Hello,
I just wanted to share my recent experience of having a CVS and say I personally am really glad I did it.
I had the combined test for Down's at 12 weeks (blood and nuchal fold) The nuchal fold was at the high end of normal (3mm) but my bloods (PAPP-A was OK but HCG was higher than normal) The result came in as a 1 in 75 chance of my baby having Down's.
i agonised over whether or not to have an amnio or CVS. My chances of having an affected child were 1.5% but the chance of miscarriage through the test was 1% so they were pretty much equal.
My DH was initially against doing anything as he was really thinking about the odds being in our favour and thinking very much of the stats. However I think as a woman I just couldn't get away from he emotional side of things, yes I understood the stats but I couldn't help having the nagging doubt in the back of mind.
I had sleepless night and decided I wanted to know for definite. We went to see the midwife at my local hospital and it really helped. She talked me and DH through all the options and think it particularly helped DH see having the test was the best option for us. I also spoke to ARC who were really good.
Anyway I decided to take the option of going to Kings College Hospital for a CVS as that was one of the options my local hospital offered me. They are a centre of excellence for the south east and are complete experts in this field. Also I would have had to wait until 16 weeks for the amnio and just wanted to get it over with.
I am really glad I took this option. I had a very detailed scan beforehand which took about 45 minutes and they looked at everything, even blood flow through the baby's liver. They look for soft markers of Down's which are things such as heart defects and absence of nasal bone and luckily our baby was found to have none.
I then went for the CVS and had one of the top consultants doing it (I insisted on that as one of the less senior doctor's was going to do it under the consultant's supervision) He completely put my mind at rest and did the procedure very easily and in only about two minutes. There was no real pain at all, just a small amount of discomfort, a similar feeling to having a blood test or something really. I also closed my eyes throughout the whole thing which I think helped as think if I had seen the needle it may have freaked me out. Honestly though, please rest assured from my experience this procedure is fine and honestly nothing to worry about.
Anyway the wait for the results is by far the worst bit. You just agonise over the what if's and stare at your phone all day.
I found out today though that baby has tested negative for Down's, Edwards and Patau so we are thrilled.
I am so glad I had the test. Yes going through the mental anguish of it all has not been easy but it is worth it to be given peace of mind in my opinion. If you are a natural worrier as I am I think it is better to get the test done and just know for sure.
I can now enjoy the rest of my pregnancy and look forwards to meeting my little boy (yes we found that out from the CVS too!) When I was going through everything I didn't feel happy in my pregnancy and was getting upset all the time so from my point of view I am so glad I had the test.
Hope my experience helps.
Please or to access all these features
Please
or
to access all these features
Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.
Antenatal tests
So glad I had CVS
4 replies
Louamassingberd · 28/01/2011 16:54
OP posts:
Please create an account
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.