Septal defect question

cheymarie29 · September 2016

So at my gender scan they spotted what they believe is a hole in my babies heart. Apparently they very often heal on their own. However everything I've read says that the ones diagnosed in ultrasound are usually the larger sort that will require surgery. BTW my scans came out good that the baby doesn't have T18 or 21. I know a septal defect can be a soft marker. But anyhow I go in 4 weeks for a fetal echo in Asheville. Has anyone else ever experienced this or had this problem?

fourPsinapod · September 2016

I have not, but will be sending prayers for you! I hope all goes well at your next appointment. Hugs!

poofwok · September 2016

No experience with this but I just wanna say that I'll be sending you positive vibes and will look out for an update from you. ❤️

cheymarie29 · September 2016

@fourPsinapod thank you so much! Staying positive until they know more..... appreciate the prayers very much!

cheymarie29 · September 2016

@concreteangell thank you! My apt is OCT 11. I'll be sure to let you guys know.

expandcontract · September 2016

My cousin was born with a hole in her heart. There are several different kinds of these defects, I don't remember which one she had. She required surgery few months after birth. She's healthy now. Just has a long scar down her chest as a souvenir.

Partyof6? · September 2016

I have not had that experience, but I know it happens and babies are okay with or without surgery. I hope you get encouraging news at your next scan.

Gretchypoo · September 2016

@cheymarie29 I don't have advice but keep us updated. you and your little one are in my thoughts!

birdiejo · September 2016

Hope all goes well with the echo! Thinking of you.

WinchesterGirl · September 2016

Praying for you and your LO. There are many types of heart defects, some are extremely minor; try not to stress until you know more!

LivingLaVidaGinger · September 2016

I worked with a woman who's son was born with a hole in his heart that didn't close up during pregnancy. He needed a surgery and he took breathing treatments but other than that he's a perfectly healthy little boy. I think he's three now and it's healing up on its own or a least getting smaller. I don't know if it's going to be the same with you and don't want to scare you, but her little boy is living a very normal healthy life.

I'll definitely be keeping you in my thoughts and I hope all goes well at your next appt!!

jennpearl007 · September 2016

I have no advice but I want to say I'll be keeping you and your LO in my thoughts. I hope you update us with positive news!

FreshBakedBrownies · September 2016

A friend's son was diagnosed with a ventricular septal defect before he was born. The doctors were not very optimistic and thought it was really serious based on ultrasound. But after he was born, it wasn't as serious as they thought and he hasn't needed any surgery.
I hope everything works out ok for you too!

ohstars · September 2016

No experience but thinking of you!

Patience7150 · September 2016

No advice here, just prayers your LO does what he needs to do and everything is okay in the end. Please keep us updated!

yogadevil · September 2016

No experience with this, but I'll be keeping you and your baby in my heart as you go in for your echo

cheymarie29 · September 2016

AfKash said:

My cousin was born with a hole in her heart. There are several different kinds of these defects, I don't remember which one she had. She required surgery few months after birth. She's healthy now. Just has a long scar down her chest as a souvenir.

Oh wow! Thankful to know she's healthy now. Thank you. Glad she's doing good!

cheymarie29 · September 2016

WinchesterGirl said:

Praying for you and your LO. There are many types of heart defects, some are extremely minor; try not to stress until you know more!

At first I was completely freaked out but I've calmed down alot in the past few days. Just waiting to hear is hard, but I also feel like that gives the baby time to heal. I quit taking my unisom for sickness because I found a report that said I should. It said that there's an antihistamine in it and histamines are needed for healing and tissue/muscle repair. Not sure if its accurate but I'd rather be sick than chance it. Thank you!

cantalopes24 · September 2016

My daughter has a hole but they weren't concerned. She sees a cardiologist annually for a different issue and they said it was fine and may eventually close up on it's own. I believe the ones that are concerning are when it's in the ventricle.

MrsDramaK · September 2016

I don't have any input, but I am thinking of you and hoping everything goes okay!

tishb · September 2016

Also no advice to give, but you have my prayers @cheymarie29

Vastra · September 2016

I JUST clicked over from Facebook, where a friend posted a pre-op picture of her 4-year-old, who is going in for surgery tomorrow for surgery to correct a hole in his heart. I don't know why they waited so long to repair it, but as far as I know he has been a healthy, happy kid and they just want to nip it before he gets older. His mom says that it seems to be a very minor, routine thing (comparatively) and is not at all freaked out. So that's my third-party two cents! Good thoughts for you and your family.

JulesFo · September 2016

@cheymarie29, seems like you have a wonderful attitude. Sending lots of good thoughts your way!

cheymarie29 · September 2016

Thank you so much everyone for the prayers and the reassurance! I'll update after my echo Oct 11

ameshape1301 · September 2016

Hi there! So I'm going through a similar thing. At our scan at 13 weeks, they saw a cystic hygroma (a build up of fluid behind the baby's neck) that is generally indicative of a chromosomal abnormality or a heart condition. We were able to rule out chromosomal abnormality with a CVS, but at our 16 week early anatomy scan she saw a large hole between his lower ventricles (a VSD). We were told that it was too big to close on its own and started talking to local hospitals and doctors about what surgery he would need 6-9 months after birth. We went back in this week for an echo (18 weeks) and the hole is almost completely gone. The doctor was shocked. We are thrilled. We still have to get another echo in two weeks to confirm and he will need an echo after birth and regular growth scans. We aren't sure if the hole was actually just a shadow on the ultrasound (unlikely given the fluid build up) or if it just miraculously closed but I wanted to let you know that it DOES happen. The doctors have to give you the worst case scenario. Even if it doesn't, I've done a ton of research and this type of defect is very fixable and the babies who have it go on to have a totally normal life. Running, playing sports, nothing is restricted once the hole is closed. I'm sending you lots of prayers and hugs. It's so scary to be told that there's something wrong with your baby.

Keep us updated, please!

scottipino · September 2016

Ventricular septal defects(VSD) are the most common congenital heart disease. The other type of septal defect is an atrial septal defect(ASD). There are some much more complex defects, but too hard to discuss on here. It is very hard to predict based on early fetal echo whether surgery will be required if just a septal defect versus a more complex defect. Once baby is born you will get more info once baby gets an echo again. Many many babies with VSD/ASD never require any surgeries, but yes some do. Good luck and if I can answer more specific questions please PM me. Happy to try to help.

kerris713 · September 2016

I was born with an atrial septal defect and had my open heart surgery when I was 4. Luckily, I never really had any issues with it but everyone is different. I don't even really need to go to a cardiologist unless something comes up like a pregnancy. I automatically get a fetal echo done- had one for my DD and at the end of the month, will have one for this pregnancy. It's hard to do, but don't read up on this stuff/any medical concern until you have a diagnosis- it causes a lot of unnecessary panic. Also too, septal defects don't always close until the end of pregnancy or even after birth. A fetal echo can see the presence of a hole but often times, they are looking for major abnormalities or improper blood flow. I hope this helps and hope your echo goes well.

cheymarie29 · October 2016

Update: Went to the high risk center and they could not find any evidence of a defect. They will make sure when she's born but as of now she looks completely healthy. Thank you all SO much for your help and for your great advice.