Decided on a CVS and am v scared & anxious - can anyone share their experience?

[newbie6]

Hello,

I am new on here. I had my NT last week where I was scanned and bloods were taken. Measurement was 2.9 and after bloods have been given a 1 in 7 chance. Spoke to MW today and they are in the process of booking me in for a CVS. I am praying I can be seen this week as I feel so sick and anxious at the thought of the procedure and the wait for the results. I am 36 and feel like a total baby, I don't know how I am going to get through these next few days with this worry hanging over me. I just wish I knew when my appt was, hopefully the MW will call me today to let me know. Sorry to ramble on but I was hoping someone may have been through this and can maybe share their experience with me.

x

Hi, so sorry to hear about this. They should get back to you pretty quick, I would chase the MW though if it's just your normal MW (rather than a fetal medicine MW which you will probably be allocated to, too) as they tend to be rather busy!

I had a 1:15 result age 35 in 2010, from 2.6mm measurement and poor bloods (high bHCG and low papp-a). I was telephoned with the result on the Thursday afternoon at 3.45pm and was meeting the consultant at 9am the following morning with CVS at 10.30am. The NHS can move fast when it needs to!

Happily, all was fine, no down syndrome or other chromosome disorder, and I have a lovely little boy. I hope they get back to you soon, and that you get through the wait ok. That was the worst bit for me - the CVS was 'ok' (more the fear of the unknown), but the wait nearly killed me.

I'm sorry you are going through this 6, it is a worrying time.

I had a 1 in 3 result at the end of 2010. The original 12 week scan was on a Monday and the CVS was performed on a Wednesday, the results came in on the Monday morning.

The waiting was by far the hardest part, the actual CVS was not too uncomfortable, over very quickly and the staff performing the procedure were amazing.

I our case our DS did have downs syndrome, in my experience I can honestly ay that getting this result was in a way a relief, the not knowing was somehow harder. We chose to continue with the pregnancy (something which I previously wasn't sure I would do) but sadly he died later in the pregnancy.

Good luck with it all.

Just to clarify, the death was in no way linked to the CVS.

I am very sorry you are going through this newbie6.

I had a CVS done about 5 weeks ago due to high NT (3.8mm). I had NT scan on wednesday, referred to fetal medicine unit on Friday and we decided to go ahead with the CVS the same day, before even receiving the blood test results.

The procedure itself was not very painful as they numb the area. You can feel the consultant doing something but it is bearable. I didn't look at the screen so chose to hold my husband's hand and close my eyes. I really really suggest you go to the procedure with your OH or a family as I wouldn't be able to go through it without support.

I took it very easy that Friday and Saturday. No pain, no bleeding. I went back to work on Tuesday but started bleeding heavily so went directly to A&E. The scan showed that the pregnancy was continuing despite the heavy bleeding. We don't know if the bleeding was caused by CVS or the fetal abnormality but the reason I am mentioning this is don't be afraid if you have bleeding after the CVS as in our case it didn't cause a mc. But of course go to A&E immediately if you experience this (very unlikely!)

Unfortunately by Tuesday afternoon we received a call from FMU confirming the down syndrome.

I hope you get a call from the MW soon and really hope it all turns out fine

Just to manage expectations they don't always numb the area for a CVS, I was expecting the needle insertion point to be numbed and was suprised when it wasn't, it really didn't hurt though.

Thanks all. I have been told to go in on Monday first thing so all going well, should get results Tues late pm or no later than Wed lunchtime. Anxious wait till Mon and then just a few more days. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences, I really do appreciate it. X

Hi newbie just to share my experience as well. I had high risk following NT and bloods, and had a CVS the following day (a Friday) at St George's.

The CVS hurt a little bit (about as much as someone pinching you) when the needle went in as they didn't numb the area in my hospital. The needle is quite large. Then the doctor plunged the needle in and out a bit (gently) to get the placental sample, this didn't hurt but I could feel the sensation. Then he took the needle out which I didn't feel at all.

The doctor did an ultrasound scan at the same time as doing the CVS, so he could check he was aiming in the right place. He also checked the foetus's heartbeat before and after the CVS. Some women prefer not to look at the foetus during the CVS but I did - I could see the needle going into the placenta and the bean jumping around in a very lively way.

I also had to have an anti D jab following the CVS as I am rhesus negative.

I had a little brown bleeding after the CVS (but I have had small bleeds throughout the pregnancy anyway).

I got my initial results the following Tuesday lunchtime, all clear for Downs Edwards and Patau. I then got the full chromosomal karyotype about 10 days later and was also all clear - and we got to find out the sex from that too which was a nice bonus.

I hope this helps and I wish you the very very best of luck next week.

PS I forgot to say - I found it helpful to have a hand to hold during the procedure, my mum came with me as DH was at work.

x

Thanks to you all, I really do appreciate hearing your experiences. Wish I was going in sooner than Monday but am hoping the extra wait will be worth it. Am feeling so sick and have developed awful heartburn - not sure if that is down to the pregnancy or the worry or both! xx

Hi

Just wanted to let you all know that I had the CVS yesterday, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and so far no sign of bleeding. Will get the results today or tomorrow so keeping everything crossed.

x

Good luck for the results Newbie6 x

Best of luck newbie

Hi

Got my call and everything is clear :) Thanks again for all your support xx

Oh hooray! Phew, excellent news.

That is fantastic news Newbie - i am really, really pleased for you x

So, so pleased for you. I remember that feeling well!!!! DD is now a (very) bouncy 4 year old about to start school. Congratulations, and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy xx

Yay, great news Newbie! I too remember that feeling well. Enjoy!

thanks everyone. am 2 days past having the CVS and no bleeding etc so praying I will not miscarry - do any of you know how long the danger period lasts for? x

Newbie I think the main danger period is the first 2-3 days so you are almost through that. Some sites say a week or 2 weeks but I gather that the vast majority of CVS related mcs will happen within the first 1-3 days after the CVS. If there has been no bleeding or cramping and no real pain during the procedure that is all in your favour.

thanks so much minipie x

I believe the first 2 days are the 'riskiest' and the risk has gone after 2 weeks. I arranged for my midwife to look for a heartbeat about a week after my CVS for reassurance - she wasn't happy about it though as she said it was very early to find it, but find it she did! Something to consider...?

Ah mummy I did the same thing! I happened to be seeing a doctor anyway about 10 days after the CVS and I asked if she could listen, she agreed but with the caveat that she might not find it - she found it immediately though it then disappeared but that was such a relief. Good suggestion.

Having said that, I have not heard of a CVS ever causing a missed miscarriage (and I did a lot of googling as I was worried about this before hearing the heartbeat) - only "obvious" miscarriages iyswim, with cramps and bleeding.