Universitäts-Frauenklinik Essen

Chorionic Villus Sampling and Amniocentesis Chorionic Villus Sampling and Amniocentesis

Answers to your questions Chorionic Villus Sampling

What is Chorionic Villus Sampling?

A piece of placenta would be sampled in order to check for chromosomal abnormalities like Trisomy 21 (Down’s Syn- drome), Trisomy 18 (Edward’s Syndrome) and Trisomy 13 (Patau Syndrome).

Since the cells of the placenta and the baby are formed of the same cells, it is possible to examine the placental cells in order to check for the chromosomes of the baby.

When can Chorionic Villus Sampling performed?

It is possible to perform it from 11. weeks of pregnancy. There is a risk of anomalies in the extremities of the babies if it’s performed before 11 weeks.

How is Chorionic Villus Sampling performed?

First of all, the position of the placenta and the fetus are checked per ultrasound. After deciding for the point of the biopsy, a local anaesthetic is applied to this area with a small needle. Then a thin needle is used to pass through the tummy of the mother to reach the womb and the placenta.

A piece of placenta is taken through this needle. The position of the needle is being checked per ultrasound throughout the procedure. The fetal heart rate is checked after the procedure. The procedure takes about 5 minutes.

What should be paid in attention to after the procedure?

You can rest in our quite room for about 30 minutes after the procedure. It is possible to have abdominal discomfort and menstruation-like symptoms. A light bleeding is possible, too. It is expected to have these symptoms getting better or disappear in couple of hours or days. If you should have heavy bleeding, strong abdominal pain or fever, please con- tact your gynaecologist or us.

How fast do I get the results?

The first results can be given in 1 to 2 days. The final result is given in 2 to 3 weeks. Please ask your doctor about how you would like to be informed about your results.

Are there any complications which can occur during this procedure?

There is a 1% risk of miscarriage when a chorionic villus sam- pling is performed. In that case, please contact your gynaeco- logist or us.

Amniocentesis

What is Amniocentesis?

Some amniotic fluid is taken in order to check for chromo- somal abnormalities like Trisomy 21 (Down’s Syndrome), Trisomy 18 (Edward’s Syndrome) and Trisomy 13 (Patau Syndrome) or some special genetic disorders.

The amniotic fluid contains fetal cells which can be examined.

When can Amniocentesis be performed?

It is possible to perform it from 16 weeks of pregnancy.

How is Amniocentesis performed?

First of all, the position of the placenta and the fetus are checked per ultrasound. After deciding for the point of the biopsy, a thin needle is used to pass through the tummy of the mother to reach the amniotic cavity. Some amniotic fluid is taken through this needle. The position of the needle is being checked per ultrasound throughout the procedure. The fetal heart rate is checked after the procedure. The procedure takes about 5 minutes.

What should be paid in attention to after the procedure?

You can rest in our quite room for about 30 minutes after the procedure. It is possible to have abdominal discomfort and menstruation-like symptoms. A light bleeding is possible, too. It is expected to have these symptoms getting better or disappear in couple of hours or days. If you should have heavy bleeding, strong abdominal pain or fever, please con- tact your gynaecologist or us.

How fast do I get the results?

The first results can be given in 1 to 2 days. The final result is given in 2 to 3 weeks. Please ask your doctor about how you would like to be informed about your results.

Are there any complications which can occur during this proce- dure?

There is a 1% risk of miscarriage when an amniocentesis is performed. In that case, please contact your gynaecologist or us.

Normal Results

A good result is expected usually after performing an amnio- centesis or chorionic villus sampling. The numerical chromo- somal abnormalities can be excluded with this result. This does not mean that all genetic disorders are excluded. Other findings like heart anomalies cannot be excluded with this examination. We would be offering regular exams in case of abnormalities in the ultrasound exam.

Abnormal Results

If the result comes out to be abnormal, we would make a new appointment with you in order to discuss the options. We would let you get in touch with our co-operation part- ners to help and inform you to give the right decision about the next steps. We will be offering regular ultrasound exams in case of a decision to carry on with the pregnancy.

Contact:

Prenatal Diagnostics: 0201-723-3574

Labour Ward: 0201-723-2345

Hotline for the Colleagues: 0201-723-83431

Universitätsklinikum Essen Hufelandstr. 55 45147 Essen