Please talk to me about CVS

[itisntreallyme]

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

I had an amnio not CVS. It really is down to the consultant involved in terms of risk. When I had mine, my consultant had never done one that had resulted in a miscarriage.

It was pretty scary but you get to talk to a midwife who is trained in counselling first.

We also paid for private express results (which costs about £100) - but got us the result (which showed all was well) within 24 hours.

Good luck :)

I had a CVS done vaginally as my placenta was too low to reach through the stomach wall. Not pleasant but not too painful. Had mine done because I am the carrier of some kind of genetic abnormality. Test came back clear and my DD is now nearly 2 years old. TTC again now and am not sure what I will do next time.

Thanks both. I didn't realise you could pay for express results. I might ask my hospital if that is an option as I don't know how I will cope with the waiting...

Hi I had a CVS just before Christmas and I'd like to reassure you that it was ok. Obviously I was as nervous as hell beforehand (not helped by a needle phobia!) but it was done through my tummy and although uncomfortable was not horrible and was over very quickly - I will warn you that I did feel tender and sore for at least a week afterwards, I took the oportnutity to rest for the following 2 days which I think was definitely the right thing to do. I had a huge delay with te results, and ended up waiting over 10 days, hellish, what with Christmas etc. Really hope it all goes ok for you.

I had a CVS through my tummy at 13+6. The procedure itself was ok, not too painful. I did feel a bit tender for a few days afterwards and made a conscious effort to take it very easy for a week.

My hospital provide fast results automatically for all those whose risk is greater than 1:50, otherwise I believe you can pay for it. However, it's a postcode lottery so it's worth checking what your hospital offer and what you can opt for (I would definitely recommend getting the initial results fast). The full results took a little over 2 weeks more.

As for miscarriage rates, you would need to ask your hospital what their % is. However, when I was doing some research prior to my CVS I didn't come across anyone who had miscarried after a CVS who had a healthy baby on board.

My chance of Downs was 1:15 and I got the all clear.

Claire x

Its so nice to read these stories....

I found out today that I have a 1:43 chance of Downs. I have opted for a CVS and am having it done tomorrow morning.

Its such a blow to find this out as we had a termination back in May cos our baby was suffering from Annencephaly. We had hoped for some luck this time!

Anyway the Midwife said we would have our results before a week is up so fingers crossed.

I'm so scared.

Good luck itisntreallyme and thanks to those who've shared your stories. Its really helped.

xx

Blimey StormBird it sounds like you've been through enough already without this too. Good luck for tomorrow and I truly hope you get the all clear.

I wish I could have my CVS sooner (I'm booked in for Monday) - technically I can but my DH is away and I can't face going through it without him. I can't imagine how you coped with that 10 day wait either Millymolliemandy it must have been so hard.

And I'd like to echo StormBird's sentiments - it's so nice and so helpful to hear these stories so thanks again.

Thanks so much itisntreallyme, I totally agree that it is so helpful to hear stories; the good and the bad and the ugly. Our results came back fine for 'the big three' and I just cannot describe the relief. I will be thinking of you tomorrow Stormbird and keeping everything crossed that it all works out fine. By the way Stormbird, our hospital said the usual time for results is 72 hours (obviously snow and Christmas wasn't factored in to this!). It is that one day you know tyou are expecting the results that is the hardest, I found it almost impossible not to sit staring at the phone and do very little else. But you do get through it, somehow.

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.

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.

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

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!

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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...

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

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...

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.

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.

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.