Pain Management
Discover how Main Line Health experts serve Philadelphia by treating a wide range of conditions, including back, neck and oncology-related pain.
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a test that can be performed in the first trimester of pregnancy, usually between weeks 10 and 12, to determine chromosomal defects, such as Down syndrome, and congenital deformities such as spina bifida, in the developing fetus. The tissue sampling comes from the placenta where the cells are genetically the same as those of the fetus.
CVS may be offered by your doctor or you can ask about it, especially if there are certain risk factors that could make inherited disorders (e.g., sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs disease) and defects more likely, such as:
CVS testing is not given to all pregnant women as there is a one percent chance of miscarriage after the test. The procedure does not diagnose neural tube defects.
This type of test requires careful consideration and thoughtful discussion with your doctor and genetic counselor as well as your partner. The test poses a slight risk to your unborn child and also requires you to be ready for the results. Having CVS testing can help you better prepare for the birth and care of your child, but it can also bring up new questions and concerns for you and your partner to explore.
There are two methods of testing:
Transcervical is the more common method, but certain factors can determine which approach is best for you and your baby. If you have had recent vaginal bleeding, for example, or an infection (such as herpes), or if your placenta is inaccessible due to uterine fibroids or a tilted uterus, your doctor may prefer the transabdominal approach.
The entire process takes about 30 to 45 minutes. It is not painful though it may be uncomfortable during and after. You may experience symptoms such as cramping or spotting.
It generally takes about seven days to get the results back from the test. In most cases, the results show that everything is normal and your baby has no congenital defects or disorders. If your baby is diagnosed with a congenital abnormality, your doctor will thoroughly explain the results and help you understand your options. In some cases, your baby’s condition can be treated with medication, or with in-utero or postpartum surgery.
Discover how Main Line Health experts serve Philadelphia by treating a wide range of conditions, including back, neck and oncology-related pain.
Orthopaedic doctors at Main Line Health treat simple to complex sports and accident-related injuries as well as the painful effects of many conditions that limit your mobility and cause pain. Find an orthopaedic surgeon near me.
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Palliative care at Main Line Health is a service offered to seriously ill hospitalized patients. At the request of the patient's physician, the palliative care team recommends pain and symptom management.