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2nd Trimester
Anatomy u/s = Bittersweet
Today was my big anatomy ultrasound and we found out it is a GIRL! We are overjoyed!
BUT, the radiology report ended up being faxed to my doc office before it normally does so she wanted me and dh to sit down with her to discuss the findings. There were two soft markers that appeared on the ultrasound which can mean nothing or it can mean there is a chromosomal abnormality. One was an echogenic focus (white spot in heart) and the other was a distension of the renal pelvis (possible issue with fluid passing through kidneys). She recommended getting an amnio, but the first available appt isn't for over two weeks. I have such mixed emotions right now... I can't stop crying. I just can't imagine finding out there is something wrong with her...Thank goodness my dh is being so strong and positive.
If anyone has any similar experiences or knows a story of someone who has...please share.
Any positive thoughts would be greatly appreciated as I struggle through the next few weeks.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Anatomy u/s = Bittersweet
Congrats on a baby girl first off.
I'm sorry about the results. I pray that everything turns out fine and you can find some peace as you wait for more results and testing.
(((Hugs)))
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope everything turns out ok and your baby is healthy.
HI there. I am sorry you are getting this scare. I had a scary episode with DS2.
My first piece of advice would be to breathe. Did you have the U/S done by a MFM? I would request a level 2 u/s if yours was not one. I would do it with a MFM, or perinatologist's office. They can tell you more as far as your risks. ect.
If you get in with a MFM, your apt may consist of a meeting with a genetic counselor, and then an extended level 2 us. The MFM will then meet with you to discuss your chances/risks, and further testing if warranted.
I would not get freaked yet, until you have seen a specialist.
We did not end up with an amnio because our MFM determined our risk of an unhealthy baby to be smaller than the risk of miscarriage from an amnio.
My OB said that one soft marker isn't really a concern, but two is a red flag that something more serious could be wrong. I am NOT happy about having an amnio... in fact I am scared to death. My doc is very laid back and a "low intervention" type doc, so when she suggested that I definitely have the amnio it completely scared me. I didn't think about getting another u/s to rule out something clearing up on its own. I will call my nurse and mention it.
Thanks for sharing your story!
This means her risk for an abnormality was very low. Don't let the amnio scare you. They are very safe.
Thanks MSC! I know that you are no stranger to hard times! And my worries don't even come close to what you went through!! Thanks for the kind words! I really appreciate it.
firsttogo:
thanks for sharing your story! I have a consultation with Maternal Fetal Medicine on 4/30...I assume they will discuss my options with me and possibility of another u/s. Whew...I guess we'll see...
ougrad1:
Thanks! I really appreciate it! I have heard many women say that an amnio isn't as bad as everyone has always heard. Hopefully mine will be a breeze if/when I do it. The pics of your DD make me smile every time I see them!
Did you have an NT scan? Just wondering what your results of that were.
We had two soft markers at our anatomy scan as well: EIF and choroid plexus cysts. My risk was 1:10000 for chromosomal abnormalities as per the NT scan, so with two soft markers that brought my risk to 1:2500. As low as that risk is, I still felt terrified having my risk quadruple. We decided not to do the amnio, as the risk of the amnio is higher. I know these are all just numbers, but it helped me to look at the situation logistically.
Another bumpie (sweetpeakay) actually went to the Mayo clinic in NY to assess the same soft markers and was told that EIFs are more commonly seen today with better technology and the focus should be compared to the brightest bone in the body.
I have another ultrasound to reassess these markers next Thursday, so I should have more info at that time.
Thoughts are with you--I know it's scary!
Sorry, I did not mean to alarm. My Risk was pretty low after evaluating it.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
First, Congrats on your baby girl!! I am sorry you are going through this. The amount of stress and concern it puts on you is ridiculous! The heart spot can be a calcium build up and can go away on it's own.
Our LO's ultrasound showed 3 soft markers, at the Genetic Counselors request we got the amnio and she came back healthy and a very confirmed baby girl. I would say this: it really truly is a personal choice. For myself, I'm a planner, if my LO was going to have DS I wanted to be as prepared as possible to meet her needs (Google because my very best friend). Talk it over with your DH and go from there.
If you do decide to do the amnio, the procedure isn't bad at all.
You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Remembering Evelyn and raising Bailey
Evelyn Born at 24wks 6days on May 22, 2010 due to pre-e Passed away May 25, 2010
BFP# 2 Delivered 6wks early due to preeclampsia
1. Congrats on your little girl!!
2. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers! Keep us updated on how everything goes! *hug*
Sending positive thoughts your way. Try to stay strong...and lean on your husband for the strength when you need it.
Congrats on the baby girl
Welcome to team pink!
Not us (our story had a sad end) But my SIL and my niece they thought she was going to have problems with her legs and have down syndrome and they got her in right away to have an amnio and they waited and waited and WAITED for two weeks amost three for results and everything was fine for them. My niece is a normal happy healthy witty little girl... T&P for you please keep us updated...
We didn't have the same thing happen but something similar, and I am so sorry I know first hand how upseting it is to hear that news. Our baby also has the echogenic focus in one of his ventricles. We saw it on the ultrasound the same time as the dr and my heart sank. It took me a while to understand exactly what that marker meant and the dr was very patient and reassuring, but upon leaving the office I immediately call our own dr.
He gave me the same information and explained that it is just a soft marker and my age and the fact that I'm healthy and baby is measuring well are all great signs. He also told me know to waste the rest of my pregnancy worrying about what might be. I know it is hard to actually get to that place but I really believe he is right. Even if my numbers dropped to 1 out of 10 chance of downs 9 out of 10 times baby would be fine and that 1 chance shouldn't ruin everything. Your baby is your baby no matter what happens and you will love them so very much.
Please know I will be thinking of you guys and please keep us updated
I was just talking to my u/s tech about this type of things. She said they are finding soo many more things because of the technology. And a lot of them were always there we just couldn't see them. It's nice to have the reassurance of follow up tests or the advanced notice if something is genetically wrong but it's rough on the parents either way. She told me all this before we started the u/s just to calm me a little in case we found a marker.
Love and Prayers.
I can't tell you girls how much your responses mean to me. I really appreciate all of the stories and words of encouragement.
DH and I have a little time to evaluate our options as far as the next steps we take with testing... I guess we have to ask for guidance to help us make the right decision.
I will keep you all posted. Thanks again!
we found out almost 2 weeks ago that we are having a girl as well! she also has clubbed feet and enlarged ventricles in her brain... each on their own being not a big deal, but combined make them think there may be a chromosomal abnormality... we've been to a genetic counselor and have a follow-up ultrasound next tuesday, and an mri 10 days later... i honestly know how you are feeling... i haven't cried in a couple of days but it wouldn't take much to bring me back there...
the only advice i can give is to feel how you want to feel... none of it is wrong... i have a very positive husband and family as well but i got tired of hearing "everything will be fine" because, well, they just can't know that... i've tried to find a happy medium of being positive and hopeful, but being concerned enough to not just assume everything will be fine (i don't know if that will make sense to anyone else)...
good luck, and stay busy!
We also had two soft markers for a chromosomal issue (different ones), and we were terrified. We waited 3 weeks to have a second u/s, and when they were still there, we decided on the amnio. I am 100% certain it was the right decision. It was super fast and easy, and virtually painless, and they got us our answer within 3 days.... all clear.
The amnio is much less scary in real life. They use an u/s to see where the baby is, and go in on the opposite side. I didn't even feel the needle, just had mild cramping the next two days. I could watch the whole time on the screen, and see the needle was far away from LO.
We had a perinatalogist (specialize in high risk pregnancies) whose miscarriage rate was closer to 1/1000 than the typically 1/200. Either way, our risk of a chromosomal problem was way larger than our risk from the amnio. After 3 weeks of terror, it was absolutely worth the peace of mind.
I'm going to make an AWESOME big brother.
First, Congrats on the little girl!
Second, I just found out today when my OB went over the ultrasound that my LO has an echogenic focus as well. She referred me to a Peri to get a better look. My LO also has a choroid plexus cyst on her brain, but I was told this will likely dissolve. I'll have another u/s in 10 weeks to see if its gone. I had AFP testing at 16 weeks (it was negative), so she doesn't think it's anything to be alarmed with. I hope everything turns out okay for your LO.