PAINFUL Chorionic Villus Sampling

Every woman, and every pregnancy is different. You may simply be more sensitive in that area. Maybe you were swollen down there from something else, especially if you had intercourse prior to the procedure. Or maybe your doctor wasn't quite as gentle as he should have been. I've known several women who had the CVS done and they complained of minor discomfort. A couple complained of some light spotting afterward. A couple complained that it was pretty painful, but bearable.

You wouldn't get sedation if "most women" have mild discomfort, especially since in most instances sedation isn't good for the baby.

I too had a similar experience when I had my CVS, though I didn't bend the needle or anything. The explanation I received was that my uterus was still thick and that's why it was very tough for the needle to go through. And after all that pain, they still couldn't get the sample and I had to back a few weeks later for an amnio. Since my uterus had grown and stretched it was not painful at all.

By the way, I'm not sure why you chose the CVS but for me it was because when I went to my first trimester screening I was given a very hugh probability of having a baby with a chromosomal abnormality and I was told that he would probably die. I was incredibly scared and shocked since I am only 25 years old. The amnio came back negative and I now have a very healthy and happy four month old. If you are going through something similar I hope my experience will give you some hope. Those screenings scare more than anything and the rate of false positives is high.

I realize I'm answering this late, but I had a CVS today and was just online looking for answers as to why I had so much pain, when everyone said mild cramping! I also felt like someone was trying to rip my insides as the doctor was trying to maneuver the needle into the right place. And this was at the prestigious Brigham and Women's in Boston, with a 15 or so year experienced doctor! The only thing I found was one tiny page about a study where women with thicker abdomens (fat?) had more pain. I also saw a study of pain ratings by women, but the high ratings those women gave were still only in the 5s on a 1 to 10 scale. For me, this was a 9, beyond anything I expected. I felt lied to.

Every woman is different. I learned that during a procedure to inject dye into my ovaries - I was told it would feel like period cramping. Well, I almost passed out from the pain. I thought it was barbaric! Turns out it is what it is. To me it was torture to some other woman it was a mere cramp. If the doctor wasn't concerned about it (the results that is) then I really wouldn't worry about it.

Hi J. - I had the CVS procedure done last month. My experience was very different. I could not have the CVS done abdominally because of the position of my bladder, so I had to have the CVS done vaginally.

My CVS was not painful in the slightest. The only discomfort I felt was the fear of peeing on the doctor. (Drinking 32 ounces of fluid 15 minutes before the procedure and having the doctor at eye level with your vagina will do that to you!) Throughout the whole procedure I keep repeating silently "Don't let me pee on this man. Please Lord, don't make me sneeze, because I will drown him...."

I am sorry you had such a painful experience. I know my response is probably not very helpful to you - but I hope it made you smile!

T. Y
SAHM of almost 4 9 yrs, 7 yrs, 17 months and 15 weeks pregnant.