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A 37-year-old member asked:

Someone here please explain the difference between chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis?

2 doctor answers6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Marilynn Frederiksen
Maternal-Fetal Medicine 49 years experience
CVS and Amnio: A cvs is done earlier in pregnancy and involves getting tissue from the placenta. An amniocentesis is done later in pregnancy. It involves getting amniotic fluid from the gestational sac. Chromosomal abnormalities can be found by both techniques. An amniocentesis can also check for neural tube defects. A genetic disease, such as cystic fibrosis can be diagnosed by either technique.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Miguel Cano
Obstetrics and Gynecology 32 years experience
Placenta vs fluid: Cvs can usually be done earlier and involves obtaining placental tissue for chromosome analysis. This is done by needle biopsy either through the cervix or abdomen. Amniocentesis is obtaining amniotic fluid for testing also by needle aspiration. Both are done with ultrasound guidance, cvs slightly riskier with bleeding & cramping, both safe to do, both done by mfm docs. I hope that helps.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

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Last updated Dec 31, 2022
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