What Are the Benefits?
The main advantage of CVS is that it is performed at an earlier time in the pregnancy than an amniocentesis. With CVS, results are generally available by 14 weeks of pregnancy. This gives you early reassurance if the results are normal, or more time to consider your options if problems are detected, without jeopardizing your privacy. If you decide to continue the pregnancy, you will have more time to prepare and find help from healthcare providers, counselors and parents of children with similar problems. Normal results on CVS can provide reassurance that the fetus does not have a chromosome abnormality or the genetic condition for which it is tested. However, it does not rule out all problems. Any pregnancy carries about a 3 to 5 percent risk for birth defects and/or developmental disabilities regardless of mother's age, use of medications or a family history.