CVS info please

[ProbablyMe]

I had my 12 week scan on New Years Eve with an NT measurement of 3.9mm. My midwife rang me today to say my bloods plus age (40) put my risk of a problem at 1:5. I have an appointment with Prenatal Diagnosis tomorrow and they've said I can have CVS on Thursday (13wks3days).

I had amniocentesis with my DS4 now 11 at 22 weeks. Itwasclear but he does have a Syndrome that it can't detect. I don't know what to expect from the CVS test though. How long does it take? Does it hurt? Etc.

I would've grateful for any information.

[offbeatgirl]

I had a CVS test last year (transabdominal). As I'm rather a coward when it comes to needles, I requested local anaesthetic to dull the area before the procedure, which helped me. I'd say it was an uncomfortable/unpleasant sensation rather than painful. I think it was over in about 10-15 minutes, and I then got my husband to drive me home and spent the rest of the day on the sofa with tea and biscuits (not strictly essential, but again, it helped me!) No personal experience of amniocentesis, so I can't say how the two compared.

Good luck, and I hope the test comes back clear for you. The initial results for Downs/ Edwards/Patau come back very quickly, but it can be a nail biting wait for the full set of results.

[Chookford]

probably we had a similar experience at our 12wk scan NT measured 3.5mm combined with my age (32) gave me a risk factor of 1:89 we had the Harmony Test performed the next day, we waited a week for the results so whilst I don't have experience of a CVS I do understand what your going through right now, and I wanted to wish you all the best, I am sure everything will be fine although it may not seem it now. My results showed baby had no chromosomal abnormality's as far as they can see and I am now almost 21wks with a scan booked in next week to check the heart (this is standard if you have a raised NT, as it can be an indicator of heart issues) and anomaly scan week after, hope your results come through quickly and you have good news too x

[MissRainbowBrite]

I had a CVS with DD after a NT of 3.6mm, so only .1mm above the cut off.
The procedure was uncomfortable but not painful, the actual needle bit was over quickly. Afterwards I had to sit up slowly and wait around for 10 minutes after to make sure I felt ok then just took it very easy for the next couple of days. I felt a bit sore but other than that ok. Initial results came back within a week then a few more days for the full set, luckily all was clear and DD will be 3 next month.

[SaggyAndLucy]

I had a CVS. It was a doddle. A touch of local anaesthetic and you're away. There was a slight tug when the needle pierced the amniotic sac but that was it.
I too had odds of 1 in 5 initially, the pre cvs scan put this up to 1 in 3. DD has DS. She rocks.

[ProbablyMe]

Thank you for the replies. Saggyandlucy - congratulations regarding your lovely daughter, We're not concerned that our child may have DS at all - we just want a kicking, screaming baby! My DS4 has a rare syndrome (in hospital now actually) and the thought of having another child with a condition of some sort isn't an issue for us. We just want to rule out the other fatal before birth conditions.

[ProbablyMe]

After all the worrying about the test, the Consultant couldn't actually do it as I have a posterior placenta and a retroverted uterus that still hasn't "popped" forwards and that made it too risky. Instead I am now booked for an Amnio in 2 weeks time.

[CrispyFB]

If you have the money, and the 1 in 5 is for Down Syndrome, you could get a Harmony (or NIFTY, or Panorama) test done asap privately and have the results before you even get the amnio. It's over 99% reliable for false negatives.

I had a 1 in 5 for DC4 and had Harmony at the Fetal Medicine Centre in London. The result came back negative and the research doctor doing the scan/test said I could be confident in that result and did not recommend an amnio. DC4 does not have Down Syndrome.

If it's for T13/T18 then Harmony etc is not quite as reliable.

[CrispyFB]

PS - I meant to say in case you didn't realise, Harmony and similar tests are non-invasive and are simple maternal blood tests, so zero risk to the baby. It's why they're such a great step forward.