f/u to T&P post. Met with genetic counselor this AM

BlondeBeachBride08 · March 2010

Hey ladies. Thanks for the vibes this morning.

Steve and I had a meeting with a genetic counselor this morning as a follow up to our ultrasound last week. I didn't share at the time because I needed some time to process the information we received but on the u/s they found a soft marker for genetic abnormalities and it freaked us out, to say the least.

A little back story from the ultrasound last week. The soft marker they found is one club foot on the baby, which sounds worse than it appears. Basically, baby's left foot is turned under (think of the position your foot is in when you clap your feet together). It is fully formed with all of the toes and is the same size as the other foot so it's not malformed, just seems to be connected wrong at the ankle. Also, baby is using this foot/leg the same way s/he is using the other leg so it doesn't look like anything is wrong with the leg developmentally. This was just confirmed this morning, we weren't sure of it when we left the appointment last week. It was also confirmed today that there was nothing else of concern on the ultrasound. We thought this was the case but weren't sure so hearing this made me feel 100x better. So the heart, brain and organs are all correctly formed and functioning normally. The bones are developed and in the correct proportions, the head is the right size and the spine looks good.

Thankfully, what we found out at the genetic counselor is in line with what we found when we did our own research. Since the foot is the only abnormality on the scan the chance of a chromosomal or genetic defect is very very low. Club foot most often occurs completely on it's own.

After hearing confirmation of all of these things we opted not to do additional testing. (we were offered an amniocentesis) We don't feel it is worth the risk to the baby when there is such a low likelihood of something being wrong.

The next step is to meet with a pediatric orthopedic surgeon from Children's Memorial Hospital, one of the best pediatric hospitals in the country. When we talk to him we'll learn more about the treatment plan to correct baby's foot after birth. From everything I've read, we should be able to do this without surgery. The treatment is generally a series of casts/splints that reposition the foot over time. I'm glad to be preparing for this ahead of time so when Baby is born it won't be as big of a deal.

So, while it is deeply upsetting and unsettling to hear that ANYTHING is 'wrong' with my baby, I'm glad at least that it's something that is treatable and should have no long term ill effects on the child's life. I do think that Club Foot is an awful, outdated term though. I'm really surprised they haven't come up with another term for it by now. I have heard SO many stories of people both with a club foot that was corrected when the baby was born. We also learned last week that Steve's older brother was born with two club feet so it's possible that it just runs in his family.

I feel like a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I was so worried that when we got there they would tell us that they had found another marker on the ultrasound or something. That would have changed the whole game so I'm very thankful that there were no surprises.

Thanks for all of your support, I appreciate it so much!

****ETA***** Please keep this OFF facebook. I don't plan to broadcast this off the boards. Thanks!

katers1279 · March 2010

I didn't know you were going to early! I JUST texted you to wish you luck!!!

I'm SO glad to hear things are less serious than feared. What a relief. Brett and I were both thinking of the three of you and sending our good thoughts.

dexspsandqs · March 2010

Oh, Morgan! *hugs*

As I'm sure you were told a club foot isn't terribly uncommon and that your baby will still be healthy, happy and wonderful.

I know in Chicago you have some amazing doctors and hospitals that will walk you through this process with baby C- please know we're here for you and thinking of you!

AprilJT · March 2010

You must have been so stressed out about this. While I hate to hear that anything is "wrong" I'm glad to hear that it is something that won't have a long term impact and it is something that can be fixed.

nataliejp519 · March 2010

Lots more hugs, Morgan! I would be stressed too but thankfully you can take steps now. Is it 100% certain that your baby will be born with the club foot or could it correct itself on its own still in the womb?

lindeenwedding · March 2010

dexspsandqs:
Oh, Morgan! *hugs*
As I'm sure you were told a club foot isn't terribly uncommon and that your baby will still be healthy, happy and wonderful.
I know in Chicago you have some amazing doctors and hospitals that will walk you through this process with baby C- please know we're here for you and thinking of you!

This! I am sorry that you are dealing with anything, but happy that it is something relatively minor and that you are in a great city for doctors. My mom was born with a club food and I would have never known had I not found out recently and a friend of mine has a 5 year old that is completely healthy and "normal" that was born with one. We are here for you though, I know no one wants to hear anything is "wrong" with their baby. (((hugs)))

Eleise96 · March 2010

Morgan, I am so sorry that you and Steve have been going through this. I can only imagine how stressed and worried you were.

After reading your post, it is evident that you guys are handling this news very well. Even with a club foot, Baby C will be very healthy and happy, and that is all you need! I am sure that the great doctors in your area will help you and Baby C shortly after he/she is born.

Please let us know if you need anything! We're all here for you! HUGS!

natalee215 · March 2010

I'm so glad to hear that things went well this morning. As you said, the club foot is treatable and otherwise, Baby C is healthy! That's what is important. It is also so great that you are able to plan to treatment ahead of baby's birth in order to make things just a little less stressful for you.

CanadianBride84 · March 2010

*Hugs*

That is great news that there is nothing for concern on the u/s. At least you know that your child has a chance of the club foot, and you are already on a path to treat it. Good luck with the treatment plan in the future.

BlondeBeachBride08 · March 2010

nataliejp519:
Lots more hugs, Morgan! I would be stressed too but thankfully you can take steps now. Is it 100% certain that your baby will be born with the club foot or could it correct itself on its own still in the womb?

They can't say how it will develop for the rest of the pregnancy so I'm curious to see how it will be when the baby is born. We have another ultrasound next week to get a few more views of the heart that they didn't get last time so I'm going to ask them to look at the foot again to see if it's any different. If it looks totally normal next week I swear to god!!! haha

A lot can change in the next four months. It may get worse, it may get better, it may stay the same. The true diagnosis will take place at birth and the treatment plan will be arranged from that point.

spiritenergy · March 2010

I am glad to hear that it is nothing too major. I agree club foot is an awful term. It seems like we have modernized a ton of medical conditions but for whatever reason this one has never been changed. Tons of vibes that everything else continues to go smoothly and that the treatments work fast and effectively.

AshNicole331 · March 2010

That's awesome news! SO glad to hear it!

modom3278 · March 2010

Thank goodness it was not anything more serious, as it sounds like this is highly treatable. I am glad many of your fears have been alleviated!

funny bunny · March 2010

Morgan, I know how difficult this must be to have to process, but let me tell you something that may make you a little more relaxed.

My cousin was born with this condition in both legs.

He obviously had to go through surgery, and other procedures to correct this problem, but he is 21 yrs old today, and 100% perfect.

In fact, he just ended his army service in Israel, as a trainer for the very highest level Elite undercover unit.

I hope this helps a little.

natalie115 · March 2010

I'm so glad that they didn't find anything else. Although it's scary to think that something is wrong, like you said, at least it's something that can be corrected and ultimately won't affect LO long term. Sounds like you are handling this really well, but here are some (((hugs))) anyways!

Ashleysred · March 2010

I am so sorry you are dealing with this but it sounds like you are in good hands and Baby C is going to be perfect, happy, and healthy!

nykris · March 2010

Sorry youve had to go through all this Morgan! Im so glad that you were able to get more information and find out that it is something that can be corrected.

Ms.Beachbum08 · March 2010

Morgan, I am so glad that you walked out of today's appointment feeling somewhat relieved. You are on my list of things to do today, but my stupid phone (that you know all about) is sitting on my counter at home. Now onto the next plan of action and all of them are promising. :-)

oohlypinon · March 2010

natalie115:
I'm so glad that they didn't find anything else. Although it's scary to think that something is wrong, like you said, at least it's something that can be corrected and ultimately won't affect LO long term. Sounds like you are handling this really well, but here are some (((hugs))) anyways!

This!!!

Kahtie41 · March 2010

natalie115:
I'm so glad that they didn't find anything else. Although it's scary to think that something is wrong, like you said, at least it's something that can be corrected and ultimately won't affect LO long term. Sounds like you are handling this really well, but here are some (((hugs))) anyways!

Ditto! I think I'd also be relieved that, like you said, at least now you can be prepared rather than surprised when you finally get to meet your precious LO.

siba1119 · March 2010

::HUGS:: I'm happy there wasn't anything else wrong and it can be corrected.

MmeBP · March 2010

big hugs!! I am glad that there was nothing seriously wrong and that baby is healthy.

sstubben · March 2010

I'm glad to hear that if the baby is born with a club foot that it can be corrected and that all the vital organs look good. I'm sending you lots of (((HUGS)))

lauralizabee · March 2010

Big hugs! Baby C will get the best care around!

Mrs.G_09 · March 2010

While I'm sorry to hear that there is anything wrong with baby C, I'm glad it's treatable, especially without surgery!

My SIL was born with something wrong in both her ankles, I don't know what though. Her parents were told she would never walk. She underwent surgery by an awesome orthopedic surgeon (although he's now in jail for murder, long story) when she was a toddler and now you would never know anything was ever wrong.

Lisa7 · March 2010

I missed this post this morning but glad to hear it's something that can be taken care of and that the baby is healthy

Amer19 · March 2010

natalee215:
I'm so glad to hear that things went well this morning. As you said, the club foot is treatable and otherwise, Baby C is healthy! That's what is important. It is also so great that you are able to plan to treatment ahead of baby's birth in order to make things just a little less stressful for you.

This exactly. *hugs*

sillybiochemist · March 2010

Sorry to hear about the foot but glad to hear it doesn't seem to be anything more severe. Sending tons of hugs for you and DH. The good thing is that it sounds like (based on what others have said) it's a very fixable condition that will have little effect on the little one when they get older.