Chorionic Villi Sampling

Chorionic Villus Sampling to Screen for Fetal Abnormalities

Do you have genetic concerns surrounding your pregnancy? Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a form of genetic prenatal testing that can help you determine chromosomal abnormalities or genetic disorders in the fetus.

CVS is usually performed between 10 to 14 weeks of the pregnancy, which is earlier than amniocentesis. It is the preferred technique for genetic prenatal testing that is done before 15 weeks.

Your doctor might recommend chorionic villi sampling if you are:

• At an advanced maternal age i.e. above 35 years
• Have abnormal first trimester screening results
• A family history of chromosomal abnormalities or genetic disorders
• Both parents are known carriers of genetic disorders

CVS helps doctors find genetic problems before amniocentesis; however, it does not test for neural tube defects such as Spina bifida. Also being a relatively new diagnostic test it is not offered everywhere.

South Florida Perinatal Medicine invests in the latest technology for genetic testing and screening to better serve pregnant women in the Miami, Miami Beach and Coral Springs area. Our perinatologists take the greatest care to ensure that the chorionic villus sampling services we offer meet the highest standards of quality healthcare.

Request an appointment for chorionic villus sampling today. South Florida Perinatal Medicine has many convenient locations to serve you.

Early Genetic Prenatal Testing Facilities by Experienced Perinatologists in Florida

Chorionic villus sampling offers early detection of common genetic fetal disorders like Down syndrome. You can take advantage of this new genetic prenatal testing procedure to help your healthcare team make the best decisions for your treatment.

Depending on the position of the placenta and fetus, the doctor uses one of two approaches to obtain the chorionic villi sample, either through the cervix (transcervical) or the abdomen (transabdominal). Most women say that having CVS is uncomfortable rather than painful. Some have even compared it to a cervical smear.

How does CVS testing work?

• Before the procedure, the doctor performs an ultrasound to determine the position of the placenta and fetus on a monitor, and the approach i.e. transcervical CVS or transabdominal CVS.
• A small piece of the chorionic villi is removed from the placenta either through a needle inserted into the lower abdomen similar to amniocentesis or through a very thin tube inserted into the cervix.
• This sample is then sent to the laboratory for an analysis of certain birth defects and genetic disorders.
• An ultrasound is used to guide the procedure.

The experienced perinatologists at South Florida Perinatal Medicine are committed to providing the highest standard of healthcare to pregnant women and their children. We do our best to ensure that every pregnancy results in a positive outcome.

Call South Florida Perinatal Medicine t to schedule an appointment for chorionic villus sampling at a location near to you.

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