions you might need to make. Good luck!

[AnnaBelle]

Thank you ladies for your replies
I am 37 years old and nearly 11 weeks pregnant - booked in for a NT scan when i am 12 weeks & 5 days. I will be 2 months off my 38th birthday when I am due.
My previous preg (first preg) was non viable (missed mc found at 9 1/2 weeks)
and we found out it was due to trisomy 15.
I am just really trying to find out as much information possible on cvs and amnios
ahead of time. I know for sure we would not go ahead with the pregnancy if there was a problem found if these tests were done.
I know the NT scans & blood tests give you some idea of risk but it is only a screening
test . I like the idea of a more dianostic test for peace of mind - but of course am
worried of the m/c risk to a healthy bub.
So I appreciate any words of advice at this time.

[*Ang*]

My N/T ultrasound returned a 1:9 chance of D/S and my N/T measurement was over 8 mm so we were told that essentially there was something the matter with this child. It was discussed that it was better to find out earlier in the pregnancy rather then later in the event that we chose to terminate, hence the reasoning behind us choosing to have a CVS test done rather then wait for the amnio.

I am only 31 and we had no other risk factors yet our test results came back positive for Turners Syndrome, and a severe case at that. We were told the baby would not survive the full pregnancy. The CVS test itself wasnt painful but it was uncomfortable. I then rested for the next couple of days. We lost our daughter around 3 weeks later - whether or not it was due to the CVS it is hard to say but she wouldnt have survived anyway.

If you come back with a high risk factor at your NT ultrasound, then you may want to prefer knowing sooner rather then later - that was our reasoning. Good luck with your tests.

[AnnaBelle]

Thank you everyone for responding

Our NT Scan was good - we got 1: 1600 or so for Downs
1: 7000 or so for Trisomy 13 & 18

NT Measured 1.5 mm & blood test was good.

I am now 15 weeks and really feel 50/50 on whether to have further testing -
of course amnio is our only option at this stage.
I guess the decision is ours but anyone who has had an amnio out there -
your comments are very welcome.
Thanks

[Mumof2Girls]

I had an amnio this pregnancy, as we had a high risk NT result (1:137). The amnio wasn't too bad, I had a bit of cramping after it, had a day of bedrest (Have a 3yo) and our results came back all clear.

I have to say though, that if we didn't have high risk results, I wouldn't have gone through with the amnio. Not so much because of the physical side (needle in tummy) but the emotional impact of having a big needle go in near bubs. Also as your risk results came back as a lot lower than the risk of losing a baby due to the amnio, it would make me think twice.

[SallyJ]

AnnaBelle, honestly the scan is fairly reliable and if I were you I wouldn't have the amnio - the risk of m/c is greater than the risk of there being something wrong.

Of course in the end it is a decision you have to make and feel comfortable with. Remember you will get more info about the baby at your 18/19 week scan.

Glad your NT results were so good!