Possible amniotic band

hayhay2501 · August 2016

Hi everyone,

I just had my 20 week scan and baby was healthy and was moving a ton but I've been referred to a specialist as the sonographer thought I might have a band in my uterus. I did a bit of googling but am trying not to do too much so I can't fully explain it. Though if it is one it can be really serious.

This year has been awful for my family, my grandpa died in January, my mom died after a quick cancer battle in May and I just can't take another tragedy! We found out it's a girl and are supposed to have a gender reveal party on Sunday but I just can't face it right now knowing that the baby might not make it.

The sonographer said I'd be called by the specialist next week to schedule my follow up, but I can only wait in the meantime. She said it's not serious at the moment so no need to go sooner.

Does anyone one have any tips? I feel seriously cursed!! It put such a damper on what should have been a thrilling day and I'm really not in a good place about it

adorebella · August 2016

So sorry you've got these what-if's to grapple with for the next week or more! Sometimes I wish they just wouldn't tell us anything until they knew one way or another what they meant. I know PGAL moms will say "today I am pregnant and I love my baby" - and that's true for you and something you can hang onto in the coming days while you wait to have more answers. I'll be hoping for good news for you and that this was just a misreading of the ultrasound. Also, medical advancements are AMAZING. If there is a band there is likely something the doctors can do for you and baby.

Ashleybrandon1990 · August 2016

I'm not sure if what I have is the same thing, but at my 16 week ultrasound my specialist said I have something called an amniotic sheet. I go for ultrasounds every 4 weeks due to my Bicornuate uterus, so they said they're going to keep a close eye on it since the baby is already in a tight space, and now there's another thing in there making it harder for the baby to move. He didn't really go into much detail about what an amniotic sheet was, so I did a little googling, but I'm going to ask at my 20 week ultrasound for him to go into more detail about it. I do however remember him saying that there's a chance that the baby could push his way through the sheet. I hope you get answers from the specialist soon.

hayhay2501 · August 2016

Thanks guys. My sister is a nanny for an awesome OB-GYn so I spoke to her and she made me feel a lot better about it. The sonographer wouldn't tell me anything, which made me automatically feel it was a death sentence for my baby. I also saw a few scary things on the Internet. But my sisters boss was really casual about it and said usually it goes away and if not I just have to be closely monitored. Hopefully she was telling her the full picture!!!

Im going to call my midwife this afternoon about it. It's a three day weekend here, or I would have been able to see someone on Monday, which is a bit frustrating. But once I do and if I have one, I'll def grill the doctor. Uch not the news I wanted today!!! Today was supposed to be happy

ceclarlinetlo · August 2016

I am so sorry the sonographer' delivery of the news added more stress to your situation. FX for the best outcome!

stumptownmama · August 2016

I hate leaving the doctor without clarity. I'm so sorry you're in that position. I think you're doing the right thing by calling and getting more info. Praying that it is not a serious complication. My gut is saying it's not because no one talked to you more about it and there doesn't seem to be a sense of urgency. Hugs to you!

hayhay2501 · August 2016

Uch... So I called my midwife and she was off today (this is a huge travel weekend with Monday off), so I called the hospital midwifes and it was AWFUL. The woman had never heard of a band, went away for 5 minutes and told me it was best to wait to see the specialist as she couldn't explain it... made me feel really great. She also wasn't able to speed up my appointment either. I just have to wait. I don't know how I'm going to get through this weekend and my gender reveal

. I'm just going to have to trust what my sister's boss told her!

Sorry for all the updates... makes me feel a bit better letting it out!

KRB22 · August 2016

So sorry you're going through this! I know the uncertainty and unknowns are awful, and it stinks to get partial information and then have to wait for the rest.

I know it's hard, but try to trust what the OBGYN said for now. And look at the gender reveal party as a chance to put this out of your mind temporarily and to focus on the positives that are confirmed as of now - you are pregnant, the baby appears to be perfectly healthy, and you'll soon know whether it's a boy or girl!

will be thinking of you and hoping for the best outcome!

cabu14 · August 2016

I'm so sorry you're going through this

I have my fingers crossed you get answers soon! Try to have fun at your reveal party

susykat77 · August 2016

With the baby moving a ton and the sonographer saying they MIGHT have seen a band, I would trust what the OBGYN said. From what you've said, they seemed the most confident in their answer. I did a little googling for you (stay away from google) and it seemed as though a very high percentage resolve on their own. But I TOTALLY understand freaking out and feeling so unsure. Sending you positive thoughts for a good scan next week. Big (creepy internet) hugs.

Ashleybrandon1990 · August 2016

I hope you get answers soon, the uncertainty sucks. I hope you can still have a great time at the reveal party.

hayhay2501 · August 2016

@susykat77 that's exactly what my sisters boss said- that 9 out of 10 resolve themselves. It's just so frustrating being told something potentially scary and having to wait so long! Thanks for the internet hug, I need all the hugs I can get!

vssbrm · August 2016

Thinking about you, prayers that everything works itself out!

karaelaine1991 · August 2016

hayhay87 said:

Uch... So I called my midwife and she was off today (this is a huge travel weekend with Monday off), so I called the hospital midwifes and it was AWFUL. The woman had never heard of a band, went away for 5 minutes and told me it was best to wait to see the specialist as she couldn't explain it... made me feel really great. She also wasn't able to speed up my appointment either. I just have to wait. I don't know how I'm going to get through this weekend and my gender reveal . I'm just going to have to trust what my sister's boss told her!

Sorry for all the updates... makes me feel a bit better letting it out!

The hospital midwife didn't know what that was? I'd say that's more of a reflection on the quality of the midwife if with her knowledge and experience she didn't know what that was. As for the tech not giving more info, my tech for DD's anatomy scan told us up front at the beginning of our scan that if she saw anything that might be abnormal, IF she told us about it at all, she wouldn't give us any information about how severe it was. She said it was because while she was qualified to identify things in the scan, she wasn't qualified to actually diagnose or plan a course of treatment, so her office's policy was that all of that was left to the doctors. Maybe your tech has a similar policy?

I'm so sorry that you have this extra stressor on top of everything else. This was probably the last news you needed. I'll keep you and your baby in my prayers. In the meantime, try to distract yourself (next to impossible, I'm sure, but dwelling on it will only make you more stressed and that's not good for you or your baby). Also, eat some ice cream - it always makes me feel a little bit better, even though it doesn't actually fix anything, and maybe it'll give you a few minutes of partial relief from your worries

Keep us updated as you're able to!

newyearsbaby5 · August 2016

@hayhay87 so, so sorry you are going through this added stress. just wanted to say that the gender reveal party might sound horrible to face at this moment, but think of all your guests as your true, close support network. while you might want to curl in a ball and just freak out, it's always so much better to be around people. maybe start with the gender reveal, but end the party with some sort of game that is very un-baby (cards against humanity or another funny game) so you end the night on a happy note so when you leave, you're thinking about something else. thinking of you!

moosette113 · August 2016

I don't have any experience or advice, but just wanted to say that I'm sorry you're going through this uncertainty. I hope you're able to enjoy your reveal on Sunday- sending lots of positive thoughts your way!

KarliQ88 · August 2016

Oh dear. I know how you feel. I had a different situation where they thought they saw something with my ultrasound with my boy's heart (further testing showed it was nothing and my baby boy is fine thank goodness). We found out friday and had gender reveal Sunday. I wanted so badly to cancel it because of the fears i had. You need to continue on as if everything is normal. You don't need to share anything with anyone. It's hard to do...i understand. But no matter what happens you will be glad you had this gender reveal celebration.

Michellewfhs · August 2016

First of all let me say I don't even know if this is the same thing you're talking about. My husband's hand was caught in an amniotic band which they had no way of knowing at the time before he was born. It caused his 4 fingers to each be missing a knuckle and be just a tad shorter than those on his other hand but didn't affect his thumb at all. The fingers were also connected with skin. He had surgery to separate the fingers as an infant. You can't tell unless you're really trying and it has never stopped him from doing anything he wanted to because he has full functionality. He was a pilot in the Navy and now flies as an agricultural pilot.

With all that being said, like I stated earlier I'm not sure if that's the same thing you could possibly have, but wanted to share that. I hope you get some good news soon and can find a way to get some peace of mind in the mean time.

hayhay2501 · August 2016

@michellewfhs that's exactly what it might be. Thank you for sharing this. I'm glad your husband wasn't too impacted. Hopefully it's the same for my baby if it doesn't go away/ is there!

Its almost 3am here and I can't sleep wah

Michellewfhs · August 2016

@hayhay87 Sorry to hear that. Hopefully your sonographer is just being overly cautious. The stuff on Google seems to show you all the worst case scenarios, so I could definitely see how you can't help but stress about it after trying to do some research especially when no one seems to be able to answer your questions right now. I will add that my husband's fingers look nothing like what I saw on google (just a knuckle short), like I said that's all worse case scenario. I'm sure plenty of women have it and never know because it can resolve on its own, so try not to worry yourself too much until you have some answers.

hayhay2501 · August 2016

@karliq88 I'm so glad your baby is okay!

MaryNog · August 2016

I'm so sorry that you're going through a difficult situation @hayhay87! Thinking of you and hoping everything works out for the best!!

EISG918 · August 2016

@hayhay87 no experience but sending you lots of creepy internet hugs and FX for a great follow up ultrasound! Keep us posted

hayhay2501 · August 2016

Update: I still don't have my appointment confirmed. Uch. I called the hospital today and they said I should hear by Friday (and that's just to get a date for the scan). I am so appreciative for free health care but it's super stressful when stuff like this happens. I'm not an urgent case as if I have the band, it most likely wouldn't pose a risk until the baby is bigger (if it doesn't go away. I pray it does!!!).

DH and I are debating whether or not to pay for a private scan for peace of mind (it's £200, which is like $300). I'll probably wait and see what kind of date I get on Friday.

The gender reveal went ahead, but I definitely didn't enjoy it as much as I would have. Ive told a few friends but not everyone so when most people asked how the scan went I just said fine. I'm just trying to take things day by day and stay positive as in most cases this should fix itself. After my year I need luck on my side!

karaelaine1991 · August 2016

hayhay87 said:

Update: I still don't have my appointment confirmed. Uch. I called the hospital today and they said I should hear by Friday (and that's just to get a date for the scan). I am so appreciative for free health care but it's super stressful when stuff like this happens. I'm not an urgent case as if I have the band, it most likely wouldn't pose a risk until the baby is bigger (if it doesn't go away. I pray it does!!!).

DH and I are debating whether or not to pay for a private scan for peace of mind (it's £200, which is like $300). I'll probably wait and see what kind of date I get on Friday.

The gender reveal went ahead, but I definitely didn't enjoy it as much as I would have. Ive told a few friends but not everyone so when most people asked how the scan went I just said fine. I'm just trying to take things day by day and stay positive as in most cases this should fix itself. After my year I need luck on my side!

I'm sorry you have to wait so long! I hope your scan will be soon after Friday and that you'll get good results.

susykat77 · August 2016

@hayhay87 Ugh the waiting is so hard!!! If it were me, I would pay for the elective ultrasound seeing how everything else has been free...

xinran · September 2016

@hayhay87 So sorry to hear about your uncertainty and possible issues. I just wanted to say we are in the UK and went for a private anatomy scan and nothing has been more worth it. There was a tech and a doctor so they could explain everything there and then. There was far less rushing, more explaination, support and reassurance. The other thing is the technology was so much better the level of detail was dramatically different. I highly recommend taking that option. If they find any concerns they directly contact the hospital and your doctor's to inform them exactly what they found and you might find that could help speed up your appointment for you.

hayhay2501 · September 2016

@xinran- do you mind me asking if you happen to be in London and if so which clinic you used? Heard from the NHS today and my appt is on the 15th so it's a question of whether I should wait 2 weeks or go private! The tech said the fetal medicine unit at my hospital will have the most modern scan machines but I know things can be a bit rushed. Though my 20 week scan literally took an hour but she didn't explain anything! I assume she was trying to figure out if I had a band. Wish she could have called someone in then and there!

xinran · September 2016

We aren't in London we are in the midlands. I used a clinic called MUMS in Solihull and they were fantastic. I am really not knocking the NHS because they have been fantastic. But it was a very different experience. Might be worth ringing the scan clinic to see if they could tell you any more anyway because if it's a particularly specialist topic it may not help anyway? Just a thought.
If you want to talk through anything drop me a message.
I really hope you are managing to get some rest and look after yourself in the meantime.

cabu14 · September 2016

@hayhay87 came in here to check on you and saw you have to wait until the 15th that must be so nerve recking. It's a lot of money to go private but I can totally see the need/desire to go for it. I don't have experience with the band - but would it change anything if you could get an earlier scan? Just wanted to say I've been thinking of you and have my FX so hard!

hayhay2501 · September 2016

@cabu14 and @xinran thanks

. I think I'm just going to wait until the 15th as that will be in the clinic who will ultimately care for me if I do have the band. And if I went private I'd know sooner but they ultimately would have to refer me back to the fetal medicine clinic at my hospital for next steps. I feel better now that I have a date though I wish it was sooner!

I found out today that a friend (who actually also happens to be an American in London having her baby on the NHS) of one of my best friends actually was found to have a band and it hasn't impacted her baby at all (she's due this month). She just has scans every two weeks. I'm hoping if I do have one the outcome is the same as her! It made me feel comforted knowing someone who has definitely had one and has so far had a positive pregnancy.

hayhay2501 · September 2016

Just to let everyone know I finally had my appt with a doctor and EVERTHING LOOKS GOOD! No sign of a band. She said there's a bump in my uterus that they might have thought was a band but isn't. Yayyyyyyy. Thanks for everyone's support!

And for anyone who is told they might have one, the doctor confirmed that in the vast majority of cases it doesn't impact the baby at all. I'm just so glad I don't have to worry!

Renee1105 · September 2016

hayhay87 said:

Just to let everyone know I finally had my appt with a doctor and EVERTHING LOOKS GOOD! No sign of a band. She said there's a bump in my uterus that they might have thought was a band but isn't. Yayyyyyyy. Thanks for everyone's support!

And for anyone who is told they might have one, the doctor confirmed that in the vast majority of cases it doesn't impact the baby at all. I'm just so glad I don't have to worry!

Great news!!