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Pregnancy

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Original poster

CVS - does it hurt?

12 replies

sprout · 30/04/2003 11:10

My friend is having CVS (choronic villi sampling - spelling??) next week and is very worried about exactly what the procedure will involve and how much it will hurt. Has anyone has this done?

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Lulu41 · 30/04/2003 14:17

Yes I have had two - it is not particularly painful - when the needle goes in there is a bit of a scratchy feeling and its a little uncomfortable. To be honest I think its the process itself that makes you nervous but it only last a 10 minutes at the most tell your friend not to stress too much for us it was well worth the slight discomfort you feel just to know our babies are OK.

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sprout · 02/05/2003 08:18

Thanks Lulu41, I'll pass on the message.

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lyra41 · 23/05/2005 19:18

How many weeks pg were you when you had the test? How soon after you had CVS did you find out the result? Did you already know you were having twins or did the CVS tell you this too? Do you just find out about DS or other things too? Did you get any spotting afterwards?

hotmama · 23/05/2005 21:02

I had a CVS in March 2004 as I was 37 and I wanted to know definitely if there were any abnormalities. CVS are done about 12 weeks - there is a very short window when they can be done. I got a phonecall the next day to give me the provisional result about downs syndrome. The hosp then grows a culture for more definite results etc - the results are available in about 2-3 weeks - at this time you can be told the sex if you want to know - 100% definite as CVS is a chromosomal test etc.

Apparently, there can be some spotting - I didn't have any. There is a higher chance of miscarriage with a CVS than an amniocentesis (2% compared to 1% - but who can say the procedure is the cause of a miscarriage anyway?)

I don't know if a CVS can be done if you are expecting twins, assume you can if they are identical i.e. sharing the same placenta but not if non-identical i.e. having separate placenta's - but someone more knowledgable may know.

The area where the needle is going to be inserted is numbed with a local anaesthetic and tbh I didn't feel the needle as such - but I did find the procedure very emotional and did cack it after!

My results were fine (phew) and dd was born last October.

foolysh · 23/05/2005 21:09

My cousin had it twice, thru the vagina no pain at all, thru the abdomen it hurt like hell. I spoke to a woman who had no pain relief at her first childbirth, but she had CVS (also thru abdomen, she spoke of ruddy great big needle being mashed around to get a chunk of placenta) for 2nd pregnancy. He also said it hurt like hell, she couldn't believe that no one warned her how much it can hurt.

So I reckon it usually doesn't hurt, but it can hurt, you can't be sure.

hotmama · 23/05/2005 21:13

I had mine through the abdomen and it was more of a tugging sensation IYSWIM - be prepared it is not a pleasant experience - if only because of the emotional baggage - I was in tears afterwards!

I was holding a nurses hand and grasped it very tightly.

For info - I requested a consultant that I knew was very experienced as they had done CVS's on friends - can't be a guarantee that everything will be O.K. but I felt that I was increasing my odds.

lyra41 · 23/05/2005 22:17

Thanks so much for getting back to me on this, I really appreciate it.

Also not sure how to find out about which consultant has most experience with this procedure. Any ideas? It will be at St. Mary's hospital, Manchester.

I hope I get the vaginal type of CVS, it sounds less painful!

ER is calling now, so I'll check back later.

hotmama · 23/05/2005 22:22

I don't think you have a choice what kind of CVS you have - it depends on how the placenta is lying. Happily post again if you need any other info.

Jewel123 · 09/09/2010 15:24

I know this is an old thread but just in case other people are reading the information (as I am) I had a CVS yesterday as my NT scan results were really bad (5.5mm) and we were told that we had a high risk of chromosome or heart problems.

I was very nervous about the procedure but actually it was surprisingly ok. There is a little scratch when the needle for the local anaesthetic was put in my abdomen. The rest just felt a little uncomfortable but definitely no pain whatsoever in my case. It was all over in minutes and I spent the time talking to my DH to distract me.

We are waiting on the results now and I have been told to take it easy for a day or so. For me I am glad I had the test because the 'not knowing' is the worst part.

Good luck everyone.

Jewel123 · 10/09/2010 22:17

It's two days since my CVS test and I had a bit of a scare today. I had some bleeding but have had it checked out at the hospital and all seems ok. They just said that my placenta is bleeding slightly and that it will subside. They scanned me and there was a strong heartbeat. I also had the first part of my CVS tests back today (48 hours later) and I am clear for all the major chromosome issues (I also found out it was a boy so this clears it of Turners syndrome which was the main suspect). The next thing we are waiting on is the 20 weeks scan to see if the baby has a heart problem. We're feeling hopeful today but I know I can't afford to get my hopes up too much because I know we have a way to go but we have got past the first hurdle!

blueshoes · 10/09/2010 23:13

Mine was transabdominal. It was uncomfortable but never approaching unbearable. The most violent part was going through my stomach muscles, where the doctor had to make a sharp movement. After that momentary stab, it was fine. But I had a nice set of stomach muscles, being my first child. Won't have that problem now!

Beebee20 · 21/03/2015 12:20

Is there anyone who has experienced brown spotting after an abdominal CVS?

I had the procedure on Thursday after a 1:85 result from the combined test. I am 13 weeks 4 days gestation and last night when I went to the toilet I noticed some bloody muscus. I called the labour ward as I had been told to do and they suggested I go straight to A and E. The doctor there examined me and said my womb was closed and there was a very small amount of dark brown blood. She thought it was from the baby moving position after the CVS perhaps but didn't think it was the start of a miscarriage. I have a little girl who is 14 months now but before her I had two miscarriages that started with brown spotting so I am really worried. I have a scan booked for Monday but that seems such long way off at the moment. I just wondered if there is anyone else that had experience this after an abdominal CVS?

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