Has anyone opted for CVS without harmony first?

[user1472662726]

Sorry to post again....but it's so helpful to ask people who've been in this position.

I've read the chapter on ante natal testing in the book expecting better by Emily oster.

As I understand it, the risk of miscarriage from cvs is likely to be around 1 in 600 /800 (so not negligible but low), it can be done from ten weeks and definitive results are available in about three days.

This seems potentially better than harmony, which is without risk, but takes two weeks for a result and may come back as high risk, in which case many would go onto have cvs.

Has anyone done this and gone straight to cvs?

Thank you.

Cvs and amnio are usually only offered if an issue has been picked up with a scan or the combined testing.

I'm not sure if you can pay for it privately but unless you have a specific reason you are concerned, like genetic or chromosomal issues in your family, a NIPT test like the harmony would be best.

It also depends why you want to know. If you want to know to put together a care plan if there was an issue then harmony is very accurate. If you were thinking you would terminate then you'd probably want a cvs or amnio as they give a definitive answer. The harmony only tests for the three major trisomies, other NIPT can test for some other chromosomal conditions like turners.

It really does depend on what situation you are currently in. If you're just researching because you're pregnant and looking at all scienarios (I usually do this) then try the arc website that explains all the tests brilliantly.

If you have had worrying screening results your screening midwife will be able to give you some guidance and advice. Arc also run a helpline which is wonderfully helpful.

Thanks kitty. Things have moved on do much since I had my DC 7 and 9 nine years ago......not least my age and anxiety levels

There have been some amazing medical leaps made in genetic and dna testing recently.

Anxiety is horrid. Do try arc, they are wonderful

I had harmony and results in 5 days. I think they are back by 2 weeks max.

My harmony test results were actually back in about 4 days - think they just give 2 weeks as a max

I was 38 when I was pregnant and I just had an amnio rather than nuchal screening/bloods. nobody really batted an eyelid, I just said because of my age I was probably going to be high risk, so we'd end up doing the amnio anyway
this was more than 6 years ago and harmony testing not readily available - or at least not in Scotland where I am

Harmony has got quicker as they no longer have to go to the USA, I believe.

I had a CVS without Harmony, back in 2012 before Harmony was widely available, due to a "high risk" NHS scan. I wouldn't take a CVS lightly - the risk stats may be small overall but your individual risk may be different, it depends on various factors such as the skill of the doctor and the position of your placenta - it's a somewhat painful procedure and it's not nice worrying about miscarriage afterwards.

Having said all that - the Harmony only covers the 3 trisomies whereas the CVS can cover far more genetic issues - if you pay for the full CGI array analysis anyway. So if you want as many tests as humanly possible then the CVS is broader.

Harmony results now take less than 5 days as the tests are processed in the uk. It used to take 2 weeks when the blood had to be sent to America

Hi OP,
I am also considering cvs as an option during to my age (43) and also that 2 of my DCs have SN.
I know my risk of Down's due to age alone is 1:30, so this put me in the high risk group. So I'm not sure how things work, do I go for nuchal + bloods and see what my adjusted risk is? Or do I just go straight for CVS? I know that I couldn't cope with another child with SN

In terms of antenatal testing amnio us considered the gold standard.

With CVS there's still a chance of missing something (I'm not sure how exactly but I was told this by my fetal medicine consulant following a bad Harmony result).

For the sake of a few days more I'd go with Harmony over CVS given similar (?) accuracy and less risk with the former.

Also CVS bloody hurt!

And Ariel in your position I'd def go for Harmony over simple nuchal/triple test for starters. It's way more accurate.

I went straight to cvs, I was 42 and that was a big enough risk factor imo. My consultant agreed. Everything was fine.

I think I'm going to discuss this with the screening midwife. It's such a difficult decision to make