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Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or CVS pregnancy test is a type of test that is applicable for pregnant women. This CVS pregnancy test checks chorionic villi, small finger-like growths commonly present in the placenta. The placenta is the organ that nurtures an unborn baby in the uterus. The CVS test evaluates for irregularities in the baby’s chromosomes. Chromosomes are imperative parts of your cells that contain your genes.
Chorionic villi possess the same chromosomes as an unborn baby. A CVS test reveals whether your unborn child has an extra chromosome or a missing or injured chromosome. These chromosome differences may lead to some severe health problems.
CVS is a prenatal diagnostic test that will certainly portray whether an unborn baby has a chromosome disorder or not. This is not the same as a prenatal screening test that primarily reveals whether a baby has an enhanced risk of a serious health problem.
The cost of the CVS pregnancy test is approximately Rs.50000 depending on your location and place. Some insurance policies may cover the cost.
Please check the price of the CVS pregnancy test in Delhi/NCR, your nearby centers and other details.
Summary of CVS Testing
| Also known as | CVS test |
| Test Type | Abdomen, cervix |
| CVS pregnancy test includes | To check whether your unborn baby has some chromosomal disorders or not |
| Preparation | You may need to drink extra fluids and not urinate before the test |
| Reporting | Within 2 weeks |
| Test price | The cost of the CVS pregnancy test is approximately Rs.50000 depending on your location and place. Some insurance policies may cover the cost. |
| Also included in | Health Insurance Plans |
| Related tests | Amniocentesis |
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Purpose of the CVS Pregnancy Test
The core purpose of the test is to diagnose chromosome problems or other genetic diseases in an unborn baby. These disorders could be, Â
Down Syndrome: A disorder that is responsible for intellectual disabilities, certain physical features, and multifarious health issues
Cystic Fibrosis: A disease that produces an accumulation of mucus in the lungs and other organs. Thus, it would be difficult for you to breathe
Sickle Cell Disease: A disorder of the red blood cells that produce pain, infections, organ damage, and strokes.
Tay-Sachs Disease: A disorder where fatty proteins get accumulated in the brain. It disturbs sight, hearing, and mental development. Most children with Tay-Sachs usually pass away within 5 years.
CVS testing is very much accurate and is recommended in pregnancy, between the 10th and 13th week. But this test evaluates only certain genetic diseases. This test is not applicable for birth defects such as neural tube defects (healthcare conditions where there is abnormal development of a developing baby’s brain and/or spine). An alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) blood test is recommended to diagnose these types of birth defects.
Why Do You Need CVS Testing?
Your doctor may suggest this test if you have certain risk factors, abnormalities detected on early ultrasounds or abnormal genetic (vs blood) screening. This test is useful in detecting genetic conditions during early pregnancy. Your healthcare professional will recommend this CVS testing if you
- Already have a child with a known genetic condition
- Are above 35 years, the risk of having a baby with a genetic problem enhances with the mother’s age
- Earlier did a screening or test where it is mentioned that your risk of having a child with a genetic condition is much higher than a normal person. Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is recommended at 10 to 13 weeks to check for the baby’s DNA in the mother’s blood.
- Either you or your partner has a family history of a genetic condition
Preparation for the CVS Pregnancy Test
On the morning before the test, you may need not drink extra fluids and urinate. Thus, your bladder will remain full and your uterus can be moved into a better position for the procedure.
Procedure of CVS Test
There are two types of CVS tests
Transabdominal: The sample is taken through the abdomen.
Transcervical: The sample is taken through the cervix.
By doing an ultrasound, your doctor may check your baby’s position and guide the procedure (transabdominal or transcervical). Ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to produce pictures.
During a Transabdominal CVS
- A healthcare staff will clean your abdomen with an antiseptic.
- Then, he/she may use numbing medicine on your abdomen.
- A long and thin needle will be inserted into your abdomen, uterus and placenta. You may feel pain or stinging sensation when the needle passes the uterus
- By using this needle, a tissue sample will be collected from the placenta
- Remove the needle
During a Transcervical CVS
- A healthcare expert will clean your vagina and cervix with an antiseptic
- By using an instrument (called a speculum), the person will spread apart the sides of your vagina
- A thin tube will be inserted into your vagina, cervix and placenta. You may feel a tingling sensation at this point.
- The tube will be used delicately to suck the sample tissue from the placenta.
- Remove the tube
The Interpretation of CVS Pregnancy Test Results
You may get the results within two weeks.
If your results are not normal, this indicates your baby has a chromosome or genetic disorder, such as Down syndrome or cystic fibrosis. If the results are absurd, your doctor may recommend amniocentesis that you need to perform between the 15th and 20th week of pregnancy.
