Tracey sweets, it is kind of like an amnio, but instead of taking the sample from the amniotic fluid, they take the sample from the emerging placenta. This enables them to do the sample earlier.

CVS stands for chorionic villus sampling. The test can be done as early as 11 weeks. (Which is why I opted for this in comparison to another amnio, as the amnio results are found at around 20 weeks, by which time I knew I would be too 'attached' and would've most likely felt my baby kick etc, removing any real options for me, if you get my drift?)

The reason I had one was that this pregnancy was totally unplanned, and I had age not on my side, plus I had not been taking any folate or anything, so I was a real nervous nelly. And whilst I got my head around 3 under 3, we also wanted to know as early as possible so that I could stop freaking! (We have a history of Downs on my Mums side of the family).

The actual procedure is very similar: they insert a fine needle in through your belly (or sometimes through the vagina) and guide the needle whilst looking at the baby via ultrasound, to collect the sample. Risk of MC is slightly higher.

The sample is then sent away for testing, with a 10 day wait for results.

I found the whole thing excrutiating (but not painful) and nerve wracking, but we got an all clear result, which is when I finally announced my pregnancy.

Any other q's, let me know?