Hi everyone- and thank you all in advance for you responses!! I am so new to all of this. After 7 Ivf's i am pregnant with triplets-10 weeks and 4 days- I went to the peri today to have a Nuchal Luceny(not sure about the spelling)- anyway a little to small to do so I go back again Monday- The doc did bring up the CVS test (I am 34 and will be just 35 around the time of the babies arrival) I chickened out today - but am now having second thoughts- we want these children so badly but are so afraid. I am afraid the test may cause miscarriage- but on the other hand I want happy healthy children- help has anyone had this test-how did you make your decision? Thanks again-Jenna::)

Hi! My DH and I were offered a slew of tests as a result of our first visit also - I am 39, soon to be 40. I don't really recall what the CVS looked for however, I do know we opted out of all the tests because we knew we had no serious genetic disorders on either side of the family (that the tests could detect) and as for Downs Syndrome, if the test came back positive we would not know which baby was effected and didn't want to risk losing the pregnancy. We decided to wait for the level II ultrasould results which are also a good indicator for abnormalities associated with Downs Syndrome. I had my level II at 20 weeks. I know some women get them earlier.

Anyway, before committing to a test you may want to ask your doctor what can and can not be 'red flaged' via ultrasound. Hope this helps a little bit. My husband and I also made a pact with each other that our opinions on all decisions were the most important and not to get caught up in family/friend advice.

JenK

I did have the test done around 11 weeks. I did it mostly for peace of mind and to prepare myself of there were to be anything to be concerned about. I was 39, and a little concerned just because it was our first and only pregnancy after trying for many years. I knew I would not be able to terminate, but wanted to know what to expect. We were able to find out the sexes and that there were no genetic abnormalities. As for the test itself, They did 2 through the belly, much like an amnio, which was uncomfortable, but not really painful. The third they had to do through the cervix, which was extremely uncomfortable for me. If I had it to do over again, I think I would have skipped the test. Unless you would consider terminating if there was something genetically wrong, I'd say wait.

Tanya
Erica,DJ(David)and Halley
4/07/02 32 weeks, 6 days

I personally would not do the test- b/c as you said, any procedure could put you at risk for miscarrying the babies you worked so hard to conceive! For my husband and I though, termination or reduction of any kind was not an option so it didn't matter what any test would have said. They actually did have reason to suspect that one of our babies may have had Downs Syndrome and though I am sure there are major challenges that come along with that, we just wanted them all to be with us, however God made them. As it turns out, he did not have Downs. However,we have friends whose son has Downs and he is the happiest, most easy going, wonderful child to be around. One of our boys has missing fingers and toes due to a genetic abnormality and is also a happy healthy child. Because of his position in utero, these abnormalities were not discovered until birth and they are purely physical. However, these characteristics are often associated with other disorders, which our son is fotunate not to have. Where I am going is, had they seen this in utero, we would not have known the extent of anything- but definitely not done anything about it. He is a joy. God makes us the way he makes us and to my husband and I we just left the whole thing to Him. We think one of the blessings of his condition will be that all of our children should be more sensitive human beings b/c of this. Anyway.. just my opinion- but I wouldn't take an unecessary risk. I guess you'll have to talk to the Dr again and weigh the risks vs benefits for you personally. Good luck to you

Amy
Mom to:
G 00
B 01
BBB 02

Even though I was 40 when pregnant, I chose not to do any testing other than ultrasounds, such as the nuchal exams. I would not have terminated any of the babies, so any test results would have been somewhat pointless (other than preparing us for the arrival of a baby with problems). Since ultrasound is so very accurate these days, most serious or life-threatening disorders are usually picked up.

Having gone through years of infertility lleh, I just couldn't even bring myself to consider any kind of testing that had a risk of miscarriage.

Best of luck to you, and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

Tulip & The Three Amigos
Born at 35w5d on December 31, 2002 - Happy New Year's Eve!!!
Aimee, Let's bump heads!
Edward, Rollin' Rollin' Rollin', Got to keep on rollin'!
Hope, Bouncy! Bouncy! Bouncy! WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

YES! You *can* breastfeed triplets!!!
http://www.tripletconnection.org/dcforum/forum1/14349.html

Tulip & The Three Amigos
GBG born at 35w5d on December 31, 2002 - Happy New Year's Eve!!!

YES! You *can* breastfeed triplets!!!

I am a Velveteen Rabbit, and the birth, love, kisses & magic that are my children has made me Real.

jenna- i did have the cvs done at johns hopkins- mostly for peace of mind because the genetic counselors stats were so scarey for moms my age- 40. my research revaealed that the key to a successful cvs is the success rate fothe doc who is actually doing the test and not the national average or whatever. in addition it is important to know how many cvs proceedures the doc does in a month or year or whatever mearsurable time you come up with. the more they do and the higher their success rate the better chance you will have of not having any problems. i had none. i had two babies testd via the abdominally and one throughthe cervix. the cervix one was absolutely painless. didn't feel a thing. the tummy ones were not great but i have had more painful dental work. it is apersonal decision. you are young though so i would probably opt not to do it unless you really suspected something. it was nice to complete my pregnancy knowing that there were genetic issues- i could just gestate and not worry. good luck with your decision. dr luke had a pretty good section in her book about cvs and other tests- read that. terri

terri
mom to ian,wes,amelia (09/02)
leslie 12 years
micaela 9 years

Hi Jenna,
First of all, Congratulations! I guess you just have to ask yourself a few questions: 1) If the test came back that there was a problem would you choose to terminate?----then it would be wise to get the CVS. 2) If you would not choose to terminate is it worth the risk? I know alot of singleton parents have had this test done for "peace of mind"--they did not want to terminate if there was a problem, but wanted to be prepared. I think you just have to weight the risks vs. the benefits of the test.
We chose not to have ANY time of the testing with both of our pregnancies, not even the AFP blood test. We knew we wouldn't "do" anything if there was a problem and to us knowing ahead of time would put more stress on us than if we didn't know. I did have NUMEROUS ultrasounds with the triplet pregnancy and nothing abnormal was ever noted. It turned out that we were blessed with a darling little girl with Downs (one of the triplets). We found out that she had a few signs of Downs about one hour after her birth and it was confirmed a few days later. It was kind of scary at first but, not to sound sappy, I would not want HER any other way! She has turned out to be the BEST thing to happen to our ENTIRE family (Aunts, Uncles,G'parents, cousins, etc) and feel that our lives are better because of her. She is the sweetest little darling and everyone who meets her falls head-over-heals in love with her.
I will try to attach her picture.
Good luck with your decision, just remember to do what is best for your situation. (((((HUGS)))))

Gina
SAHM to Spunky 7/10/94
Mojo 6/29/97
RinRin 6/29/97
Kakiecakes 6/29/97(DS)

trpsn1
SAHM to Spunky
Mojo
RinRin
Bugaboo
"I looked on child rearing not only as a work of love and duty but as a profession that was fully as interesting and challenging as any honorable profession in the world and one t

Attachment #1, (jpg file)

Jenna
Ask yourself what would you do with that information or any you get from the test. If you will do nothing, and continue with pregnancy and see what happens. Then don't do it. We never did any testing!

Danielle

Danielle
Easton, Blake & Hunter
1-24-99

Thank you all again for you honest responses- i guess I just needed to hear what other people have done in our situation. I find comfort hearing all of you input- Gina your daughter is just beautiful- I would love to see pics of all three!! I guess I have alot of thinking to do- Until next time thank you ladies so so much!!!

Jenna

Actually, the test can cause more than miscarriages, it's possible that it can cause limb malformations and/or absent digits in rare cases. This is what I found at the March of Dimes site: "In 1991, new safety concerns about CVS arose following several reports of babies born with missing or shortened fingers or toes, occasionally accompanied by abnormalities of the tongue and lower jaw. These birth defects were noted mainly when CVS was performed before the tenth week after the last menstrual period. It is now common practice to perform CVS only during the tenth or later weeks and to inform all women being offered CVS about the possible small risk of limb defects."

Cheers,
loveourtriplets

Mom to two-and-a-half year old gbg snugglebunnies

Cheers,
loveourtriplets

Mom to 7 year old GBG triplets and a 4 year old princess