Chorionic Villus Sampling (cont.)
Who should be tested?
According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a doctor organization, testing should be offered to:
- Pregnant women who will be 35 or older on their due date (the risk of having a baby with a chromosomal problem such as Down syndrome increases with the age of the woman).
- Couples who already have had a child with a birth defect or have a family history of certain birth defects.
- Pregnant women with other abnormal genetic test results.
Your health care provider can advise you on whether this test is right for you. In the end, only you and your partner can decide whether or not you should have this test.
How is the test performed?
Before undergoing a CVS, appropriate genetic counseling, including a detailed discussion regarding the risks and benefits of the procedure, are recommended.
At the time of initial consultation and counseling, an ultrasound exam will be performed to confirm gestational age (the development stage of the embryo) and the location of the placenta. This is done so that CVS can be performed at the appropriate gestational age (which is usually 10 to 12 weeks from the woman's last menstrual period).
There are two ways to collect chorionic villi from the placenta: through the vagina or through the abdomen.
To collect cells through the vagina, a speculum is inserted (in the same way as a Pap test). Then a very thin, plastic tube is inserted up the vagina and into the cervix. With ultrasound, the tube is guided up to the placenta, where a small sample is removed.
To collect cells through the abdomen, a slender needle is inserted through the woman's abdomen to the placenta, much like in amniocentesis.
The sample of chorionic villi is then sent to a lab where the cells are grown in a special fluid and tested a few days later. Culture results will be available within 7-10 days. Your doctor will directly notify you of the results.
Next: Will The CVS Test Hurt? »
- Ultrasound - Learn an ultrasound procedure, and conditions and diseases it assists in diagnosing and screening like tumors, cysts, heart conditions and more.
- Down Syndrome - Learn about Down syndrome, the most common cause of mental retardation. Diagnostic tests for Down syndrome include amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling, and percutaneous umbilical cord sampling.
- Apgar Score - Read how an Apgar score is calculated, when it's determined, and what the score means for the neonate. The tool assesses a newborn's appearance, reflexes,
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