CVS scan

[Heron23]

Hi, Has anyone had a CVS scan at Fetal Medicine Centre, Harley St? How was the experience? did they tell you the risk? what is it? how much did it cost?

Hi Heron, CVS is an early (and slightly different) version of an amnio, not a scan. Do you mean this or do you mean a nuchal scan which will tell you the risk of downs, edwards etc so you can see whether should have cvs or not? (I had nuchal at the FMC).

Hi Har, I believe that the nuchal scan is done first, and then, CVS. With my first child, I only had the nuchal. But now I am a lot older (42) I want to do the CVS as well, to be completely sure.
Did you have a good experience at FMC? did you have the CVS or just the nuchal?

I just had the nuchal as the risk came back low (had quite a high risk result when I had the nuchal where I live in Sweden, so when over in UK for Christmas I booked myself in for a CVS at FMC). They re-did the nuchal (plus blood tests) and then because the risk was low I decided not to go for the CVS. They give you the risk result straightaway (to decide whether to continue to CVS) but obviously it takes longer for all results to come back from CVS.

The ultrasound equipment is so good at FMC and the doctors who perform the scans are excellent (and very nice!) so even if you didn't carry on to have the CVS (if they suggested there was no real need to) you could be pretty calm. They can check much more of the baby than normal ultrasounds. If you want a CVS the doctors are all very well trained (the receptionist laughed - nicely! - when I called panicking about chance of miscarriage and said I wasn't to worry for a second). If you want the main doctor (Nikolaides) then he sees people on Wednesday and you often have a very long wait. All the doctors are chosen and trained by him though so unless you're particularly nervous then you can be happy with one of them, I would have absolutely trusted mine.

Very helpful staff, lovely doctors and a fab hot chocolate/coffee machine in the waiting room! Everyone seems to think the place is great (it was recommended to me by my old English GP and gynae when I asked where I should go for CVS). The nuchal cost (inc blood test) about £130-150, can't quite remember. Not sure about the CVS. Well worth it, I thought.
Good luck!

I had a nuchal scan at the FMC on Tuesday after having a scan i wasn't satisfied with on Monday.

They are amazing. Spend a long time with you, they check for many many more things than a nuchal scan on the NHS.

I decided not to have a CVS or Amnio after being reassured by them. They do tell you your risk at the end of the appointment.
It cost £150.

If you can afford it i think it is money well spent. After having a bit of a traumatic time on Monday i nearly kissed the doctor just because he was so nice to me.

Hi - I had a nuchal scan and CVS at FMC a few months ago. Like you I'm 42 and like Stickybean I'd had a private scan via my hospital that I wasn't happy with.

The basic scan and blood test cost me the same as I'd paid at my local hospital! But the FMC were amazing..quality of scan and time taken and attention to detail, simply amazing. Bloods done and back within the time taken for the CVS to be done.

I had a 1 in 2 risk of the baby having Trisomy 21 & 13 so had the CVS done by Prof Nikolidies (sp?) Really uneventful (very quick) procedure...results back in 2 days - all clear Full labs back in 2 weeks - which said the same thing.

Definately money well spent (£500 I think with CVS) wish I'd done it straight off and not bothered with the hospital...gave quick peace of mind. HTH