Chorionic villus sampling vs amniocentesis?

[ladywolff]

I think I've mentioned this before somewhere, but I am a carrier for severe haemophilia A, which basically means that any sons I have have a 50% chance of having it. I was offered to have either chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis, which I've decided to have, but I've been told I need to pick which one I want by my next appointment, and I can't decide. Both have a 1% of causing miscarriage, and both carry a risk of rhesus sensitisation because I'm Rh-. So, I was wondering if anybody had had either test, and what is was like? 

[richaroodo]

I had an amniocentesis with DS2 after DD was born with a chromosomal abnormality. The anticipation and build up to the appointment was worse than the procedure itself. It took all of 2 minutes. The needle looked terrifying but it was no worse than getting a shot. After I had minor cramping for a few hours but that was all and we received the results in a couple days.

[steveo]

I had a transabdominal CVS with DS2 -- similar to an amnio as I understand it, except there was some weird jiggling of the needle while the doctor tried to extract the placenta sample.

You can also have a transcervical CVS depending on the placement of the placenta. No experience there.

For me, the biggest benefit of the CVS is that you can have it very early in your pregnancy. We had a serious risk (like 1/2) of conditions that were incompatible with life for DS2 (Trisomy 13 or 18) -- knowing that information at 11 weeks instead of 16 weeks was very important to me. If you are just doing the testing for pregnancy / birth management, the timing may not matter so much for you.

The other thing to know is that the risk from a CVS is related to the experience of the practitioner, much more than an amnio. So I would be asking questions about the CVS complication rate for your particular medical facility, rather than relying on the published risks -- I think they can vary significantly.

Good luck. I will be scheduling our CVS at my first OB appointment for around 10 - 11 weeks, and will be happy to share my experience this time after the fact...

[steveo]

One other thing -- I don't know if you have any specific concerns about neural tube defects since it looks like they are looking for a specific defect related to hemophilia, but CVS cannot detect neural tube defects, only amnio or high resolution ultrasound can...

[feisty]

I had an amnio with DS due to high risk for DS. the procedure wasn't bad at all, but I did have some painful cramps etc for a while afterwards.

CVS can be done much earlier, I don't think there is significant difference in risk numbers?