[Jillian_10]

Just wanting to hear from others about their experiences with CVS.

I had my 12w scan on Tuesday, my OB phoned me on Wednesday afternoon to let me know my combined risk was 1/289, due to low pappa. Age related risk was 1/83, measurement was 2.1mm, so good, and beta hcg was fine.

She recommended that I go through with CVS, and I was booked in at a specialist ultrasound place, and had the procedure this morning.

The baby looked fine before and after the procedure, it's heartrate had increased a little but the dr was pleased with how things went.

The whole thing was a bit uncomfortable, and I've been having a small amount of discomfort for the rest of the day - an odd cramp earlier, and some random shooting pains now.

I just don't know how I feel about any of it :/ The dr who performed the procedure was very 'correct' he let me know that there is a 1/100 risk of losing a healthy pregnancy. He personally hadn't had any patients who had lost a healthy pregnancy due to CVS, but had two adverse results with amnio.

Before the test, I was thinking I just wished I wasn't pregnant, so I wouldn't be having to take such a risk at all. I couldn't wrap my head around there actually being something wrong. I'm worried that I was being overly optimistic about everything.

Now that the procedure is done, I feel much more pessimistic. I feel I won't be hearing any good news and keep envisioning having to break the bad news to everyone and then deal with an awful decision to make.

I also worry that the low pappa will cause all sorts of other issues with the pregnancy.

Anyway, I suppose I'm wondering if these are normal thoughts and feelings. Did you still feel discomfort at the end of the day of your CVS? How did you get through the wait for FISH and complete results?

[Runner5]

Hi Jillian,

I didn't have a CVS, but I did have an amnio at 15.5 weeks due to low PAPP-A. I lay low for a day or 2 after, just to be safe, and everything was fine, but in saying that, it was a different procedure. But I can offer further advice on low PAPP-A - my dr said that we are at MARGINALLY increased risk of our placenta quitting early on us. Basically we will have growth scans from 28 weeks onwards to check that the baby is still growing and if at any point it stops, it means baby qualifies for an early exit. But that was the only side effect he has mentioned at this point.

Hopefully your results are all good (we paid extra for the FISH method too!) and I hope you're able to relax over the weekend

[DS1979]

I had a cvs with my most recent pregnancy. My scan was good but my papp a results were only 0.3 which made my chances of downs 1: 110. The cvs went well and my results came back clear for no downs. I payed to have my results fast tracked so i had the results in less than 48 hours - very worth the cost.

Due to the low papp a i have had extra growth scans to make sure the placenta is working ok (28 and 34 weeks) and so far so good! I am now just over 35 weeks and all is looking well with bub, it is on the smaller side but so were my other two kids so it's hard to say whether it's from the low papp a or not.

I want to say try not to worry and stress about it all but if you didn't then you wouldn't be human, i know i was terrified until my results came in. Just know it's not uncommon though for many women who have the low papp a to go on to have completely normal pregnancies and healthy babies. Good luck, keep us posted on how it all pans out.

[wallofdodo]

I have had 2 CVS's. I don't remember much from the first, but I remember with the second I had period like pains.

You will be very up and down over the next couple of weeks. Just accept that, and allow the emotions to happen. Make sure you do some special things with your partner this weekend. You just get through, you really do. Once you get the fish results it is such a weight off. Either way good or not so good.

Good luck OP, it is a tough time.

[eskimoo]

Hi Jillian

I have had both a CVS and amnio in my two pregnancies.
A CVS in my first pregnancy due to risk coming back 1/79 and an amnio this pregnancy due to low papp-a (0.25mom) and risk 1/280.
The CVS was rather uncomfortable, much more than the amnio and with both I took it very easy for the two days after. We paid the extra for the FISH results for the CVS and got the results back in 48 hours. I don't have much advice waiting for results. Everyone is different. I just tried to make sure I was busy until at least the FISH results came back.
Our amnio wait was much, much harder as we had additional testing done and didn't find out the results until 20wks (took 5 long weeks).
Your nuchal measurement was pretty good so that's a very good sign. As for the papp-a, in this pregnancy for me, they aren't even worried about it. It does have a slight increase in placental deterioration but my high-risk midwife certainly isn't bothered by it. I had to ask for a growth scan which I only had yesterday at 34 weeks and placenta is looking perfect. Even though my placenta was rubbish with my first baby, the midwife has told me they'll still let me go to 41 weeks before discussing options.

I know its hard not to worry, but try to keep yourself busy over the weekend until the FISH results are back.

All the best for you

[eskimoo]

You will be very up and down over the next couple of weeks. Just accept that, and allow the emotions to happen. Make sure you do some special things with your partner this weekend. You just get through, you really do. Once you get the fish results it is such a weight off. Either way good or not so good.

well said

[Jillian_10]

Thank you all for sharing.

It feels less uncomfortable this morning but I have a small amount of brown discharge which is scaring me a lot.

Going to try taking it easy again today, but I've read that the increased risk of miscarriage is an issue for 14 days, so lots more distraction is in order I think.

ETA and I've had some really sharp stabby pains right in my middle. Could be gas I suppose, just really scary.

This post has been edited by Jillian_10: 23/02/2013, 08:03 AM

[redmum77]

Hi Jillian,
I really feel for you hon, it's a hard wait and a scary thing to go through. I had a cvs with this pregnancy, my age (35) and the bloods (large gap) gave me a 1:78 chance of downs. We did a cvs at 14 weeks, all through the hospital. The results came back clear. I think by then I had been through, and put myself through, so much that I barely cared any more what the results were!

I guess mine is an 'alls well that ends well' story, I hope that's ok. I hurt after the procedure as you described, kinda period pains etc. And a few stabby pains. I leaked what I knew was amniotic fluid that night. I called the hospital and they said to come in in the morning. I was distraught to say the least. I wasn't gushing, but it was a lot more than there should have been. Worst night of my life nearly. I went to the hospital in the morning, the leaking had stopped. They were so lovely, and did everything they could to keep me comfy and calm. They did swabs and scans and the baby was ok, enough fluid left to be ok, and I had stopped leaking. They couldn't really know if the hole was healed though.
I went back in a few days for a rescan to check again that everything was ok. Phew. They really hadn't seen it before I think, so at least that's reassuring to anyone reading this - experienced guy, just a random event.

So all the emotional roller coasters you are riding I think are normal and part of your instinct to protect the baby. From what I know a bit of brown discharge is ok. But if you are at all concerned just phone and they will know for sure. The best thing to do, and how I think I managed to avoid disaster, is rest. Rest rest rest. Feet up, lie back really do stay still. Do not lift anything. I even have two other children, and managed this - they were so good and helpful.

Sorry for the essay, but it can feel like such a lonely journey and EB helped me so so much (including some of the above lovely posters), just wanted to offer that back You aren't alone and you aren't silly to worry, but as the pp said try to accept that it's normal and then distract yourself. Time will pass, results will come in, and you will cope.

[Jillian_10]

Thank you all so much for the support.

We got the FISH results this morning, and everything is fine, plus he told me its a male fetus

I am still having the odd stabby pain, but will see my OB tomorrow, so she can check that he is still OK in there.

I'm still worried about the implications of low pappa, but am trying not to stress out.

[Cyaira]

Hi Jilian,

Congrats on the FISH results and your little boy - what a relief!

I had almost *exactly* the same results (I'm almost 37 weeks now). We didn't do the amnio though but have had no further indications of t21 whatsoever so far and I was told if the nasal bone was included in the measurement my risk would have been a lot lower (maybe 1/700?).

The scary stuff: I was told low papp-a can (but not will) indicate problems with the placenta, usually not evident until later on in pregnancy. So you're higher risk for pre-eclampsia and IUGR.

But, this is rare and usually means nothing. I have just been monitored a bit more closely and having more growth scans and of course regular checkups for general wellbeing etc. My BP is low to perfectly normal. Baby is in fact measuring 2 weeks big, not small! It's all very manageable and you're in good hands.

Good luck and try not to worry too much xox