Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

What is chorionic villus sampling (CVS)?

This test is performed between 10 and 12 weeks of pregnancy.

The doctor inserts a needle through your abdomen or inserts a catheter through your cervix in order to reach the placenta. Your doctor then takes a sample of cells from the placenta. These cells are used in a lab to look for problems with chromosomes.

This test cannot find out whether your baby has open neural tube defects.

About 1 in 200 women have a miscarriage as a result of this test.