Deciding to have a CVS - can anyone help?

[Clare123]

If you have read my previous post you will know we had a soft indicator for Down Syndrome, but we are still considered low risk (1:1000). My hubby does not want us to have CVS or an amnio. I am not so sure.

We have been offered a CVS at Kings in London. I can have it next week but then we need to wait until 16 weeks to have an amnio.

How did you make your decision to have further tests?

I was wondering if anyone else had an experience of a CVS at Kings?

How long afterwards can you miscarry for?

Does anyone know what the rates of miscarry are for Kings? (I have asked but they just give the national average of 1 in 100)

Thank you so much for any advice or information you can give me.

No info sorry. Bump.

I have had 2 CVS's - but not at Kings.

I can share my experience of having CVS's and the reasons why I chose to have them.

Can I ask what you would do if the outcome of the CVS was that the baby had DS? If the answer is that you wouldn't terminate - then why run the risk of miscarrying after a CVS if you would carry on with the pregnancy?

It is such a personal thing - I personally would have terminated if my CVS's had a positive diagnosis - however, there are loads of mners with DS children who are very happy with their lo's e.g. Thomcat etc.

I was 36 when pregnant the first time and 38 with number 2. I was 37 and nearly 39 when my dd's were born. I decided to have CVS's because of my age. I have got friends who were older who didn't.

I asked for a named consultant (recommended by a friend who had had 3 CVS's).

I found the chapter in the Mnet book about CVS's very helpful.

I think? that if you are going to miscarry then you usually do within 48 hours (ish).

I was given a helpful leaflet by my hospital (Nottingham City Hospital).

I am happy to share my experiences with you, and hope my post has helped.

Best of luck xx

I can't be of much help with the info you actually asked for but if at any stahe you want to talk about having a child with Down's syndrome then 'just call out my name and I'll come running'

I'm TeeCee, formerely thomcat and my 5yr old DD (see pics in my profile) has Down's syndrome.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do, xx

As a PP said, I think it depends on what you would do with the information. It's a very personal decision.

I had CVS for my fourth baby (currently 30 weeks pg) at the Fetal Medicine Centre in London. The main reason was that DH and I felt that having a fourth child who needed additional support would not be fair on our other three children. So we wanted to know for definite and therefore a diagnostic test was better than a screening one for us this time.

I think the risk of miscarriage occurs in the first 48 hours. Clinics and hospitals seem only to be allowed to quote the national average of 1:100 but I think this varies a lot from one practitioner to another. I was told 'off the record' that the doctor doing my CVS had a rate 'as good as it gets', which I took to mean zero.

HTH a bit. Please feel free to come back with any other questions or if you want any information about the procedure itself and good luck with your decision.

I really don't think I would carry on with the pregnancy. I don't think so. It would be such a difficult decision but that is how I feel at the moment.

The problem is my hubby is adament about us NOT having the test. Realistically, I don't know how I could go ahead with it without his support. He just feels the risk is so low - and it is, but I can't stop thinking about this indicator.

Thank you all so much for your information/advice I really appreciate it so much.

I had CVS with my first pregnancy when abnormalities were detected at my 20 week scan.

I personally am of the opinion that if problems are highlighted, whether you would termiante the pregnancy or not, it is usefull to know the health status of the baby prior to delivery.

1:1000 is a very low risk.
I had a risk of 1:100 in my first PG at 37, I did not have an amnio or CVS.
I am 43 and have had an OSCAR nuchal translucency and combined blood test, which is a very accurate screening test - my result was 1:2700. Again, I have decided not to have further tests.

Good luck, but remember, if the answer to the question 'would you terminate if the baby has Down's Syndrome?' is no, then why risk a miscarriage (1:100 risk or thereabouts for CVS and amnio)

i ve had nuchal and bloods done today at kings in london at harris birthright and my risks came back as 1 in 1465 so low i think plus the other risk for the trisomy test was 1 in 2785 but although i m low risk at age 40 im not sure whether its worth risking the cvs they offered me..they were lovely about it and dsaid that everything apperared normal..heart..nuchal,nasal bone etc that are usual markers plus bloods came back all clear but im stil unsure..ive miscarried two babies so dont want to risk losing this one uneccesarily....any advice?