Scary perinatology visit today - sorry, long

sdlaura · October 2013

I'm not telling my family (other than DH, of course) about this because I don't want them to worry yet...but I'm really worried. I'm 25 weeks pregnant today and had a perinatology growth scan because I have an abnormal cord insertion (velamentous). Baby looks fine in terms of growth and is measuring in the 76th percentile.

Now onto the scary part. A bit of background - at the anatomy scan with our first pregnancy in 2010, the perinatologists detected complex cardiac anomalies. They made it very clear at the time how serious they were. We had a series of follow-up visits with cardiac experts, all of whom told us that our baby would not survive long after birth, even with any amount of surgery, and we made the very difficult decision to end the pregnancy at 21 weeks rather than put the baby through any pain after birth. Since that time, we have had a healthy daughter with no known cardiac issues. With this pregnancy, the baby's heart looked normal at our anatomy scan at 18 weeks, and also looked normal at our fetal echocardiogram at the children's hospital at 20 weeks.

So at today's appointment, I noticed that the U/S tech was suddenly focusing a lot of attention on the baby's heart, and his demeanor changed a little bit. Given that I wasn't there to look at the heart, it was strange, so I asked him about it, and he said there was one thing that looked strange - the aortic artery is larger than the pulmonary artery, when it should be the other way around, or the same size. He brought in the perinatologist, who is a cardiac sonography expert (we know her from our first pregnancy). She had him test a whole bunch of other heart-related stuff, which all looked normal, but agreed that the aortic artery was larger than the pulmonary artery, and that was abnormal. She has the pediatric cardiologist who did our fetal echo at the children's hospital on speed dial, so she called her and asked her to get us in ASAP for a follow-up. She didn't want to provide any info on outcomes until we have more info.

According to Dr. Google, an aortic artery larger than a pulmonary artery is a strong indicator of congenital heart disease. It seems like it would strange to have this particular abnormality, however, without any other associated abnormalities. So we are crossing our fingers that it was just a strange view or something.

It's so strange that without the other reason for having an ultrasound today, I would be blissfully ignorant. At least if it is an indicator of a problem, we will know in advance and can deliver someplace where they can care for the baby's issues right away. Ugh, not what I was expecting as a result of today's appointment. Thanks for reading all of this!

gollywollypog · October 2013

Oh no, hon, I am so sorry! How stressful for you, especially given the loss of your first. I'm sorry. Praying it's nothing, or at the very least easily taken care of. You'll be in my thoughts.

alrighthamilton · October 2013

I'm so sorry you are going through this stress. Before having Kate, I couldn't really grasp the magnitude of worry and stress that a child's health brings to the parent. I'm sincerely hoping all turns out well for you and your little baby.

amaite · October 2013

Ugh, L...I'm so sorry there is a potential concern. I still feel sick every time I think back to my a/s scan with ds when we found out there were major cardiac abnormalities. I also hope that it is just a strange view and that everything will be fine. It is really hard for them to see what is going on in there with everything being so small, and with their doing the ultrasound both through you and through lo. I wish you the best of luck! Keep us posted.

Maizey06 · October 2013

I hope that everything turn out alright. I cannot imagine what you are going through, especially since you have been through something similar a few years ago. Keep us posted.

Megispreg · October 2013

I am so sorry. I will be keeping you in my thoughts, and hoping for the best.

sdlaura · October 2013

amaite said:

Ugh, L...I'm so sorry there is a potential concern. I still feel sick every time I think back to my a/s scan with ds when we found out there were major cardiac abnormalities. I also hope that it is just a strange view and that everything will be fine. It is really hard for them to see what is going on in there with everything being so small, and with their doing the ultrasound both through you and through lo. I wish you the best of luck! Keep us posted.

Amaite, do you mind me asking what specific defect your DS had? No problem if you don't want to share....

amaite · October 2013

L12541 said:

amaite said:

Ugh, L...I'm so sorry there is a potential concern. I still feel sick every time I think back to my a/s scan with ds when we found out there were major cardiac abnormalities. I also hope that it is just a strange view and that everything will be fine. It is really hard for them to see what is going on in there with everything being so small, and with their doing the ultrasound both through you and through lo. I wish you the best of luck! Keep us posted.

Amaite, do you mind me asking what specific defect your DS had? No problem if you don't want to share....

Not at all. He ended up having tetralogy of fallot, which we learned of the day after he was born. The three fetal echos had all "confirmed" transposition of the great arteries with pulmonary stenosis and ventricular septal defects. The change in diagnosis when the echo was performed directly on him was a surprise for everyone.

sdlaura · October 2013

amaite said:

amaite said:

Ugh, L...I'm so sorry there is a potential concern. I still feel sick every time I think back to my a/s scan with ds when we found out there were major cardiac abnormalities. I also hope that it is just a strange view and that everything will be fine. It is really hard for them to see what is going on in there with everything being so small, and with their doing the ultrasound both through you and through lo. I wish you the best of luck! Keep us posted.

Amaite, do you mind me asking what specific defect your DS had? No problem if you don't want to share....
Not at all. He ended up having tetralogy of fallot, which we learned of the day after he was born. The three fetal echos had all "confirmed" transposition of the great arteries with pulmonary stenosis and ventricular septal defects. The change in diagnosis when the echo was performed directly on him was a surprise for everyone.

Thanks. I've read a lot about ToF. I hope he's doing well.

amaite · October 2013

L12541 said:

amaite said:

L12541 said:

amaite said:

Ugh, L...I'm so sorry there is a potential concern. I still feel sick every time I think back to my a/s scan with ds when we found out there were major cardiac abnormalities. I also hope that it is just a strange view and that everything will be fine. It is really hard for them to see what is going on in there with everything being so small, and with their doing the ultrasound both through you and through lo. I wish you the best of luck! Keep us posted.

Amaite, do you mind me asking what specific defect your DS had? No problem if you don't want to share....
Not at all. He ended up having tetralogy of fallot, which we learned of the day after he was born. The three fetal echos had all "confirmed" transposition of the great arteries with pulmonary stenosis and ventricular septal defects. The change in diagnosis when the echo was performed directly on him was a surprise for everyone.

Thanks. I've read a lot about ToF. I hope he's doing well.

He is, thank you. I hope you will find out at the cardiac appointment that your lo is heart healthy.

AmySmolos · October 2013

Prayers all is fine with your LO.

SJandVA · October 2013

Prayers for your little one. Hoping that you get some good news at the follow up appointment.

zbeesma86 · October 2013

I know it's easier said than done but try to relax. Thoughts, prayers, & good vibes coming your way!

ccam · October 2013

Hope everything turns out ok!!

TechieGirl1 · October 2013

I hope that it's just a weird view, but if not my mom has that exact issue. She has had some heart related issues, but none of them are related to this particular issue. So it is possible to be fine even with the vein and artery dimensions flipped.

jodegaard · October 2013

Hugs to you! And thoughts and prayers that your LO is healthy!

rp-chicago-mom · October 2013

How scary for you! I'll keep you in my thoughts. I can't even imagine how afraid you must be right now. (((hugs))) KUP.

stlmomma27 · October 2013

I am sorry! I hope all goes well at your future appts.

abbyful · October 2013

(((hugs))) I hope everything turns out okay!

shakinros · October 2013

So scary. I'm sorry you're dealing with this. Will be thinking good thoughts for you and your family.

melmarie26 · October 2013

Sending thoughts and prayers.

I can't imagine how stressed you are. You are handling everything so well. Let us know when you can what the specialist says.

I'm so sorry you're having to go through this.

NeneCakies · October 2013

In our experience, things are not always what they seem on ultrasound. T&Ps that the follow up goes well.

cedenton · October 2013

I'm so sorry, L! I hope everything turns out well.

MoFree · October 2013

Ultrasounds routinely yield false positives that scare the crap out of expectant parents and then everything turns out just fine. T and P that is your situation.