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Original poster

Amnio or CVS – differences?

4 replies

missmarie85 · 25/10/2021 13:13

We are beyond heartbroken to have received our NIPT results today and found out that our baby is highly likely to have Down’s syndrome. We have been offered a ‘confirmation test’ of CVS or amniocentesis, but I’m struggling to understand the difference - can anyone explain it to me? I know CVS can be done at 11-14 weeks and amnio after 15 weeks, but are there any factors I should consider beyond that? I’m 13+3 and don’t know whether I should get CVS now or wait for amnio - the doctor was pretty vague when I asked if one would be better for me than the other (and I was a bit too emotional to take anything in anyway), so any guidance would be much appreciated.

OP posts:
rosed1008 · 25/10/2021 14:33

Hello. I am so sorry that you're in this position. I have been there (for another reason) and its awful. For me the advantage of getting answers sooner rather than later was the type of termination i could have. The later i left it i would have had to give birth and that thought was too sad for me. But there is no right answer as to what is right for you.

At the time my screening midwife was amazing in explaining the pros and cons of each and the options open to me at the time. Could you give them a call?

tiggerwhocamefortea · 25/10/2021 14:42

I'm sorry you have had bad news

CVS basically takes cells from the placenta whereas amnio takes cells from the fluid surrounding the baby - the amnio is supposed to be more accurate. There is a risk of miscarriage with both but those statistics are very out of date now so the likelihood of miscarrying is actually very very small

What sort of risk factors have you been given? Quite often I've known that people get the CVS done but then wait to have the amnio as well so that they are 100% sure of the results x

Original poster
missmarie85 · 25/10/2021 16:15

@rosed1008

Hello. I am so sorry that you're in this position. I have been there (for another reason) and its awful. For me the advantage of getting answers sooner rather than later was the type of termination i could have. The later i left it i would have had to give birth and that thought was too sad for me. But there is no right answer as to what is right for you.

At the time my screening midwife was amazing in explaining the pros and cons of each and the options open to me at the time. Could you give them a call?

Thank you for your kind words @rosed1008, and I am so very sorry to hear you have been through something similar. My heart goes out to you. You've actually really helped focus my mind, though... I was so busy trying to work out which the 'best' test was that I hadn't stopped to think about the obvious fact that I'll have to wait a couple of weeks longer for the amnio. I don't know if it would affect my options for termination, but I just don't think I'll cope very well mentally with having to stay pregnant and watch/feel my baby grow while I wait for what now is sadly likely to be inevitable. I've just spoken to the screening midwife and asked to be given CVS if possible, so she is processing a referral today. Thanks for taking the time to reply and share your experience – I'm very grateful.
OP posts:
Original poster
missmarie85 · 25/10/2021 16:24

@tiggerwhocamefortea

I'm sorry you have had bad news

CVS basically takes cells from the placenta whereas amnio takes cells from the fluid surrounding the baby - the amnio is supposed to be more accurate. There is a risk of miscarriage with both but those statistics are very out of date now so the likelihood of miscarrying is actually very very small

What sort of risk factors have you been given? Quite often I've known that people get the CVS done but then wait to have the amnio as well so that they are 100% sure of the results x

Thank you so much for your reply @tiggerwhocamefortea — and for your explanation, which is much clearer and simpler than most I've found! My risk from the initial combined screening blood test was put at 1 in 5 – a bit of a shock as NT measurements on my scan had been perfect, but my HCG was high and Papp-A was low (and I'm 35). I then had the NIPT/Harmony test which gives a result only as low risk or high risk. Sadly mine was high risk. As I understand it NIPT is considered very accurate for Down's, so I've been advised to have the CVS/amnio just to officially confirm it, not with any hope of it finding anything different x
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