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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Chorionic Villus Sampling

14 replies

abbey1515 · 27/10/2005 22:28

Has anybody had CVS? I have a severe medical condition , Epidermlysis Bullosa, and am having CVS in November. Could anybody tell me what the procedure is like, as have not had much advice.

OP posts:

allhallows · 27/10/2005 22:30

sorry abbey. can't help you but i have heard of it. have you tried googling?

Original poster

abbey1515 · 27/10/2005 22:33

Yes, but it doesn't tell me much, really- just the practical elements. I suppose I just wanted to now what it felt like- I'm dreading it, but that's more because of the reasons behind it, I suppose, than for the process itself.

OP posts:

Original poster

abbey1515 · 27/10/2005 22:33

OP posts:

scaryclary · 27/10/2005 22:35

Thomcat (currently Thombat) had it for this PG, she posted about it but don't recall much detail about the procedure itself. Maybe she will see this and respond to you in more detail.

juelgaz · 28/10/2005 16:06

Hi abbey1515
I have had a cvs and i found that there was not really that much to worry about. It was over with very quickly and not painful just a type of pressure, mine was done vaginally, but I am sure that the doctor did say that in some cases it would be done by needle through the tummy. I just closed my eyes and let them get on with it, they are guided by the ultra sound scan to ensure that baby keeps well out of the way. Hope this helps a little, juegaz x

Original poster

abbey1515 · 28/10/2005 17:43

Hi, it does thanks. I've been getting really worked up about the whole thing- I fainted today whilst waiting to see the midwife, which was really embarrassing as waiting room packed.
I feel like I've been waiting for ages for the test- I wish I could speed it up!

OP posts:

aloha · 28/10/2005 17:44

Several Mumsnetters have had this - I'm sure someone will answer soon.

crumpet · 28/10/2005 17:48

Mine was a needle though the tummy - it was unnerving at the time and I had my eyes tightly closed, but DH said you could see the needle entering on the ultrasound screen.

No pain, just a little odd. I had mine done at the Harris centre at Kings who were great.

Freckle · 28/10/2005 19:34

I had one with DS2. Was also done at the Harris Birthright Trust at Kings in London. I think it probably helped that the dr. carrying out the procedure was drop-dead gorgeous and I was told to hang on to his arm (not the one inserting the needle, lol). Anaesthetic removed any pain so I wasn't even aware of the needle going in (through tummy), although could watch procedure on computer screen. I was too bound up in gazing at lucious doctor to look at screen, but I believe dh watched until he became too queasy (think wimp when watching Casualty).

No real pain or after-effects, but chose to sit with legs up on a sofa for at least 3 days afterwards just to ensure nothing happened. They say it's not necessary, but, hey, any excuse!

Original poster

abbey1515 · 28/10/2005 19:56

That sounds like a good idea- I think a couple of days off would be lovely!
Dh is also v. squeamish- he nearly fainted when I had blood taken last week, so will prob end up in A+E with him afterwards! Think doctor is female, so no luck there.

OP posts:

milward · 28/10/2005 20:10

I've had a cvs. The trough the tummy route was quick -not painful but not comfortable at the end. Having an amnio was worse though. Room was dark, ultrasound at the same time. My toddler was clipped in her pushchair. I think there were two needles & into one a sampler needle went to collect the placenta piece for the test. To collect the piece she seemed to move the needle up & down. I didn't look & didn't like this part. Afterwards had to rest for 30 mins before going but couldn't as my toddler was running around everywhere. Ended up walking her to sleep in the pushchair whilst feeling I'd been punched in my stomach. My dh came to the hospital as we both had to give a blood test for the chromosome tests.b We didn't know this in advance. Was ok to drive after but would have preferred a day to rest as my front felt bad.
My cvs showed confined placental mosiacism so had to have an amnio to check for probs.
good luck xxx

inglis · 05/11/2005 20:31

I've had this - about 9 months ago. The needle through the tummy one. I can't remember much about the procedure which suggests that it was all over very quickly and not painful. Do remember being quiet for about half an hour afterwards. Funnily enough recall in much greater detail that we all walked to a cafe later that day and I had a steak sandwich!

Try not to worry too much about it.

cori · 05/11/2005 21:15

What is the difference between this and an amnio? Are the risks less?

bundle · 05/11/2005 21:18

an amnio is where cells are taken from the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby, and is normally performed just into the 2nd trimester. cells from the baby are then grown in the lab eg to count chromosomes in case of trisomies (DS babies have 3 chromosome 21's instead of just 2). CVS is where tissue is taken from the placenta, it can be done earlier and results are much quicker. the risks of miscarriage with cvs are slightly higher than with amnio.

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