the fetus . CVS is done under local anesthetic and is a quick procedure in the outpatient clinic. Depending on where the placenta is attached to the wall of the uterus , a very fine needle is passed either through the cervix or through the skin of the abdomen, using an ultrasound scanner to guide it. A small sample of cells is then collected from the placenta . These cells can be used to test for the HD genetic abnormality. The main complication of the procedure is an increased risk of miscarriage, which happens after CVS in about 1 in 50 pregnancies. CVS is usually carried out between 10 and 12 weeks into a pregnancy. At this stage, a pregnancy can still be kept private from family and friends. If the genetic test is positive, a termination can usually be carried out under general anesthetic until about 12-13 weeks -- depending on the country's laws. Sometimes a termination can be carried out later. "HD-free with PGD " Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis ( PGD ) is another way of going about things. It is a way of having an HD-free kid without having to think about terminating a pregnancy. It's more complicated, and more expensive than pre-natal testing and it can be a long and stressful process. " Expert genetic counseling helps understand the choices available locally. The earlier you get advice, the more options you'll have. " PGD involves using eggs and sperm to create embryos in a lab, then performing