US/Scan Results and Echo.

lillebowski23

FINALLY had the fetal anatomy scan this morning and everything looked great! I had to meet with a fetal medical specialist after the scan to a) go over my results and b) as a consult. The consult is because my sister (who passed away 12 years ago tomorrow) was born with a congenital heart valve defect; her valves never closed all the way allowing blood to flow in both directions in the heart. She lived with congestive heart failure for several years  after having many open heart surgeries, but died due to complications from her condition at 21. Anyway, I obviously do not want my child to have to go thru the trauma my sister did. So far the heart scan looked great, however, the fetal medical specialist still wants me to have a fetal echocardiogram just to rule anything out. Has anyone had any experience with a fetal echo? I am a little nervous because I have to go to one of the big specialty cardiac units in Boston (where my sister was treated for years) to have this done. I will do a little research, but I figured that I'd put it out here to see if anyone has gone thru this. Thanks in advance!

In other news everything looked great on the US! We were able to see all 10 fingers and toes, her heart, her spine, ribs, and her girly bits thus confirming physical sex! Here is her delicious profile! Can't wait to meet little Amy Jo in July!!

Wyattnash00

Glad everything looks great @lillebowski23, so sorry about your sister, but you're in great hands in Boston.  And always good for your dr's to be as aware as possible. I'm actually going next week for a fetal echo as my son was born was a large vsd.  I don't actually know if such a thing is hereditary but it does make me feel better knowing we're being tested now.  Plus it will determine if we deliver down at Vanderbilt or stay where we are.  We didn't find out about his vsd until 2 days after his was born. I'll let you know how it goes next week:) also I forget how many weeks you are, but I don't think the baby's heart is fully developed until 22ish weeks, in case your appt is before then.

redheadbride15

Everything @Wyattnash00 said

Congenital heart defects can be hereditary, which is the reason for recommending the fetal echo in both of your cases, but the recurrence risk is still pretty low even with an affected sibling or parent. It is true that the anatomy scan is not very sensitive for picking up heart defects, especially if done at the earlier end of the 18-22 week window that most offices do them. So the fetal echo is just a more accurate way of looking specifically at the heart when there is any concern that the risk for a heart defect may be higher than it would be in the general population.

Good luck to you both!

lillebowski23

Thank you @Wyattnash00 (good luck with your echo!) and @redheadbride15 .  
I am 22 weeks as of Wednesday and despite my feelings about the exam, I am glad they are doing it. 
I was surprised at the level of detail I could see on the US, and being familiar with cardiac anatomy and physiology (although not as familiar as a doctor or specialist!) it looked pretty good and functional to me. I am glad that I will have some more definitive answers after the echo. 

Sporty1216

Congrats on the good scan, @lillebowski23 ! Isn't it so fun to see them in such detail? It feels like you kind of get to meet them. . I'm sorry about your sister, and I am glad the docs are on the lookout for any troubles. Extra glad things are looking good so far. I hope the echo goes well and confirms that all is well with baby's heart. Also, Amy Jo is a great name!

lickastick

I'm glad you had a good scan *phew* and I'm sorry I can't add any thing about the echo. But...wishing you the best news, that must have been  really hard on your family to have your sister go through that. hugs!

mthoomom

She's so cute! I love her little profile. My baby's little nose was all smushed up against the wall of my uterus, so no such cute profile picture for us. 

Ssoccerball

I love your ultrasound picture and am so happy that you got to see little Amy Jo in so much detail!  

Goldsgirl9

So glad everything looked great at your appt and great profile pic!