worried about CVS

[summerpixie]

I am booked in for a CVS on Monday. I was only told on Thursday that I had a 1/30 chance of a Downs baby.

My NT was clear and sonographer said the scans didn't show anything abnormal and fold was 1.6mm.

I am now in 2 minds as to the CVS. I called up FMC yesterday hoping to get a 2nd opinion by having a private more detailed scan but their earliest appt isn't until wednesday. I live 10 minutes from Babybond so I could ask them if they have any appts for today.

I think I am more worried about m/c with the CVS. I won't know who the consultant will be at QCCH until monday as they are 'fitting me in' so I can't even check their stats. My PAPP-A and bHCG results were given to me as 379 u/l and 69.39 u/l respectively, so I don't even know what that is as MoM or what normal levels should be. All I can sort of deduce from googling is that my bHCG levels are extremely low.

I'm 33 so not in the older category, along with a clear NT I am guessing my bloods are so low they have increased my chances of a trisomy child. I have had such a fuzzy head for the past 2 days :( I'm worried CVS will cause M/C or results come back with Edwards or Patau. I already have a wonderful non-tri son and appreciate this fully, but at the same time I don't want to lose DC2.

Has anyone had anxiety about CVS or gotten a last minute NT scan?

[Yaya70]

Hi summerpixie, I'm sorry you've got this worry. It's strange that you've been given a high-ish result given your age, nuchal measurement, and lack of soft abnormalities on the scan. So it sounds like you raised risk is all in the bloods. For Down's syndrome they expect the PAPP-A to be low and the HCG to be high, but without the MoM values it's difficult to interpret your bloods.

Having had a scan and CVS at the FMC, I would highly recommend them. My advice would be to go there on Wednesday (that's the only day the professor is there) and get a second opinion. They look at so many more soft markers on the scan at the FMC (presence of nasal bone, tricuspid regurgitation, flow in the ductus venosus, etc). I know of many people who have been given much lower risks when all these markers are taken into account. After reassessing your risk, you can make a decision as to whether to have the CVS. If you do decide to go ahead with the CVS, you couldn't have it done at a better place than the FMC.

[Yaya70]

Forgot to add that if you do decide to have the CVS, they will do it there and then and you will have the main results by Friday.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.

[Sparklies]

Yaya said it all for me! Completely second everything said there. I went for a "second opinion" scan at the FMC too (1 in 34 in my case) and it was very reassuring the amount of detail they go into.

CVS done there does obviously cost, but you're getting one of the best places in the country if not the world to do it which makes a big difference.

In your shoes, especially if I was sure I needed to know via invasive testing, I would be tempted to just go straight to the FMC and not keep the appointment on Monday.

It's odd you think your bHCG is low because usually high bHCG is the marker for T21. Maybe your PAPP-A is just crazy low. But with low bHCG and PAPP-A you should also screen positive for other trisomies too. Real shame they didn't give you the MoM values.

Hope all turns out well!

[summerpixie]

Thanks for your replies Yaya & Sparklies.
This weekend has been the longest ever and every minute today seems to last a hour. I am going to ask them for a detailed scan today at QCCH before they proceed with the CVS. I figured that if I have the CVS today I will get the results, hopefully, on Weds. This will give me an answer 2 days ahead of if I went to FMC.
I've also been feeling nauseous this weekend. Not sure if this is MS or nerves. The next few days will be a nightmare of a drag. I will busy my time by marking the horrible pieces of coursework I have been putting of for weeks!
I hope the amnio goes well for you Sparklies. X

[summerpixie]

Well I'm home now after a long wait at the hospital. We arrived early having read about the poor parking. I think I have seen more medics today than in the total of my last pregnancy!

So, the procedure for those who are interested:
A Dr took us into her office to talk about risks consent and research.
Then a counsellor took us in to talk about the research and to fill in forms consenting to research.
Midwife took us for blood samples for research.
Sat and waited for an eternity.
Consultant took us into the scan room and checked for the placenta and fetus whilst midwife and student MW chucked pieces of equipment onto the trolley.
Consultant chucked a load of antiseptic all over my abdomen which dripped over the back of my trousers, which he had warned me to pull down further.
Then I blubbed. I was scared and anxious. DH told me it was all OK and watched the screen throughout.
Consultant prodded me a few times with local anasthetic and then asked if I was OK to go through with the test.
I cried and said: Just do it. I wanted it done ASAP instead of prolonging it.
He warned me when the needle was about to enter the womb and told me it would be the most unconfortable part and it was a bit. It felt like a pencil being poked on top of my belly and pulled in and out a few times. And then without actually telling me he had pulled the needle out the consultant told me it was over.

So, how do I feel now.... It feels a little crampy but I'm not totally sure as I think (TMI) I need a Number 2 and keep gassing off. I'm dreading the next few days of wait more than the slight bloating pain I am feeling.

So fingers crossed for good results on Weds/Thurs!

[Sparklies]

Thanks for sharing your experience! I hope you get great results back later in the week :)

[NatzCNL]

Just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and hoping for the best outcome. The wait is awful and time goes by so slowly, am just hoping they rush these results through for you xx

[PrincessScrumpy]

I know I'm on the other thread but I wanted to say I have been thinking of you this week. Sending a big hug xxxx

[summerpixie]

First chance I've had to log on here as I've been at work. I called up at 8:30 on the dot and I got a reply of 'all clear'. They didn't request a full karyotype so I'll not be getting any more results. So relieved to know at last. I suspect the dr's at QCCH thought it would be clear due to soft markers and only a low Papp a (0.17) bringing my odds up. Anyway, I'll now be monitored for IUGR due to low Papp a after my 20 week scan. QCCH asked me if I'd be interested in their research into this but this was on Monday so i think I'll have call them up again to get more details.
Great news on the board this week and thanks to those who have given me support! X

[PrincessScrumpy]

Good news summerpixie, now relax and enjoy being pg!

[Sparklies]

That's wonderful news, hurray!!!! It has been a good week here!

My PAPP-A was 0.2MoM. I spoke to Prof Nicolaides about it at the Fetal Medicine Centre (he has plenty of research papers on the subject!) and he told me I had about a 1 in 20 chance of there being a growth issue, but in my case as I make big babies it's more likely I'd just make a normal size baby. I couldn't tell if he was joking or not! Anyway, this baby is measuring 10 days ahead at 30 weeks and dopplers all check out, so nobody is concerned :)

Another friend was told a 1 in 5 chance by doctors at Kings College (she had 0.23MoM) and she did have IUGR and I think pre-eclampsia too - although it was post birth which was odd. Her little one is absolutely thriving now and just turned a year.

Very glad the wait is over for you and all is well!

[NatzCNL]

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