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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

dilemma about CVS

10 replies

Mazzyot · 21/09/2006 13:04

I know only I can make this decision but I would just like to hear from anyone else who might have been in a similar situation. I am 39 and having 2nd baby. I had the neuchal scan and they told me I was low risk for Downs for my age (1:564). They then said even though I was low risk I had the option to have further invasive tests (CVS)because of my age (over 35). So whilst I am relieved about the result of the scan I just can't decide about the CVS. It's making me feel very stressed - I'm not very good at the serious type decisions - I'd rather just be told what to do.... Any ideas?? I'm new to mumsnet by the way - looks fab.

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fuzzyfelt · 21/09/2006 13:12

Hi,

Haven't had a CVS but have had an amnio for my last preg. when my risk was 1:200. I think you have to weigh up the risks of having the CVS (1 in 100 chance of miscarrying as a result of the procedure) against how concerned you are (or not) about having a baby with Downs syndrome.

The amnio is a safer procedure (I understand, maybe wrong) than the CVS so maybe wait and have that at 16 weeks? If I were in your position though with your results I would not have further invasive tests. But that's just me. Is entirely up to you.

Wecome to Mumsnet btw! You'll no doubt have more better informed replies. Everyone very helpful here.

Original poster

Mazzyot · 21/09/2006 16:15

Thanks for that - it really does help to hear what others have been through

OP posts:

bundle · 21/09/2006 16:16

i had a 1/30 or so risk of edwards syndrome during my last pg and had an amnio. the risk of miscarriage is about 1/100, but lower with a higly skilled operator. Ithink your figures sound excellent for your age, but only you can decide. what would you do if your baby was found to have ds?

Mum2FunkyDude · 21/09/2006 16:27

Mazzyot;

I'm sorry that you have to go through the uncertainty. All I can suggest is to ask yourself what would you do if the test comes back positive? Will it change your mind about keeping the baby? If not then why take the risk?

WestCountryLass · 21/09/2006 19:02

I had CVS with my first pregnancy but abnormalities had already been found during my 20 week scan.

I was only 23 so age was not an issue. What did you do with your first baby?

Glassofwine · 21/09/2006 19:12

I had cvs with my third child after the nuchal fold scan gave me a chance of downs at 1 in 75 I was particularly shocked by this as there is only an 11 month age gap between him and my daughter. When I'd had the scan with dd the chance was something like 1:2000. I decided to have cvs and ended up going private as the hosp couldn't fit me in for ages and I was fairly stressed. This meant it was done by Prof Nicolaides (sp) so the 1:100 chance of miscarriage was much lower as he really knows what he's doing. I was so stressed by the whole thing that I fainted after having it and the subsequent few days waiting for the results were absolute hell.

In my opinion with the fact you've been given a low risk I wouldn't feel the need to do it and I'm quite surprised its even been offered.

Oh yes and DS didn't have downs and still to this day i don't know what we would have done if he had, but both DH and I felt that if we wished we hadn't done it and just accepted what we were given.

eidsvold · 22/09/2006 03:21

UNfortunately this is not a decision that anyone can tell you what to do - ( as a mum with a 4yo with down syndrome who knew before she was born) I think you need to decide what to do with the information.

That is - if it came back this little one does have down syndrome - would you terminate the pregnancy - if so - then the CVS is for you. If you are someone who absolutely needs to know and be prepared - then again the CVS is for you.

I had my 2nd child at 36 and am now expecting my 3rd at 38. I have what would be classed as a high risk for having another child with down syndrome as I already have a child with down syndrome. Despite medical professional pressure - we have had no invasive testing because we realise that we would not do anything with the information and so I personally feel that it is something that I do not want to put myself through.

But as others have said - if you would act on the information that an amnio/cvs would provide then perhaps it is the best for you.

FWIW - if you look at the numbers - that is classed as a low risk for your age.

TuttiFrutti · 22/09/2006 09:07

I agree with Eidsvoid, this is a totally personal decision which noone else can make for you. It is such a hard one too - I have just been through it myself as I'm having my second baby aged 39 like you.

I discussed it for a long time with dh and we agreed that our cut-off figure was 1:300, and in the end I got a 1:1700 risk rating so didn't go ahead with any invasive testing. If I was in your position, I wouldn't be going for CVS either. But other people might have a very different personal cut-off point.

Anchovy · 22/09/2006 09:17

I had a CVS with my second child - I was also aged 39 (37 with my first). One thing you have to remember with the statistics is that your age is one of the factors in the equation, so all things considered mine was always going to be low, as one element of the equation is already loaded with the risk IYSWIM. Mine came out at 1:110 which was a worse risk even than my age norms, so I agreed to have a CVS.

I think there is a huge difference with who you have doing it. I had mine done privately and had a doctor who was head of obstetrics at UCH (I think). He had been one of the very early pioneers of CVS in the UK, had been doing it for 8 years and I'm pretty sure he told me he had never had a miscarriage as a result of this procedure.

It twinged a bit, didn't really hurt, I spend 2 days on bed rest afterwards and the waiting is pretty unpleasant - just as waiting for any test result is.

Happy to give any more info you need. I did not know about Mumsnet at the time and really wish I had! (The baby in question will be 3 next week and is just lovely!)

Original poster

Mazzyot · 22/09/2006 11:26

This is so nice to hear what other people have been through - I am still undecided but am much less stressed - thank you. For my first pregnancy my risk was something mad like 1:20,000 so it didn't even occur to me to have the test and it wasn't offered - but that was 3 years ago so age would have affected that risk.

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