Glossary

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Chorionic villus sampling (CVS): A sample of chorionic villi, the fetal blood vessels that form part of the placenta, is removed and analyzed for this test. It's done between 10 and 12 weeks of pregnancy. The test is usually offered for chromosomal screening to look for birth defects. There is a slightly higher risk of miscarriage as result of a CVS compared to an amniocentesis.