Sickle cell cvs screening

[CharTT33]

Hey guys,

I need helppp… So I’ve just found out that both my partner and I are sickle cell carriers.. After a history of MCs never getting to the point where I had my bloods taken at a midwife appointment… Finally get to 9 weeks 5 days and boooooom we are birth sickle cell carriers! Now I’ve been bombarded with all this information regarding CVS testing.

I suppose I’m looking for more personalised, detailed information and some reassurance in the CVS testing procedure and results, like how soon do we get the results etc ?

Ive been a nervous wreck to just to get to the 9 week mark and now this… I’ve had to take time away from work (primary school teacher) to get my head around everything.

So sorry that you haven't had any responses to this @CharTT33. Hopefully someone will be along soon who has some experience

@PinkMimosa Thanks for replying… just feel so alone with it all xx

Would you terminate if child had SC? as if not don’t risk an invasive procedure that carries a risk of MC. Or pay for the private non invasive blood test.

@LittleMrsPretty havent decided. The invasive procedure is the only way to find out a blood test will not determine whether or my child has SC or not.

Hi OP, I have had 3 CVS's for 3 pregnancies, to test for a genetic condition.

The CVS itself is a bit daunting, however not as bad in reality. There are 2 people working, a midwife and a consultant. You first get scanned to see where the placenta is as it needs to be accessible from the front of your belly. (One time it was round the back for me so I had to come back a week later when thankfully it had moved and was accessible). Then they will numb your tummy with a gel, and give you local anaesthetic. Then, they will get started. They will continuously monitor baby and watch what they are doing using an ultrasound wand. They will insert the needle, and then take the sample. The midwife will check the sample that is coming out to make sure that it looks good enough and there is enough of it. Once they are happy with what they've got, they will remove the needle, and continue to scan baby for a minute or so to make sure they are ok.

All in all, its not painful - just a really really weird and uncomfortable sensation. However once the anaesthetic wears off, it feels like a bit bruise and will be sore to touch.

I would advise just closing your eyes through the whole procedure and not looking at the needle - ignorance was bliss from that perspective! I also held my partners hand through the whole thing and squeezed hard when it got uncomfortable.

Timing of results can depend on what they are testing for. Some conditions can be tested in a matter of days, some can take weeks - so you'll need to ask that question yourself. It might be good to understand if they need a large sample for your test - my condition needed a very large sample size, and they ended up having to culture the cells for our test twice as they didn't have a big enough sample - which added 2 weeks on to the testing time. However I do think we were unlucky in that dept so hopefully that won't be the case for you.

Hope that helps, and good luck. Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to know.

Cindy 1802 thankyou so much for your response! That has made things much clearer now. I really appreciate you responding.

If I think of anything else I will
most definitely ask if that is okay with you?

xxxxxxx

@Cindy1802

@CharTT33 no probs

Just wishing you luck @CharTT33