Some people breeze through their pregnancies without an incident. I am not one of those mummies. I had quite a few hiccups in both my pregnancies. I went through CVS testing during my second pregnancy. Here is my experience.
I was super excited about my second baby. Even though I had a bad pregnancy experience the first time, I was looking forward to having another baby in the house. I went through all the routine tests that are done in the first trimester of the pregnancy. I opted to go for the Down Syndrome test as well.
The test consisted of 2 parts. the first was an ultrasound for soft markers of Down Syndrome and other related conditions. The second was a blood chemistry test.
I went through the ultrasound and got the report instantly. The baby had 1 in 247 chance of having a condition called Trisomy 13. The counsellor told me not to worry as the blood test results were still pending and the final results may look much better after that. She also told me that another test will be offered only is the ratio was less than 1:300.
Although I was very shocked, I was still hopeful that the blood test result would be fine. The very next day, I got a call from the hospital that my results did not look so good. My final chances for 'Trisomy 13' were 1 in 65. The person also told me that if the baby does have the condition, it may not survive the complete pregnancy and even then, it may die within a few hours/days of birth. She offered me to have a CVS test immediately or wait for amniocentesis. I decided to go for the CVS test.
I was in office when the call came and after the call I rushed to the restroom to cry my heart out. I think I cried continuously for the next 2 days. CVS testing involves withdrawal of placental tissue for further testing, via a needle. I was worried about the small chance of miscarriage risk that the procedure carries. I was worried about the possibility of testing positive for Trisomy 13. I was extremely worried about the procedure itself.
On the day if the procedure, I went with my husband to the hospital's counsellor first. She was very positive and tried her best to alleviate my fears. She explained to us that the testing was done by very experienced professionals and there was hardly any chance of a miscarriage. She also said that although the final numbers looked daunting (1:65), the ultrasound result was not so bad.
My number was called and in I went with a book in my hand. My husband was not allowed to come in. As the doctor prepped me for the procedure, I kept on reading the book to divert my mind. (Also to block my view from all the needles going in). I was extremely terrified. The doctor first injected me with an anesthetic. The injection was painful, so I removed my book to look at the doc. He was very nice and he told me to keep reading my book. He also asked me not to move.
A few seconds later, I "heard" a pumping sound and I kept absolutely still. And then the doctor told me that it was over! I was so relieved. The whole procedure took only a few minutes!
I went out and found that the husband had disappeared. As I sat waiting for him, I felt a deep abdominal pain, but the doctor had told me that it was normal to experience such a pain. Husband returned and asked me when was the procedure going to start! He was really surprised to know that it was over!
I was given 2 days medical leave and a set of instructions. I don't remember much now, but I think it involved getting back to the hospital if I had strong contractions or bleeding.
I went back home and rested for the next 2 days. The abdominal pain stopped after a few hours and I kept a hawk-eye for any bleeding (which thankfully, did not happen).
Then came the waiting. The nurse informed us that it would take 3 weeks for the result. If there was bad news, we would get a call immediately. If the news was good, then we will not receive a call at all.
For the next three weeks, I was on tenter-hooks. Anytime, I received a call from an unknown number, I had a mini heart-attack. I don't know, how I scraped through those three weeks of waiting. It was the worst part of the whole procedure.
Finally, in my next appointment, my doctor gave us the happy news that our baby was fine and safe. We also got to know that we were having a baby girl!
And so the story had a happy ending!
I was super excited about my second baby. Even though I had a bad pregnancy experience the first time, I was looking forward to having another baby in the house. I went through all the routine tests that are done in the first trimester of the pregnancy. I opted to go for the Down Syndrome test as well.
The test consisted of 2 parts. the first was an ultrasound for soft markers of Down Syndrome and other related conditions. The second was a blood chemistry test.
I went through the ultrasound and got the report instantly. The baby had 1 in 247 chance of having a condition called Trisomy 13. The counsellor told me not to worry as the blood test results were still pending and the final results may look much better after that. She also told me that another test will be offered only is the ratio was less than 1:300.
Although I was very shocked, I was still hopeful that the blood test result would be fine. The very next day, I got a call from the hospital that my results did not look so good. My final chances for 'Trisomy 13' were 1 in 65. The person also told me that if the baby does have the condition, it may not survive the complete pregnancy and even then, it may die within a few hours/days of birth. She offered me to have a CVS test immediately or wait for amniocentesis. I decided to go for the CVS test.
I was in office when the call came and after the call I rushed to the restroom to cry my heart out. I think I cried continuously for the next 2 days. CVS testing involves withdrawal of placental tissue for further testing, via a needle. I was worried about the small chance of miscarriage risk that the procedure carries. I was worried about the possibility of testing positive for Trisomy 13. I was extremely worried about the procedure itself.
On the day if the procedure, I went with my husband to the hospital's counsellor first. She was very positive and tried her best to alleviate my fears. She explained to us that the testing was done by very experienced professionals and there was hardly any chance of a miscarriage. She also said that although the final numbers looked daunting (1:65), the ultrasound result was not so bad.
My number was called and in I went with a book in my hand. My husband was not allowed to come in. As the doctor prepped me for the procedure, I kept on reading the book to divert my mind. (Also to block my view from all the needles going in). I was extremely terrified. The doctor first injected me with an anesthetic. The injection was painful, so I removed my book to look at the doc. He was very nice and he told me to keep reading my book. He also asked me not to move.
A few seconds later, I "heard" a pumping sound and I kept absolutely still. And then the doctor told me that it was over! I was so relieved. The whole procedure took only a few minutes!
I went out and found that the husband had disappeared. As I sat waiting for him, I felt a deep abdominal pain, but the doctor had told me that it was normal to experience such a pain. Husband returned and asked me when was the procedure going to start! He was really surprised to know that it was over!
I was given 2 days medical leave and a set of instructions. I don't remember much now, but I think it involved getting back to the hospital if I had strong contractions or bleeding.
I went back home and rested for the next 2 days. The abdominal pain stopped after a few hours and I kept a hawk-eye for any bleeding (which thankfully, did not happen).
Then came the waiting. The nurse informed us that it would take 3 weeks for the result. If there was bad news, we would get a call immediately. If the news was good, then we will not receive a call at all.
For the next three weeks, I was on tenter-hooks. Anytime, I received a call from an unknown number, I had a mini heart-attack. I don't know, how I scraped through those three weeks of waiting. It was the worst part of the whole procedure.
Finally, in my next appointment, my doctor gave us the happy news that our baby was fine and safe. We also got to know that we were having a baby girl!
And so the story had a happy ending!
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