CVS test

I'm 36 and 9 weeks pg. I've seen 2 OBs so far. One of whom gave me all the testing choices, the other gave me the choices but encouraged the CVS.

At first I thought I wanted to do it, but now I'm not so sure. The doc said the only reason I should do it is b/c of my age, that 1 in something like 278 women are at risk for a chromosomal disorder. I said the risk of the test outweighs the risk of a chromosomal disorder. He disagreed and said CVS has a 1 in 200 risk.

I feel like I am being pressured to take this test. It's really unsettling.

Has anyone else been through this?

BTW, the reason I'm not thrilled with the other OB either is b/c she missed a pretty obvious problem with my thyroid.

Re: CVS test

What about waiting until you get the results of the ultrascreen at around 11-13 weeks?

This way it's non invasive, and then you can decide on doing further testing depending on the results??

My sister in law was 37 with her first baby, so she had all the testing done...BUT, my brother is adopted, so his medical history is unknown, and her brother had a child with chromosonal disorders, so their risks were a bit higher.

PS...All was perfect with the little guy!

Re: CVS test

Thanks! I think that's what I'll do. I'll go to the ultrascreen and take it from there.

There so much to worry about!

Re: CVS test

I am older than you are. I was all set to go through with the CVS test, but my doctor discouraged me from it. The risks of amnio are lower and my Dr. did not feel that knowing earlier would justify the risk of CVS. Still, it was totally up to me. I am having the ultrascreen and I do not plan to go through with the amnio if I am shown to be at a low risk or if my risk level is low for my age. I decided not to have the CVS test, but I guess I still have time to do it if I learn that I have a high risk.

Re: CVS test

My OB thought I should do the CVS but we waited to get the Nucal Translucency test back and the results were great so we didn't bother.

I wasn't going to take it anyway.

PS I am 40.

Message edited 4/19/2007 5:31:36 PM.

Re: CVS test

I'm 37 and pg w/ my first child. I too felt so much pressure from the Dr.'s but still opted not to do any of the tests.

At 9wks, they tested my blood for down syndrome. When the tests came back that I had a chance of 1 in 3000 of having a child w/ d/s, I didn't think about any other tests!

Then, at 20 weeks, I went for the ultra screening. At this time I was encouraged to do the amino b/c 1. my age 2. they saw cysts near my daughter's brain (which are normal in development but another red flag w/ combined w/ reasons #1 and #3)
#3, they *THOUGHT* they might have seen a cleft lip/palate. Those 3 reasons combined the Dr. felt like I should do the amnio. I caved and did it ONLY b/c I wanted to know if I needed to do research etc..

I think Dr.'s these days freak out if you're a day over 35. When I spoke to my regular Dr. about the amnio, she said, that's so odd b/c your blood work is that of a 20year old!!!!

Everything is fine w/ my daughter and she does not have any chomosone discorders and no cleft lip/palate. It was a relief to find out about the lip, and the amnio just confirmed what I'd known all along- there's nothing wrong.

If you do not want to take the test, don't. Tell your Dr. that you are against it and please not to ask you again. They should respect your wishes!!!

Feel free to FM me if you have any other questions...

Re: CVS test

I'm 36 & pregnant w/ my first. We had the ultrascreen at 12 wks & they told me the results came back better than when I started, based on my age...meaning b4 testing I had a 1 in 300 chance of downs & after it was a 1 in 5000 chance & the same type of #'s for the trisomy 13.

We opted not to do the amnio.

Go with what you & your hubby think is right...

Re: CVS test

I can't thank you guys enough. I was really annoyed when I canceled the CVS test yesterday and my doc called me today to tell me he thinks I should do it - "not trying to pressure you" yeah ok. Then he said that doctors are leaning away from the amnio and more towards the CVS, which I think is misleading - I'm sure SOME docs are, but it's not the norm. I really was surprised that this test - which is supposedly my decision - is so pushed by this doc b/c I'm 36. If there were other reasons, I would understand, but anything I thought might put me at risk he said is not an issue.

My head hurts just thinking about this. Thanks again to everyone who replied, it really helps



ETA: when I was on the phone w/him he said "esp w/twins, there is double the chance". I said "I'm having twins!????!" and he hemmed and hawed and said he had been reading someone else's file.

Message edited 4/19/2007 6:35:38 PM.

Re: CVS test

I was "encouraged" by my doctor to have an amnio...

I am 34 years old and I already have a child with Mosaic Down Syndrome..

After telling my doctor several times that I didnt want to have one he wouldnt stop "encouraging" me...

Even after a very good Ultrascreen...

He "encouraged" me so much that I wound up switching Doctors.

Dont do anything you dont feel comfortable doing....

Re: CVS test

I agree with everyone else- do what you think is right for you.

We saw a genetic couselor and her advice was too wait until after the ultrascreen to decide.

We flip flopped and in the end my high risk Dr specializes in the CVS and we felt more comfortable doing that vs. the amnio.

ALso, my dr only does the CVS through the belly not intravaginaly as he feels it's less risky.

In hindsight, I am glad I did it b/c I am a worry wort.

Also, when we went initially for the ultrascreen we couldn't get the measurements thanks to my tilted uterus.

I knew I wanted to do something. ( cvs or amnio- to know for sure what was going on) My mothers family tree was incomplete as she had no info on her fathers side.

It is a very personal decision- just keep weighing things out with your dh and don't let anyone make you feel forced.

Do what is best for you



ETS-please feel free to FM me if you have any other ?'s

Message edited 4/20/2007 8:45:23 AM.