4/2/2018 Chorionic villus sampling - About - Mayo Clinic

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Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a prenatal

test in which a sample of chorionic villi is
removed from the placenta for testing. The
sample can be taken through the cervix
(transcervical) or the abdominal wall
(transabdominal).
Chorionic villus
During pregnancy, the placenta provides sampling
oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby and
removes waste products from the baby's blood.
The chorionic villi are wispy projections of placental tissue that share the
baby's genetic makeup.

Chorionic villus sampling is usually done between weeks 10 and 13 of

pregnancy — earlier than other prenatal diagnostic tests, such as
amniocentesis. Chorionic villus sampling can reveal whether a baby has a
chromosomal condition, such as Down syndrome. Chorionic villus sampling
can also be used to test for other genetic conditions, such as cystic fibrosis.

Although chorionic villus sampling can provide valuable information about

your baby's health, it's important to understand the risks — and be
prepared for the results.

Why it's done

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Chorionic villus sampling can provide information about your baby's genetic for-profit mission.

makeup. Generally, chorionic villus sampling is offered when the test Advertising & Sponsorship
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results might have a significant impact on the management of the
pregnancy or your desire to continue the pregnancy.
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results of a screening test — such as the first trimester screen or The Mayo Clinic Diet Online
prenatal cell-free DNA screening — are positive or worrisome, you
might opt for chorionic villus sampling to confirm or rule out a
diagnosis.

You had a chromosomal condition in a previous pregnancy. If a

previous pregnancy was affected by Down syndrome or another
chromosomal condition, this pregnancy is at higher risk, too.

You're 35 or older. Babies born to women 35 and older have a higher

risk of chromosomal conditions, such as Down syndrome.

You have a family history of a specific genetic condition, or you

or your partner is a known carrier of a genetic condition. In
addition to identifying Down syndrome, chorionic villus sampling can
be used to diagnose many other genetic conditions — including single
gene disorders such as Tay-Sachs and cystic fibrosis.

Chorionic villus sampling can't detect certain birth defects, such as neural
tube defects. If neural tube defects are a concern, an ultrasound or genetic
amniocentesis might be recommended instead.

Your health care provider might caution against transcervical chorionic

villus sampling — which is done through the vagina — if you have:

An active cervical or vaginal infection, such as herpes

Vaginal bleeding or spotting in the previous two weeks

An inaccessible placenta, due to a tilted uterus or noncancerous

growths in the lower part of your uterus (uterine fibroids)

Rarely, your health care provider might caution against transabdominal

chorionic villus sampling — which is done through the abdominal wall — if:

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Your uterus is titled backward and your placenta is located at the back
of your uterus

Rhesus (Rh) factor — an inherited trait that refers to a specific protein

found on the surface of red blood cells — matters, too. Your health care
provider might caution against both types of chorionic villus sampling if
you're Rh negative, your baby is Rh positive and your body has already
begun to produce Rh antibodies. Bleeding caused by the procedure could
increase your antibody response and cause pregnancy complications.

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Risks
Chorionic villus sampling carries various risks, including:

Miscarriage. The risk of miscarriage after chorionic villus sampling is

about the same as that associated with transabdominal second-
trimester amniocentesis — around .7 percent. The risk of miscarriage
might increase if the baby is smaller than normal for his or her
gestational age.

Rh sensitization. Chorionic villus sampling might cause some of the

baby's blood cells to enter your bloodstream. If you have Rh negative
blood and you haven't developed antibodies to Rh positive blood,
you'll be given an injection of a blood product called Rh immune
globulin after chorionic villus sampling. This will prevent your body
from producing Rh antibodies that can cross the placenta and damage
the baby's red blood cells. A blood test can detect if you've begun to
produce antibodies.

Infection. Very rarely, chorionic villus sampling might trigger a uterine

infection.

Some older studies suggested that chorionic villus sampling might cause
defects in a baby's fingers or toes. However, the risk appears to be a
concern only if the procedure is done before week 10 of pregnancy.

Remember, chorionic villus sampling is typically offered when the test

results might have a significant impact on the management of the
pregnancy. Ultimately, the decision to have chorionic villus sampling is up
to you. Your health care provider or genetic counselor can help you weigh
all the factors in the decision.

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How you prepare

You might need to have a full bladder for chorionic villus sampling, so drink
plenty of fluids before your appointment.

Your health care provider will explain the procedure and ask you to sign a
consent form before the procedure begins. Consider asking someone to
accompany you to the appointment for emotional support or to drive you
home afterward.

What you can expect

Chorionic villus sampling is usually done in an outpatient facility or the
health care provider's office.

During the procedure

First, your health care provider will use ultrasound to determine your baby's
gestational age and the position of the placenta. You'll lie on your back on
an exam table and lift your shirt to expose your abdomen. Your health care
provider will apply a special gel to your abdomen, and then use a small
device known as an ultrasound transducer to show your baby's position on
a monitor.

Next, your health care provider will use the ultrasound image as a guide
and take the tissue sample from the placenta while you lie still. This can be
done through your cervix (transcervical) or your abdominal wall
(transabdominal).

Transabdominal chorionic villus sampling. After cleansing your

abdomen with an antiseptic, your health care provider will insert a
long, thin needle through your abdominal wall and into your uterus.
You might notice a stinging sensation when the needle enters your
skin, and you might feel cramping when the needle enters your uterus.
The tissue sample from the placenta will be withdrawn into a syringe,
and the needle will be removed.

Transcervical chorionic villus sampling. After cleansing your

vagina and cervix with an antiseptic, your health care provider will
open your vagina with a speculum and insert a thin, hollow tube
through your cervix. When the catheter reaches the placenta, gentle
suction will be used to remove a small tissue sample. You might feel
cramping while the tissue sample is removed.

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If your health care provider isn't able to remove an adequate amount of

tissue on the first try, the procedure might need to be repeated.

After the procedure

After the tissue sample is removed, your health care provider will monitor
your baby's heart rate. You might experience a small amount of vaginal
bleeding immediately after the procedure. Your health care provider might
schedule an ultrasound a couple of days after chorionic villus sampling to
check on your baby.

You can resume your normal activity level after the procedure. However,
you might consider avoiding strenuous exercise and sexual activity for a
day.

Meanwhile, the tissue sample will be analyzed in a lab. Results might take
a few days or a couple of weeks, depending on the complexity of the lab
analysis.

Contact your health care provider if you have:

Fluid leaking from your vagina

Heavy bleeding

A fever

Uterine contractions

Results
Your health care provider or a genetic counselor will help you understand
your chorionic villus sampling results. Occasionally, test results are unclear
and amniocentesis — another prenatal diagnostic test — is needed to
clarify the diagnosis.

With chorionic villus sampling, there's a rare chance of a false-positive test

— when the test is positive, but no disease exists. It's also important to
remember that chorionic villus sampling can't identify all birth defects,
including spina bifida and other neural tube defects.

If chorionic villus sampling indicates that your baby has a chromosomal or

genetic condition that can't be treated, you might be faced with wrenching
decisions — such as whether to continue the pregnancy. Seek support
from your health care team and your loved ones during this difficult time.

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as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this disease.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

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References Share on: Facebook Twitter Oct. 17, 2015

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