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April 2015 Moms
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Echogenic Bowel at anatomy scan

npagetnpaget member
in April 2015 Moms
I recently had an ultrasound of our sweet baby which we discovered is going to be a boy! The doctor said he was on target weight and his heart was good but noticed an echogenic bowel (or brightness of the bowel). He told me not to be concerned but it can be a soft marker for Down syndrome or other genetic abnormalities. I'm torn because I wanted no genetic testing since my insurance doesn't cover it and because I want to keep my baby no matter what, but they make me feel like I'm silly for not wanting to test. I mean, knowing isn't going to cure the baby. I'm also confident that I will figure out what ever needs to be done for my baby. We are seeing the perinatalogist again in 3 more weeks to see if it clears up. I'm thinking positively because everything else was fine. Hoping for the best for our little guy!
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Re: Echogenic Bowel at anatomy scan

  • missabmissab member
    It sounds like you have your answer -- if it makes no difference in how you'll proceed with your pregnancy, the only point in testing would be to either confirm the possibility of an issue or set your mind at ease that there is no actual issue. If getting answers immediately is not something you need, don't be swayed by others. Trust your instincts and don't spend unnecessary money if you're able to wait a few weeks and potentially get some answers then. (full disclosure, I had literally every genetic test under the sun done for this pregnancy (maternit21, amnio, microarray, quad, etc) because it was all covered and I was curious -- BUT that is by no means the right path for everyone and I don't think anyone should be swayed to find out that information -- women for generations have been having babies without such an option available to them, so I don't know why it should come as such a shock that we just might be fine with whatever happens come what may!!) Just my opinion - follow your instincts.

    That said, is there something they could learn - say, would there be a NICU team in place at your birth to try to fix an issue immediately if you found out? If it might have an impact on the safest delivery of your baby, perhaps that's a question to ask. But it sounds like that bridge could probably be crossed in a few weeks after your perinatologist appointment, regardless.

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  • npagetnpaget member
    That's a great point and a question I'll ask the doctor at next visit if anything should alert him further. I know the hospital I want to deliver is one of the best for NICU in town which is part of the reason I chose it. Thanks for your opinion, it's greatly appreciated!
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  • Babykells3Babykells3 member
    An echogenic bowel can be very common in a normal healthy pregnancy as well, and disappear with no lingering effects. We re going through this right now with an echogenic heart, short limbs, and high risk genetic blood screen. My OB said the really big soft markers to look for are fluid at the back of the neck, extra fluid on the brain, a choroid plexus cyst, and a missing nasal bone. If those were not an issue I wouldn't worry too much about it and wait until your next ultrasound and go from there, there's a very good chance that it will be gone. Good luck!
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  • pnutgpnutg member
    Wishing you good news in 3 weeks!
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  • Mel&John2013Mel&John2013 member
    I'm sorry you have to go through this concern, sending positive T&Ps.

    I'd wait until after speaking with the perinatologist, but I also agree with pp regarding checking with your doctor to see if there are medical reasons to get more information (like having a specialist available at birth, or special equipment). It's always better to be prepared for those things instead of surprised, and that might help you make your decision on how to proceed with testing.
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  • npagetnpaget member
    Thank you all so much. Each of your comments have helped me so much.
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  • ajs89ajs89 member
    I am in the same position. Just had an ultrasound at 18 weeks and said they found a bright spot in the intestines. The doctor said the baby could have swallowed blood and is probably nothing. Of course now we are really worried and have to wait a few weeks for more answers.
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  • fourthtimesacharmfourthtimesacharm member
    T&P everything turns out ok.
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  • npagetnpaget member
    I finally just accepted that no matter what this my baby and if he had issues I will make the best decisions for his care. But I'm thinking positively and hoping for the best at his next ultrasound.
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  • hllywgir4hllywgir4 member
    We are in the same boat. We found out yesterday at our anatomy scan that our little boy has an echogenic bowel and a cerebral cyst. We have to go to a high risk ob to get another ultra sound done and I had to get a penta-screening done. Waiting and not knowing for sure if it's nothing or something to be concerned about it the worst part.
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  • StucasStucas member
    Just wanted to give you guys some hope. My little guy had an echogenic bowel at the a/s and we found out yesterday that it is gone. I was worried too even though my dr told me not to, and it turns out she was right. I hope everyone gets good news at their follow ups :)
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  • taahirataahira member
    Wishing you all the best for your next appointment.
    I just wanted to add. I went ahead and had genetic testing. Not that the results would have changed my decision to keep out baby. That was never in question. I just wanted to be prepared, should we need to be in a different hospital, have certain specialists on hand at the time of birth. So there wasn't any surprises and people scrambling to help us.
    Good luck!! >:D<
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  • npagetnpaget member
    That's good, I'm glad you got the test because those are all great reasons for doing so. I hope for the best for those going through this and I'm glad I'm not alone. We have another ultrasound Dec. 17th.
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