Right Aortic Arch

annastrode · January 2015

Hi,
I'm currently pregnant with identical twins. At our 18 week scan Baby B showed that he has a right aortic arch. The doctors have told us this can be linked to 22q syndrome or DiGeorges. I'm scared out of my mind. Has anyone had any experience with this?

LexiSophie55 · January 2015

My son had a heart defect, but not this specific one.

Did they schedule you for a follow up fetal echo? Make sure to get all your questions answered by your doctor - it helps a lot.

I will be thinking of you - keep us updated.

annastrode · January 2015

Thanks ladies. We see a cardiologist next week, hopefully they can provide some more answers. Such s stressful time, I just want both babies to be safe, happy and healthy!

LexiSophie55 · January 2015

annastrode said:

Thanks ladies. We see a cardiologist next week, hopefully they can provide some more answers. Such s stressful time, I just want both babies to be safe, happy and healthy!

Glad they were able to get you in quickly. I know how you feel.

It always made me feel better to have a plan. "If the u/s shows this, what is the next step?" "What are we looking for/monitoring if it's ______?"

I'm hoping your measurements were wrong and you don't need to worry about any of it.

Good luck!

mb1383 · January 2015

FX that everything turns out ok. I will be thinking of you and your LO

wingardium3 · January 2015

So sorry you are going through this. FX that everything turns out ok. Thinking of you and LO.

littlecookie · January 2015

Thinking of you and baby!

AidanMarlene · January 2015

I don't have any advice, but you and your little one will be in my thoughts and prayers.

sb184 · January 2015

Sorry that you are going through this. I hope you get good answers next week. I will be praying for a good outcome.

jennygirl9er · February 2015

Hi all, I am completely new to posting on message boards, but our son was diagnosed with a right aortic arch yesterday so I hopped on here to see if anyone was dealing with a similar experience-- We had a fetal echo on Monday and the Dr. was concerned about her findings so after a very vague explanation and zero answers to our questions she referred us to a pediatric cardiologist for a repeat echo which they performed yesterday. The cardiologist confirmed that our little guy does, in fact, have a right aortic arch... we are now awaiting results on my blood work (a FISH test) looking for 22q11/digeorges-- (I am currently 25 wks 2 days) @annastrode, it seems we are sort of in the same boat from your last post- - I hope you guys were able to get some answers from the cardiologist. Please feel free to contact me if you want to talk about it at all : )

leelee72 · February 2015

Our little one was diagnosed at 20 wks with a heart condition as well. We went to CHOP (Children's hospital of Philadelphia) that same week and had a fetal echo done by their pediatric cardiology team. We have a follow up on the 18th to check jow things are progressing. I will tell you once we went to CHOP we were so much more informed. We were told that there is an 80% rate of a chromosomal issue with this diagnosis as well so we have an appt with the mfm team next week. I am right there with you with all the worries and stress that comes along with these things. All we can do is stay positive. Pray for each other and help.one another get through it all. At first I didn't want to talk about it even with my hubby. But I found out the more I talk about it the better I feel. Alot less stressed. I find myself looking at all the positives. I am here if anyone needs anything .

kgabhart · February 2015

Prayers for all of you ladies and your little ones!

Eda0526 · February 2015

My friend has a son with 22d and he's adorable. They also went to CHOP to see doctors and get a full analysis.

blankenbakerh · February 2015

Thoughts and prayers to your LOs!!! My daughter was born with a heart defect. We didn't know it until she was born. She is doing well though! Her heart is normal now. She is a vibrant 7yr old:) She was born with a hole the size of a quarter in her bottom chamber. ( a hole that large is very big for an infant) She had VSD. I don't have any advice specific to your situation since they are two different birth defects but wanted to let you know that I will praying for you and the LOs.

leelee72 · February 2015

Vsd is one of the 2 issues they diagnosed our little one with. Along with another possible issue. Prayers and support make so much difference.

blankenbakerh · February 2015

leelee72 said:
Vsd is one of the 2 issues they diagnosed our little one with. Along with another possible issue. Prayers and support make so much difference.

Will be praying for your LO! Were they able to tell you if they were small or larger holes? ASD and VSD can be fairly common. My cardiologist said that the holes are usually small and will close on their own after birth. Larger VSDs like my daughters usually require surgery to patch the holes though as they will not close by themselves. Although my daughter was very blessed! She was on a diuretic up until 11 months old. ( medication to keep fluid from building on her lungs) She hadn't had surgery yet. When she was about 12 months old they said she had some tissue appear that was creating a net like effect and slowing the blood flow enough her heart was functioning fairly normally. They took her off the meds and she did fine. They monitored her and it took 7yrs but the tissue finally grew together and patched the hole on its own. Again she was super blessed! This is not the norm with large VSDs but I believe in the power of prayer! The doctor said her heart is now normal:) I had and echocardiogram with this LO and they said there is the possibility of a small VSD. It was hard to tell with the baby moving around so much. The cardiologist said that it looked like everything was normal but he couldn't rule out a small one. He didn't feel concerned about it though. He told me to have them check for a heart murmur when she is born and if they hear anything to have them send her back to him for another echocardiogram. He said it will be easier for them to get the pictures they need after she is born. I have been concerned but I trust the cardiologist. It was not easy not knowing if my DD would need surgery the last few years. I was always waiting for them to tell us it was time but thankfully that didn't happen. I am hoping there is no VSD with this LO and that if there is its a small one that will close after birth. I shared my DDs story with you because I wanted to let you know that there is always hope! They have come so far in medicine to take care of LOs. It can be hard but keep faith and hope because it helps to make the journey somewhat easier. I will be praying for your LO

leelee72 · February 2015

Thank you so much for the info and support. It truly means alot. They didn't state size. However the dr did say it's on the mild size right now and don't think the baby will need surgery til atleast about 4-8 months old. They are going to monitor and see how it grows. They said it could grow more together it could get worse or stay the same. They would prefer me to deliver there in order to just make sure everything goes well at delivery. I am glad to heat all went well with your little one. And wish the same for your current little one. I found it easier to talk
about and look at the positive things then to hold it
in and stress. I also Appreciate all the advice, stories and support everyone provides on here. It is truly helpful. And you realize you are not the only one going through these things. Thank you again so much.

blankenbakerh · February 2015

I will be praying it gets smaller and grows together so maybe your LO can avoid surgery

abeglin · February 2015

Thoughts and prayers for all of you and your sweet babies!!

Kinser83 · May 2015

Our baby girl was measuring small in March and we went to see a specialist who noticed a difference with her heart. After a fetal echo at Children's Mercy Hospital in KC we learned she has a VSD and a hypo-plastic aortic arch. She'll need surgery early for the arch and then at 4-6 mos for the VSD. It was very hard to discuss at first, but it gets easier every day. I still have moments where I break down, but I truly believe we are in the best possible care and knowing in advance can only help the doctors be prepared. I know have weekly visits with ultrasounds and monthly visits for fetal echos. We are being induced on June 11, if I make it that long. I have high levels of amniotic fluid and am measuring at 38 weeks, but I'm only at 34 weeks. Crossing my fingers for no pre-term labor, we need this little girl to keep growing. Best of luck to you all and each of you are in my thoughts and prayers. I'm anxious for the day we all come back to post our success stories and tales of our little ones being happy and healthy!

leelee72 · May 2015

Just stay positive. As we progressed so did our lo. Still has large vsd and will need surgery but we r 37 weeks and healthy. About 6lb we will be induced on 18th due to my age if nothing g happens prior. You will b in my thoughts keep us posted.

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