Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Unflip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Unflip

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.

1 2

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

Please talk to me about CVS

33 replies

itisntreallyme · 04/01/2011 17:35

I think I've decided to have CVS next week after finding out I have a 1 in 55 chance of Downs. Please can you tell me your experiences and what to expect? I'm terrified. My hospital has reassured me their miscarriage rates are 1 in 150 so I feel confident I'm in good hands but still scared. Thanks

OP posts:

Report

Sparklies · 13/01/2011 20:55

Yay!! What a relief for you itisntreallyme - now you can fully enjoy your pregnancy!!

Report

Millymolliemandy · 13/01/2011 15:15

Yep I couldn't properly believe it until I actually saw the confirmation letter. I got the full all clear from the CVS today after the preliminary results what seems like ages ago. Going to try to stop stressing now! Helps that I now have a noticable bump!

Report

itisntreallyme · 13/01/2011 15:09

Thank you again. I just want the confirmation letter now so I can see it in black and white!

OP posts:

Report

CointreauVersial · 12/01/2011 13:06

MORE good news! Oh, that makes it all worth while doesn't it?

I'm so pleased for you both.

Report

StormBird · 12/01/2011 12:33

Brilliant News itisntreallyme - Now Breathe. xxxxxx

Report

spaceal · 12/01/2011 11:50

Excellent news, itisntreallyme - you must be so relieved. As others have said to others, relax and enjoy the rest of the pregnancy.

Report

itisntreallyme · 12/01/2011 11:39

I just got all the clear!

I wasn't even expecting to hear until the end of the week and then the midwife sounded so hesitant on the phone I was sure it was going to be bad news but no. I am so relieved. I can't quite believe it.

Thank you all for your support.

OP posts:

Report

StormBird · 11/01/2011 14:57

Oh I see, thanks for filling me in itisntreallyme - I hope its good news for you hun I really do. FX

I'm definately going to try and enjoy the rest f my PG but I don't really think I'll relax properly until he/she is here. Thanks Sparklies & CointreauVersial

xxx

Report

CointreauVersial · 10/01/2011 23:02

Oh StormBird, what a relief! I remember the day we got our all clear - we were on holiday by then and had to phone from a motel room in Arizona. I seem to remember there were tears.... Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy, hope all goes well.

Itisntreallyme - fingers firmly crossed for you. Hope you get your (good) news very soon.

Report

itisntreallyme · 10/01/2011 22:26

Thanks Sparklies. DH is 6'! I'm not though and DD was (and still is!) a bit of a shortie. Trying to keep things in perspective until we know one way or the other but it's hard. Hope it all works out for you.

OP posts:

Report

Sparklies · 10/01/2011 22:06

Yay StormBird - I am so relieved for you! What a great result!

itisntreallyme - both my DDs had much shorter than average femurs and they're fine - everything else measured well ahead at every scan. Ironically this baby, which is 1 in 34 (we're waiting it out) does not! Do you or DH have short legs at all? I always need to wear short trousers so I wasn't that surprised at my DDs! Hope your results come through quickly and are good.

Report

itisntreallyme · 10/01/2011 21:36

Short femurs are a soft marker/indicator of DS. All the measurements were on the low side of average but the femur measurements were very low. I'm hoping it's nothing and the consultant didn't give me cause for more concern but I am worried. I guess we'll know soon enough...

OP posts:

Report

StormBird · 10/01/2011 21:20

Thanks itistreallyme

Glad today went 'well' for you hun. Fingers crossed for a good result. Whats the deal with the femur measurements? No-one mentioned anything like that to me?

xx

Report

itisntreallyme · 10/01/2011 14:41

Congratulations StormBird! I'm so pleased you got your happy ending.

Today was ok. Very briefly painful but it was the rummaging sensation I hated. But over quite quickly if not as quickly as I had expected. Feeling ok now. A bit concerned that the femur measurements were on the (very) low side but hoping for the best...

OP posts:

Report

StormBird · 10/01/2011 13:29

Jaabaar I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that. Its lovely to see that you had a happy ending through all of the trauma.

GOOD LUCK for today itisntreallyme - keep us posted on how you are getting on.

I took a phone call at 12pm today from my Midwife and its good news, we have been given the all clear. I can't quite believe it, i'd convinced myself of bad news. I haven't stopped crying since.

I hope that you have the same outcome itisntreallyme - I am rooting for you. xxxx

Report

itisntreallyme · 09/01/2011 20:57

Thanks everyone again. jaabaar I can't imagine how you went through that first experience. My husband has only just returned from being overseas in time for my CVS tomorrow and that has been hard enough to cope with. I'm dreading tomorrow but just so glad I don't have to go through it alone like you did. So glad it worked out for you second time.

OP posts:

Report

jaabaar · 09/01/2011 20:38

Just wanted to add my experiences:

1st pregnancy:
Had 1:17 for downs and other. Had CVS done straight after results came back. Was all alone, husband abroad, terrified is the word I use for lack of any other.
Results came back positive. Again was alone, husband abroad. Had termination. Total heartbreak.
The CVS was not that painful, however the torment of what the outcome would be is much worse. It was literally over in 3 minutes.

2nd pregnancy:
Had 1:11 for downs and other. Absolutely destraught. Was sure all was going to be the same. Although risk was higher all came back well. The greatest gift I have ever had is to receive those results.
Again, the CVS was not that painful, just the mental torture...

Just wanted to wish luck and sending out tight hug to all expecting mothers who have to go through those tests. I really really feel for every single one.

Report

CointreauVersial · 06/01/2011 23:52

I had a CVS after a 1:80 risk diagnosis. No problems, all clear; he is now 11!

It was quite scary - I mean, there's no easy way to say it, but they stick a big needle in your tummy. I was in very safe hands, luckily was refered to one of the top consultants in the UK, and he was lovely. It didn't particularly hurt, it was just frightening. DH held my hand and we got through it.

You don't have to go ahead, but if you are like me, you'd rather know the answers than wait for the birth.

Good luck, fingers crossed you'll be fine and it will soon be a distant memory.

Report

snowpuma · 06/01/2011 23:41

Just adding my story, I had a 1:82 risk so had a CVS through the tummy at 14wks, I was very proud of myself as the needle was massive but I didn't faint or anything; like everyone says it's uncomfortable but that's all. If you think about it, it has to be pretty long to get all the way through, it's just that I hadn't given it any thought beforehand (being stressed and scared). I just felt like laying on the sofa that evening but after that pretty much back to normal, though had in the back of my mind that for a few days I had to watch for signs of something amiss. As I remember the stomach just felt a bit bruised for a few days.... got the all clear and DD is now 18mths :)
Oh and the results came through quicker than they said they would, which I was grateful for. I think it was done on Thursday evening and they rang on Monday evening with the result.

Report

NatzCNL · 06/01/2011 23:34

Thanks for the kind words ladies. I hope the tummy ache doesn't last too long StormBird, I remember the tenderness lasting a few days.

Just to reassure you that if you do bleed it does not mean for certain that anything is wrong. I bled a couple of hours after the CVS for about 6 hours, and very heavily with loss of amniotic fluid. I went to A&E to be checked but due to the bank holiday, had to wait 2 days for a scan.
The scan showed that our baby was still very much well and kicking. They said it was unusual to bleed that much and that spotting is quite common. I had, however, also had quite a vigourous scan and internal scan right before the CVS to look at other things and think that along with the CVS had disrupted the cervix and caused the fluid and blood loss.

If you do have a bleed, it is always best to go straight to A&E. Unfortunately there is little they can do if the worst is happening, but I felt a huge sense of reassurance being around the doctors.
Rest up and dont do anything strenuous for a few days. xx

Im sorry, Im not trying to scare or upset anyone, I just wanted to let you know that things can happen but to try and stay calm. I was convinced the worse was happening and was so relieved when we saw her wriggling around 2 days later. The testing stages are so terrifying and emotionally draining, and my heart goes out to all of you having to go through this stressful time.

itisntreallyme I will be thinking of you next week and am keeping my fingers crossed for you both to get the all clear!

Report

itisntreallyme · 06/01/2011 17:29

Thanks again. Fingers crossed for the all clear StormBird and until then rest up and take care.

OP posts:

Report

Goldfrankincenseandmyrrhberry · 06/01/2011 13:18

I had CVS after a test showed a high risk of Downs. I was petrified as I am not good with needles at the best of times! It was actually fine. It was more uncomfortable than painful and it was over very quickly. I felt absolutely fine afterwards and had no problems. Good luck!

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Email address

You've subscribed!

StormBird · 06/01/2011 13:15

Hello....me again,

Just got home from the Hospital. Itisntreallyme - I shall not sugar coat it hun, it is definately something that has been put on the list of things I'd rather not have to go through again, it was slightly painful but more uncomfortable than anything. The instruments they use look like something from the dark ages too so don't be alarmend (like I was) by the sight of these.

The plus point was that it was over in 10 minutes and the consultant was v. happy with how the procedure went and said that he got a good sample of the placenta. The midwife showed me the sample a little later on and I was quite surprised that it was like a little transparent frond - not what I expected.

Anyway, they kept us hanging around for a little while after to make sure I was OK and I also had to have an anti-D injection as I am Rhesus Negative.

I'm home now and feel relatively OK. Sligtly achy tummy from all prodding and poking from both today and yesterday. I'm trying to just rest now as I am very aware of how crucial the next 72hrs is meant to be.

The results should be available by Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. I'm trying not to think about it - just so glad today is over!

So sorry to hear your story Natz - I hope everything works out for you xx

XXX

Report

itisntreallyme · 06/01/2011 10:14

Thank you for sharing your sad story Natz. It must be so hard for you but I do appreciate hearing less positive stories as it's a bit too easy to listen to all the positive stories and not prepare for any other result.

I'm so sorry things didn't work out for you but hope that in time you have a healthy pregnancy if you decide to try again.

OP posts:

Report

NatzCNL · 05/01/2011 22:11

I had a CVS in August through the tummy, and it was very uncomfortable but I think I had a trainee. I was very upset on the day after having recieved bad news regarding our baby (not related to the CVS) and just wanted to get out, then promptly fainted at the lifts.
I was told before I left that I may feel a bit light headed. I didn't want to be there any longer than I had to be, and felt quite foolish as I hadn't felt right from the moment they did the CVS, but just wanted to get out.

Dont rush to get out if you dont feel right. Some women are fine afterwards, but you may feel quite unusual. If you do, try lying down before you go or sit with your head between your legs for a bit.
I hope it all goes well for you and for Stormbird.

We had our results within 24 hours, we went to Kings College in Dulwich. Unfortunately we didn't have good news and ended up terminating due to a multitude of abnormalities.