Twins 10 weeks -bad NT results for 1 -Questions about CVS

[RubyJasper]

Hi Everyone,

I have had quite a week. On Tuesday found out that our triplet which we were going to have reduced died on its own. Very sad but happy that mother nature was doing her job.

Yesterday did NT - results not good for one of the remaining twins.

Question: We need to do CVS. We would want to reduce one of the babies if it has Downs. We are travelling to NYC for both procedures.

Can you rely on the quick CVS rather than waiting 2 weeks to know if the baby has Downs in order to make a decision whether to terminate or not?

When we go to NYC, will be just at 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

RubyJasper

[bags]

I think that the 24hr testing does look for Down's as it mostly counts the number of chromosomes. Call the clinic in NYC and ask to discuss this with their genetic counselor before you go. She should be able to give you a solid answer quickly about this issue.

It sounds like you are on quite a rollercoaster -- I hope it evens out soon.

Megan

[jenjade]

Hi,

First of all, I am so sorry you are having to go through all of this. I am 11 wks pregnant with triplets and will be reducing to twins in 2 1/2 weeks--I just can't get over the irony of how much there is to emotionally and physically process at a time when I am least equipped to do so.

I just had my CVS on Tuesday at Cedars Sinai in LA. Here is what the genetic counselor told me: it is possible to get preliminary results back in 24-48 hours, which most likely would catch Down's. However, to get full accuracy, you must let the cultures grow for 10 days. Cedars Sinai will not give preliminary results in cases of reduction because of the chance of error. I would meet with a genetic counselor at your hospital and hear what he/she has to say...different hospitals may handle this differently.

Waiting this extra time is so incredibly difficult...if you have a way to make the process go more quickly, I am sure it will save you a lot of extra emotion and stress.

Good luck to you and yours.....

[momto3angels]

I'm glad "mother nature" took care of the one triplet for you. I'm sorry you had an irregular NT scan. I know with my CVS test, we waited the full 2 weeks for the results. I don't know much about the 24-48 hour results. Talking to the genetic counsellor is probably your best bet and see what they say/think.

Regardless, I wish you the best of luck and hope that everything works out.

take care,

[zeza]

I know I asked about the 48 hour CVS results test and I was told Mt. Sinai(NYC) did not offer it. I had to wait the 10 days. As previously said, I would call the genetic counselor. That's what they are there for.....Good luck.

[Jann]

Hi,
This pas August I was pregnant with twins. The amnio showed one twin had downs and huge heart issues. I reduced the one baby at 16 weeks. It was such a hard time. I now have 1 healthy baby. I feel for you. Hang in there. You will get through it. Jann

[RubyJasper]

Hi Jann,

Thanks so much for sharing your experience with me.
Question: My doctor has told me that it is very risky to wait to reduce later after about 14 weeks. We don't know exactly what the risks are though. My dilemma is that the NT is not good for one twin. We are going to do a CVS on both but what do we do if the CVS shows no chromosomal abnormalities however the NT could still represent a wide array of structural abnormalities that the CVS doesn't detect. At what point would the structural abnormalities be evident and then would it be too risky to reduce one baby??? We have decided that we definitely prefer to reduce an unhealthy baby.
Let me know if you have any insight into these dilemmas.
Thanks so much,
RubyJasper

[DeAnne1]

I'm sorry you are going through all this. I'm just a singleton pg, but recently went through a bad NT scare myself, which caused me to have cvs. How high is the NT measurement? Mine was high enough to indicate a 70% chance of chromosone problems, but in the end cvs showed everything to be fine. So try not to be overly upset at this point. My cvs results were not rushed, but the lab faxed a report to my peri's office exactly 1 week after it was done (after hours on a Friday)---they called me on the Monday after, which was 10 days. I think the "real" time is a week, but they add in the weekend buffer. You will probably know a little sooner. CVS is supposed to be very accurate for chromosone problems, the only thing it doesn't rule out like amnio does is spina bifida. If you pass the cvs test okay keep in mind that the doctors will also be looking closely at everything during your Level II u/s. I hope that everything works out for you and your babies.

[bhoban]

With my DS, his NT scan results were enough that they recommended an amnio (although I don't know the exact measurements). He is a perfectly healthy 3 1/2 year old now. If it were me, I would rely on the results of the CVS in making a decision on what to do. If you are still worried about it, you can do an amnio later to set your mind at ease. I hope all turns out well for you - I know it is very stressful.

[Jann]

Hi Rubyjasper,
I live in Wash. DC area and had a great doctor who was 99.999999% confident that all would be well with my reduction at 16 weeks. He said the longer I waited, their might be a very slight problem (I don't remember exactly what he said) but he definitely said that the earlier I did the reduction, the better off I would be. I feel for you. Feel free to email me at runningaround@verizon.net if you have further questions. I also will look our for you on this board. Jann