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Hi Anna, I have not had CVS so maybe someone who has can give us firsthand experience. Until then, here's what my info packet that my Dr. gave me says: "Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) is a test that involves obtaining cells from the placenta instead of from the amniotic fluid. It is done early in pregnancy, between 10 and 12 weeks. An ultrasound picture locates the placenta in the uterus. A tiny piece of tissue is then removed from the placenta. This is done using a thin needle through the abdomen or a slender tube through the cervix. The cells from the placenta are examined for chromosomal defects." Personally, Anna, I'm not sure what the benefit is of CVS over amnio, I think I'd rather do amniocentesis because the same booklet shows the risk of miscarriage slightly lower for amnio, a higher accuracy in diagnosis and amnio can diagnose other defects besides Down's that CVS does not. Maybe someone else can shed light as to why they chose to or would chose CVS---maybe because it's done earlier (10-12 weeks) and they can choose to end the pregnancy if the results aren't good. . .or some other reason.

Perls info is accurate. People opt for cvs because it can be done between 10-13 weeks..often people who have had ips and had a high NTmeasurement..then they are eager to find out if there is a possiblility for DS or other chromosonal problems...if they are thinking about opting for termination if there are chromosonal problems. The amnio can not be done until 16-18 weeks..so often for some.. it is like waiting almost another two months.a D&C can be done when you are not too far along whereas after 16-18 weeks plus you would have to deliver the chromosonal baby and that could be devestating for most. It is an early detection method. I opted for CVS when I found out I had a 4.0 NT and the day I went for CVS the ultrasound indicated no fetal heart beat. The high NT measurement puts you at high risk for potential chromosonal problems. After my D&C..they tested the fetus and found out there were absolutely no chromosnal problems...I think it would have been harder for me as I would not have wanted to wait another 1-2 months for the amnio if there was a huge problem. I may opt for it again if my results are not good next week. Kristin :)

thanks for your replies. now i understand that you have a cvs if your test results show postive with your first test. Kristin i am wondering why they did not notice that there was no heartbeat with the first test? I have my ips on wednesday may 3 and i am bit nervous, thanks for explaining annabanana

Hi, I had a CVS test done at 11 weeks with no prior testing. I had many m/c's before this preg. and doc. opted to have this test done right away to detect any chrom.probs. It takes 3 weeks to get the results back, so by the time you know ur in the 2nd tri. anyway. I was told by doc. and genetics councellors that the risk for m/c is lower during CVS then amnio b/c baby is smaller (taking up less space in uterus) and only the placenta is being tested (which has the same DNA as baby). They told me there is less chance of harming the baby if you dont have to go anywhere near it during the test. I watched on ultrasound during the whole procedure (which was absolutely painless)...and the needle didnt go anywhere near the baby. If anyone has any questions, id be more than happy to go into more detail.

annabanana: I had a CVS at the end of 12 weeks because my first trimester screening showed a high risk factor for the baby having genetic problems. We opted for the CVS testing because it can be done much earlier than the amnio and you can get initial results (for trisomies 13, 18, & 21) within 24 hours - provided the lab in your area is capable of getting initial results this quick. The test isn't a required one, but it helped me a great deal with the emotional side of pregnancy. If you want to know anything further about the test itself, I'd be happy to share my experience with you. I was very nervous about the test, but everything turned out pretty good...I'm now almost 34 weeks!

I'm having first trimester screening done in 2 weeks and I know that CVS will be offered if my results aren't good so I may consider it. How was it done on you Sylvie and Toni, is it a needle like amnio or did they have to do it internally? Was it painful?

Hi annabanana, At my 11 weeks 5 days ultrasound the heart was beating just fine..not until the CVS at 13weeks 3 days had they determined by ultrasound on the day of that the heart had just stopped beating. I was scheduled for the D&C 3 days later. Again CVS is an elective test. it gives results within 24 hours in most cases for chromosonal problems. Try not to worry ahead of time..the ips can be exciting too..as you will see your little fetus moving and the heart beating and you can often atke home a litlle pic...The odds that everything will be just fine are in your favour even if you test screen positive. I have to admit I too have these fears..but lets just hope for the best :) we'll worry about CVS if and when we have to make that choice. If I have a good result with my ips then I will forgo cvs..but i may still go for amnio at a later date if my doc thinks it's necessary..but i can not say until i get there. Kristin :)

P.S. my IPS is Thursday May 4th.

Pearl: when I had my CVS, the doc inserted a catheter (a thin tube) into my abdomen (using ultrasound as a guide). Once the catheter was in, she took two samples of the placenta for testing. The whole procedure took about 5-10 minutes. The worst part of the test was my nerves before they did anything! The test itself didn't hurt at all and I didn't experience any ill after affects. The best advise I can give you if you do decide to have the test done, is to make sure the doctor performing the test has lots of experience with doing both transabdominal (the one I had) and transcervical procedures (preferably one who does at least 50 CVS procedures a year) . The more times the doc doing the CVS has performed the procedure, the lower your risk of complications. I got my initial results back within 24 hours - which ruled out the trisomies I mentioned in an earlier post, but had to wait almost 2 weeks for my final results (it took the cells a while to grow in the lab).

Perl - I chose internal. I was lucky that I had an option. The placental was located in a good spot either way. The internal was completely painless. It was like having a long pap smear. The whole time I was watching my baby on the ultrasound and could see exactly where the needle was going. I heard doing it externally is a little more painful. Make sure your doctor has lots of practise doing the procedure.

Thank you Toni and Sylvie, those were good descriptions. It cuts down the fear alot when I have some idea of what to expect. It sounds like it's painless either way. I'm squemish with pap tests so think I'd opt for the abdominal one if I'm given a choice---that's if I even decide to get a CVS it will all depend on the results of my screening next week. Good luck to Kristin this Thursday!!

Hi Anna, How did your IPS tests go today..I am thinking of you.. Kristin :)

Anna, hoping everything went well..please update. :) Kristin

hi kristin for the ultra sound everything seemed fine, the heartbeat was at 150. She put some numbers on the paper she gave me and i saw NT at 1.5 so i dont know what that means. This is so exciting and she gave me a picture. I am so anxious. how did yours go? which hospital are you giving birth at? Mine is Credit Valley. Let me know about your ultra sound, i forgot to ask her how many week I am, but i know my due date is November 9 from my calculation of my last menstrual cylce., Please keep me updated thanks Kristin

hi kristin let me know, hope is all

Hi Anna, 1.5 NT is just great! That is the meausrement of fluid behind the neck of the fetus..anything under 3.0 is considered normal..If your see the other measurements sometimes it will read CRL which is crown rump length. Anything betweem 45 and 84 mm is also good. I will probably give birth at Trillium in Mississauga...as that is where my OB works out of. However, my GP gave me all these forms for Credit Valley as well. So I am not exactly sure. I do live downtown so both places are a little far. Mine ultrasound was fine but she could not take my NT measurement as she dated the fetus at 10 weeks 5 days..She wanted to wait until I am past 11 weeks..so I will go next Thursday instead. She did give my a pic and said from a glance everything looked great! Who know's..I just hope my Nt is below 3.0..as that is the cut off for things to be considered normal. Originally I had thought from my dating that I was 11 weeks 1 day and that my due date was Nov 21st..I don't know if that will change now that she has dated me a few days earlier. Again, I am very happy things went so well for you..keep it up! XO Kristin