cvs testing and nuchal scans (?)

[Tia38]

i'll probably start another thread on this next week, but in the meantime.....

has anyone done cvs testing? if so, did you have a nuchal scan first? or just jumped right into the cvs test?

i just noted the date ranges for the two tests overlap, so it is possible to do nuchal first, and then the cvs. (i hadn't realized it until i put it on a calendar)

if i got it right, cvs is done 10-12 weeks, and nucal is done 11-13+ weeks. is that right?

and the longer term question (which i plan to put on another thread, but please comment if you have thoughts) is if one is going to do cvs or amnio, how to choose between the two. [yes, this opens a whole can of worms on prenatal tests. let's do our best to not be judgemental!]

thanks all
-tia

[houndlover]

judgemental??

[houndlover]

Sorry Tia, I can't give you any REAL input until I pull my books out.

I do know that the nuchal scan is non invasive so that is a major plus. It's a good indicator however it's not as accurate as the other test.

I am starting to second guess whether or not to have some of the tests run. I know the risk is minimal but I think about risking the pg I worked so hard to get and that scares me a bit.

Guess I did have a little input.

[BC-GoMom]

Houndlover- where DO you get these smileys?????

[Tia38]

thanks hound -- i too have very mixed feelings.

i don't have to decide for a while, but my japan trip (currently 1.5 weeks followed by a long weekend wedding in ny) would make it impossible for me to do the cvs test, at least as i currently understand it's done between 10-12 weeks.

i was holding off on getting any books myself until later this week (post heart beat) but i'll do a bit more posting online, and maybe post over on the general pg board.

given that many of the tests are recommended to "older moms-to-be" i thought i'd start here.

i haven't been online this weekend, so perhaps others haven't been either, and i'll get a few more responses during the week.

cheers,
-tia

[oldermama]

HI Tia:

I am in Canada so wasn't privy to the nuchal fold scan - just the option of a CVS or amnio (I could have had the triple screen blood test BUT with my age taken into consideration - it would have come positive - 100% for abnormalities - so I didn't even bother with the blood test).

This is just MY opinion but here it is - if I was you or if I could have had - I would have opted to have the nuchal fold scan (because it is noninvasive and no risk to baby) THEN depending on what the outcome of the scan was - I would have either not had further testing or IF the risk was high would have had the amnio (which is done after 15 weeks).

I choose the amnio over the CVS due to risk only - in Canada the risk for miscarriage for a CVS was 1/100 vs the amnio 1/200. I found websites where women had lost babies due to cvs and that kind of scared me. I also knew that the hospital that did the tests only did them 1/2 day a week vs amnios 5 days a week. I also read the more experienced the dr. who does either the amnio or cvs is - the better your chances and hence lower risk.

It's a very personal decision and one that is filled with much angish. I was terrified that I may harm my baby but also knew I had to know if something was wrong. It was a very hard decision and I cried and worried over it many times. I truly wish I had access to the nuchal scan as I know many many women who have had that done and their risks have been lowered so dramatically that there was no need to further test. I only know of 2 who's scan showed something really off and unfortunately further testing confirmed that indeed the babe had something wrong.

So my advice be what it may - do the nuchal scan - if that shows markers or really high risk - then you can decide on the amnio from there.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

Barbara

[Tia38]

Barbara -- thank you for your thoughts. This is the kind of response I was hoping for. I am still a long ways out from testing (almost a month), but sort of need to do some planning now (due to planned travel in mid-July).

It is indeed a tough decision for all the reasons you mentioned. Once I have an OB (and hopefully that will be soon!) I hope s/he will have more good data and insights for me.

Any other opinions welcome. As I said, I'm likely to start another thread on this in the next week or two. :-)

Cheers,
-Tia

PS. Barbara, I'm keeping you and your family in my prayers. I hope your MIL gets to meet her new grandbaby. I do appreciate your taking the time out to post right now.

[LouHoo]

I am doing a nuchal scan in two weeks. According to my OB, the timing does not work to do a nuchal scan before a CVS. You either do a CVS, or you do the nuchal scan and then decide whether or not to do the amnio. The risk with amnio is slightly less than the risk with CVS. The advantage to CVS is finding out earlier in the pg if something is wrong. It's a totally personal decision, but I'm going with my OB's recommendation to have the nuchal scan first. Then, based on the results, we may or may not have an amnio. If the nuchal scan (with the quad screen) show a low risk of problems, I will probably skip the amnio and avoid putting my baby at risk.

Of course, I will probably change my mind 10 times in the next several weeks, and I'm scared about the whole thing, but that's where we stand right now.

I'm looking forward to the nuchal scan so I can get a good look at my baby!

Good luck with your decision and with any tests.

[CindiR]

I had an amnio with my first and CVS with my second. Both went off without a hitch and I would do it again. I chose CVS with my second because we could get the results that much earlier. I had the amnio with my 1st after having an abnormal triple test. Good luck with your decision. My advice would be that if you decide to do it make sure that your peri is experienced in these kinds of tests.

[faith4_baby]

Here's where you can get the smiley's JenC. Enjoy.

http://smiley.smileycentral.com/download/index.jhtml?partner=ZSYYYYYYYZUS&ref=null

Originally Posted by BC-JenC

Houndlover- where DO you get these smileys?????