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2nd Trimester
Lesleyjking
member
Feeling stressed re Downs
Lesleyjking
member
Hi guys. As you know, last wk they found a bright spot on my babies heart that could indicate downs, but could be normal too. I am going to be 37 at time of delivery. I know the only way to know for sure is to do an amnio but I dont want to risk my pregnancy when if it is downs, its not going to change anything aside the fact of us "knowing". My NT and labs were favorable, and neck is still measuring good- but that doesnt rule it out. Also, wks prior they saw a cyst on the brain which could indicate trisomy 18, they still have not seen other findings to indicate this so I am not as worried about this as there is almost always another finding on the US to indicate t18.
Im trying to be positive and trust in God, but its hard to not think that my baby may not be healthy- you know, all the "what if's".
Anyway, just had to let my thoughts out tonight....
Kingsley Kennedy Wolff born March 16, 2012!!!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Feeling stressed re Downs
I had both of those things show up on the 20 week ultrasound my last pregnancy and I gave birth to a healthy baby girl
We opted out of the amino as well because it wasn't worth the risk to us but it was hard not knowing.
I'm sorry you're going through this stress! I can relate a bit to the stress you are feeling.
I had an elevated measurement on the NT scan, but my blood work came back normal. My doctors keep reminding me that the measurement is indicative of a possible problem regardless of the good blood work numbers. Hopefully we will be able to rule out more at the anatomy scan and echocardiogram (that is standard procedure at my practice if you have an elevated measurement). The waiting and wondering is so awful.
We aren't going to do any CVS or amnio testing either. DH had a daughter in a previous relationship that passed away after an amnio.
Well, I definitely think you're doing the right thing by not doing the amnio. I guess in theory it's nice to get a heads up about something like that, but isn't it true that they're not completely 100% accurate anyways? Well even if they are, why risk baby!!!
I bet the baby's fine, though, really - mine had that cyst, and the doctor has brushed it off like "nothing" - just something to be monitored, nothing more. I've also heard about those spots on the heart as being very normal. I started having contractions this week (all is well now) and of course I was like shoot, the cyst and now THIS? I was like man there has to be a connection. The doctor said there really wasn't any at all - so maybe it's just a matter of when it rains, it pours. : )
I'm so sorry. With my first son, we had the NT scan and everything went great. We went in for our big a/s and I felt like issues kept coming up. Our tech was kind of strange and didn't say a lot-- and then she brought in the residing OB to talk with us (it was at an ultrasound center, not my OB's office). He said the nuchal measurement was high, they couldn't exactly tell but it looked like a possible hole in the baby's heart, and his hands seemed to be in fists most of the ultrasound (all markers of downs). That OB took another look and decided he did open his hands, so maybe that wasn't an issue. They couldn't tell about the heart, so they scheduled an echo for a closer look. And the nuchal measurement is not re-measured after 21 weeks (I was almost at that point), so there was nothing we could do about it. The OB that day was insisted we do amnio, I scheduled it as we left, and cried for hours. I called my OB and she called me right back, was great, and talked me down. She said she didn't agree with the amnio call, that we should wait and see how the heart appt. went first. That appt was scheduled 2 weeks later, the longest 2 weeks of my life. That appt finally came, and they could not find a hole anywhere. So I went on with my pregnancy knowing that the only issue was the nuchal measurement, but I still had no idea of he was ok or not. It was SO miserable not knowing. I had a scheduled c-section because he was breech, and while my DH was always optomistic, my mom worried right along with me and knew how hard it was for me. She waited in the waiting room for my surgery to finish, and the nurse went and got her, and all I remember is us both BAWLING as soon as she saw him. He was/is perfect, no issues whatsoever-- but we literally worried for 20 weeks.
I've learned since, that these higher measurements happen a lot. Babies with downs generally have at least three strong markers, and a lot of moms are told that the baby "could be at risk" and that sends us all into freak out mode. I'm so sorry you're going through this, and honestly chances are extremely high that your baby is perfect. Hang in there.
https://www.sequenom.com/home/media/news/
(((hugs))) and good luck!
We did choose to have the amnio for confirmation and our baby does have Down syndrome. We had lots of markers on the ultrasound. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions!
P.S. Choosing to have an amnio does not always mean the couple would choose to terminate and it's a very personal decision, not something someone should be judged for. They are very safe (depending on your doctor or hospital) and not all moms who choose to have an amnio done are careless about whether or not their baby is in the 0.25% of miscarriage risk.
Also, since we have a confirmed diagnosis we are monitored very closely and have the opportunity to make all of the connections we need to make before our little girl gets here. There are definitely advantages and disadvantages to having the amnio!
:::steps off soapbox:::