Seeking Advise on CVS Test

I had the test at 36 years of age at Mt. Sinai in Manahttan which is one of the best places to have it done. I would recommend it if you want to know results as early as you can.

Hi
if you aren't planning on doing anything if it comes back that the baby has down's, then I wouldn't do the test at all. I was ok with the results from my screening test. However, if I hadn't been, I would have done the CVS vs the amnio. You can do it earlier and the needle in the stomach freaks me out.

I had the CVS done last year following an extremely abnormal NT scan. It was done by Dr. Lynn Simpson at Columbia in NYC who is phenomenal. If you choose to do it, make sure the physician has done many of them. Experience definitely counts for this. Mine was done transabdominally and the procedure itself was really not bad. It's a bit uncomfortable at its worst. Our results came back positive. I don't say this to frighten you but to let you know that I was glad I did it. I knew I would not abort no matter what but it gave me the opportunity to give my baby the best and most appropriate prenatal care possible. Babies with DS need to be monitored more closely.

I pray for the best possible outcome for you and your baby.

You have to think too about the possible emotional/psychological effect a false positive might have on you and your family. I have a friend who did the CVS test, which suggested her daughter may in fact have downs. She worried and stressed, and her daughter did NOT have downs. She has said she would never do the CVS again.

To Everyone who responded to this post,

I have a similar situation.I read all your posts and I found it to be very helpful. I would love to know for those of you that chose not to have the test, how did the situation turned out after the pregnancy. Having that further information would also be very helful.

Thank YOu

I opted for a CVS rather than an ammnio with my son. I an so glad that I did it. I had minimal discomfort and new the results within a few days. This was a few years ago, but all the research agreed that b/c it is a newer procedure you should have a doctor with a lot of experience do the procedure (less risk of miscarriage). I had mine done at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in the fetal medicine dept.
My understanding is that there is only a brief window of a few weeks where the test can be done.
Good luck with your decision.

I was 37 and they told me the same thing. I had a cvs testing and everything was fine and my 3 children are fine. That usually comes up because of your age, usually after 35. I would get tested just to make sure, but usually everything comes out fine. I wouldn't worry too much, just do the test to be positive.

M. S.

Are your doctor's RECOMMENDING it or just OFFERING it to you. If they are recommending it, are they concerned about something else with the baby other than downs? They really are not supposed to RECOMMEND it, but give the stats of risks, false positives and negatives, and then you completely make the decision from there. I'm just wondering if there's another concern with them.

I was 41, and decided not to have a CVS or amnio because my risk of miscarriage from the procedures was higher than my chances of downs with the NT and blood screening tests. At first I thought I would definitely abort if I did CVS and it came back positive, but then I decided I wouldn't, so why do it. For some people they just want to know beforehand even if they are not going to abort. It's one thing to decide you would abort beforehand, but another when you actually get to that time, you may feel differently.

I realize I'm not helping you much, but no one can really help you make this decision, but sometimes hearing other people's stories make it easier to come to a decision. For me, at one point I just realized I would love that child no matter what, and decided not to do it. But honestly, there's no right/wrong decision in your situation, and whatever you decide is right for you. Good luck.

Just my opinion, but are you planning to abort if there's something wrong? I wasn't so I chose not to even do the tests at all. I was 33, 36, and 38 for my pregnancies and each time they tried to get me to take the tests and each time I refused because I wanted the baby no matter what. I had ultrasounds, and if anything was very seriously wrong (like heart outside the chest or something like that) it would have showed up on that and then we would have prepared for the worst, but otherwise if it was a Downs baby I would not have aborted. I just trusted and let the baby come to me that was meant to be with me. Good luck with your decision.

The 20 week level 2 ultrasound will show any gross defects of the heart and organs, and be able to determine (to a certain extent) if Down's Syndrome is present (measuring bone length, skin folds at the back of the neck, etc..) Having this info would be important at delivery.

If you are not planning on doing anything with a positive result, then I would skip further testing (personally). The blood tests are NOT 100% accurate. I would not be keen on the thought of a big needle going into my belly (or my baby's personal space for that matter), just to get an answer that would not change my mind about bringing that baby into the world.

Good luck

I was in the same position re: NT. we had the cvs vaginally the day of the NT; it was painless and simple, and we had quick results in 2 days and full results in 5. baby was fine and is now a sparky 13.5 month old. i am very glad we had the cvs - my husband and i would have lost our minds otherwise. i'm sending you positive thoughts and prayers.

ps - our dr. was also Dr. Simpson at Columbia - she is fantastic.

I don't think it's just an issue for abortion, it's also a medical issue. Downs babies (and the other possible diagnoses picked up by the CVS test) can have associated medical problems that require swift medical response after delivery.

Only you can decide what you'll do with the information, but not having it will bring unnecessary anxiety throughout the pregnancy. Why not know and be empowered with that information whatever the answer may be?

If you have any specific questions about the test (which I have had recently) please feel free to send me a private message.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

Edited to add: The procedure (which I had the needle through the stomach) was less painful than a pelvic exam. It was surprisingly easy.

After tough times with previous pregnancies, I did have a CVS. That is the way to go. I had the CVS over 8 years ago and wish I had known about it prior to that. It is safe and the only reason you dont hear about it so often is that doctors just don't perform it as much. Old school I guess. The progressive and smart doctors do the procedure which is slightly more risky -- and I mean slight as in a percent. Please don't torture yourself and go for the test. You will be som relieved at early time in your pregnancy. Trust me, I had complication at 5 months. You dont want that. mom of two boys and happy!!!

If you are going to do the CVS you will have to make up your mind soon since it is time sensitive. If you don't, you can also do an amnio after 15 weeks. Either test will give you a yes/no answer that you really need with results of 1:5. The ultrasound and bloodwork can't give you a definitive answer so you should find out for sure. But if you don't want to wait for an answer then you can do the CVS now so you know what you are dealing with. No matter what you want to do with the information that a CVS or amnio will give you, at least you will know for sure. But yes, go to an OB that is trained, especially if it's a CVS. It's a little more of an invastive procedure. Good luck and I hope it turns out good!

We are older parents and hence our risk for certain defects seemed really quite high to us. So we definitely wanted to test the fetus and did not want to wait around for four months before having the amnio. I had a CVS at 11 weeks and while it is a little disconcerting to have needle stuck in your belly while your pregnant, I was able to obtain the results I needed EARLY. In our case, the test showed that all was well and we were on our way. I feel grateful that this test was introduced!!! I would have been quite stressed with the not knowing.

Hi S.
I had a high number for the nuchal test as well as risk level from blood test prompting my OB to suggest for me to have more invasive testing if I wanted. My age-31 at the time and genetic history was considered. I opted for an ultrasound/amnio at 18 weeks because it has been available for more than 20 years. All ended well but the mental anguish leading up to the time was overwhelming. Having the CVS is becoming more common get a well experienced physician. There are risks for miscarriage in any invasive procedures. Pray on it and you will do whats right for you.

Congrats and Best wishes
I turned 40 in April the year our twins were born. I can't help with the testing as we refused all of them, but I can say that I had healthy twin girls weighing in at 6'8" & 5'11" and our older boys were 14 & 19 years old by then. It is the best thing that could have happened to us.
May God bless you with peace and may you enjoy each moment with your children.
K. -- SAHM married 38 years --- adult children -- 37 coach; 32 lawyer; and twins are now 18 and in college after homeschooling. GPA 3.7 & 3.8 -- journalism and fine arts respectively.