Possible Downs Syndrome - 28 Weeks

GSUDavis

(Cross posted from July 2015 Group)

Yesterday my husband and I visited a maternal fetal medicine specialist because our baby has a "two vessel cord". While at the appointment the dr told us the following information:

-Baby is happy, healthy and very active

-Measuring 2 weeks behind in growth

-Arms, legs, and nasal bone are slighly shorter than they should be

-No visable "bright spots" or issues with his heart, kidneys or brain

-Genetic testing was negative (up to 80% accurate)

-Possiblity of DS due to smallness of baby

She said that because our genetic testing was negative and she doesn't seen an of the "usual" issues (heart, kidneys, brain), that these are positive things and he may just be on the smaller side and will grow normally once the 2 vessel cord is cut and he eats/grows on the outside.

Also of note, I was very small when I was born. Just barely 5 lbs. Not sure if it's relevant.

Have any of you ladies encountered this or know someone who had encountered this before? And if so, what was the outcome?

Thanks in advance!

mercedesbenz802

We had no signs in our Pregnancy of Down Syndrome but when DD was born the Drs had a feeling she had it and did the testing and she has Down syndrome. She was born 3 weeks early at 5lbs 10oz and 18.5ins long. We have seen a specialist and she said she did not show any Down Syndrome in ultra sounds because she has no physical characteristics. We have also had open heart surgery for a VSD repair. You really will not know until baby is born. I know how hard it is and scary to hear this while pregnant or at birth. I am here if you ever need to talk.

MHestley

I had my son when I was 39 weeks pregnant and he was 6lb 1 oz and 18.5 inches long.. The ultrasound before birth said he was around 6 1/2 lbs but he was about a poud and a half left.. I was at risk for trisomy 13 or 18.. He has a VSD cleft lip and palate.. He was also small for gestation. They never mentioned Down syndrome but when e was born they brought it up. You can really only tell when they're here, because sometimes they carry physical charteristics that you can't see in an ultrasound such as upward slanted eyes. I'd just wait and see.. Try not to worry i promise once you see your little one it won't matter at all what they have, you will just be so happy.

GSUDavis

Thank you ladies. I'm sorry, it's been a while since I've been on the TB. 

We decided not to do any more of the genetic testing and will wait to see when he is born. Like you both said, either way, we (and our families) will love him without hesitation or prejudice. And we will be thrilled that we have a happy, healthy baby boy! =D

As an update, we have seen all of the specialists and he has no heart, brain or kidney issues. And at 30 weeks measured 3.5 lbs. The dr's all say that he is wonderfully healthy and we can't wait for him to be here! =D

rklinge0

I just had my baby this week. We were told 4 percent with the markers that they saw. Well she is one of the 4 percent. The last time I had seen my mfm he was really optimistic considering that the mvm was decreasing. Its rough and one of the harder parts is even tho the heart was healthy in all 9 U/s they have told me asmall tear which may or may not fix itself on its own.

*shira*

@rklinge0 is the small tear you mentioned a hole in the heart? BTW I PMed you again - this site doesn't seem to do the whole inbox thing very well. :-)

slambert88

I delivered my son at 38 weeks and we found out then that he had Down Syndrome. Nothing showed up throughout the pregnancy or ultrasounds. His PDA hadn't closed and he has an ASD. As of right now, we make a couple trips a month to Children's Hospital and do therapy everyday. It can be scary as times but he is the best thing that has ever happened to us and I wouldn't change anything about him.

rmj28

A friend of mine was in your shoes and had a healthy baby boy who is now 3 and does not have DS.

On the other hand, my son shows no soft markers, and after two screens, three anatomy scans and amnio, has been diagnosed with DS. (Our assessed risk with one blood screen and two anatomy scans was 0.6%!) That being said, only 50% of fetuses with DS show soft markers.

I'm thinking of you! I'll try to keep up with your post but feel free to PM me.

nursej519

My little one had a 2 vessel cord and although she measured on the small side, a diagnosis of DS was never have mentioned. She was born 5 weeks early at 5 lbs, 14oz and is a happy, healthy baby. Best of luck to you and your little one!