Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling)

Risks

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) can cause cramping, leakage of amniotic fluid, and vaginal spotting, which goes away in 1 to 2 days. You may feel some soreness where the needle was put in if you had the belly procedure done.

CVS also slightly increases the chance of:

• Developing a uterine infection.
• Having a miscarriage. The chance of miscarriage is higher for transcervical CVS than for abdominal CVS. Overall, one study showed the risk of miscarriage from CVS is about 1 in 400 when done by a highly trained provider.
• Having a baby with arm or leg abnormalities though the chance of this happening is very low, especially when the test is done after 10 weeks.

Chorionic villus sampling has a very small chance of causing bleeding that could result in mixing your blood and your baby's. If you have Rh-negative blood, you will be given the Rh immune globulin vaccine (such as RhoGAM) to prevent Rh sensitization which could harm your baby if he or she has Rh-positive blood.

After the procedure

It is normal to have mild cramping, leakage of a small amount amniotic fluid, and vaginal spotting for the first day or two after the procedure. Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• Moderate or severe belly pain or cramping.
• More leakage of amniotic fluid from your vagina or from the needle site if you had a belly procedure.
• More vaginal bleeding than spotting, or bright red bleeding.
• Chills or a fever.
• Dizziness.
• Redness or swelling at the needle site if you had a belly procedure.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: October 12, 2006
Medical Review:	Renée M. Crichlow, MD - Family Medicine Siobhan M. Dolan, MD, MPH - Reproductive Genetics Liisa Honey, MD, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.