What Is CVS Testing?
CVS testing, or chorionic villus sampling, is a prenatal test performed on a pregnant woman 10 to 13 weeks after her last menstrual cycle. CVS testing is used to determine whether a fetus has a birth defect caused by a congenital disorder or chromosomal aberration. Couples who may be at risk for passing on potential defects to their children should speak to their health care provider to determine if CVS testing is appropriate.
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Types
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CVS testing is performed in two different methods. The most common type of CVS testing is called transcervical CVS testing. During this procedure, a medical professional inserts a slender catheter into the placenta through the cervical opening and then collects the chorionic villus cells from the placenta. This is done with the assistance of an ultrasound, which guides the person performing the test. The other type of CVS testing is transabdominal, which requires a needle to pierce the pregnant mother’s abdomen into her placenta. The needle is used to draw and remove the chorionic villus cells from the placenta.
Benefits
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CVS testing is beneficial in identifying chromosomal abnormalities or genetic disorders early in a pregnancy. Doing so allows a couple to make decisions about how to best care for the fetus or whether to carry their fetus to full term. The advance knowledge can help parents better prepare themselves for parenting a child with a disorder or special need, including medical care, lifestyle changes and financial issues.
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Warning
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The American Pregnancy Association reports that 1 percent of mothers who undergo CVS testing miscarry their fetus. Although this is a statistically small percentage, CVS testing is not without possible side effects. Transabdominal CVS testing should not be performed on women who have bled vaginally during their pregnancy, are pregnant with multiple babies or who have an infection. Transcervical CVS testing should not be conducted on women who have issues with their uterus, including fibroids or a tilted uterus.
Considerations
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Due to the slight risk of miscarriage associated with CVS testing, it is not recommended for all pregnant women. Those who should consider it include women who received early prenatal ultrasound or blood testing that showed an elevated risk of a disorder; mothers who are over 35 years old and are at greater risk of carrying a child with chromosomal abnormalities; women who have previously given birth to a child with a birth defect; and those parents who have a family history of genetic disorders.
Significance
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A CVS test is used to detect chromosomal issues, such as Down syndrome, as well as inherited conditions, such as cystic fibrosis. Those who wish to determine the paternity of a fetus may choose to undergo CVS testing, which is 99 percent accurate reporting paternity, according to the American Pregnancy Association. DNA collected from the cells taken from the placenta during a CVS test can be compared to the DNA of the possible father.
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