Level 2 Ultrasound after A/S

Lusitano8 · December 2015

Hi all,

We had our A/S yesterday, the u/s tech said everything was looking good and that baby is growing at the correct rate. When we reviewed the results with my OB she said there was a shadow on the heart (she called it an EIF) and scheduled a level 2 u/s at a high risk facility so they could look at it more in depth. She said the EIF is one of the markers for down syndrome, but didn't mention anything else looking abnormal. Of course I'm a little freaked out, not expecting to hear that something is abnormal. From what I can tell of the markers this one does not have a huge correlation to down syndrome and can show up for many healthy babies.

We did not do the NT scan at 12 weeks because my risk was so low being 25 and having 0 family history. I'm hoping the next U/S will be conclusive and relive my worry.

Wanted to share and see if anyone else has had this experience. Staying away from Dr. Google! I'm trying my best to stay calm and positive before the next U/S before Christmas.

Sunshinebins · December 2015

I don't have direct experience (at least not yet since my A/S is next week!) but I've seen many a posts that people have to do level 2 ultrasounds for various findings and they turn out totally fine! It's a marker, so you will just get an updated risk assessment. But there's always the possibility that the specialist won't even find the EIF on their fancy machine. I know it's hard not to worry but it sounds like they are just being careful!
Keeping my fingers crossed for you!!

js8812 · December 2015

FX'd for good results. That's a long time to wait between scans... try to stay busy so the time goes by quickly. The waiting game is the worst.

Bluejay3030 · December 2015

I don't have direct experience with this type of marker, but I do know from experience that doctors and MFM specialists usually take the cautious approach and investigate further, even when the probability of an issue is low. Fx that your level 2 ultrasound goes well. Hang in there, mama!

allisonmunson94 · December 2015

My doctors office automatically schedules a level 2 ultrasound for 20 weeks, or they say everyone gets one. They call it the anatomy scan but it is a level 2 u/s. Is this not standard practice?? I hope they would tell me if they saw something they were trying to get a better look at. Good luck to you with your scan, and I hope everything turns out fine!

Lusitano8 · December 2015

allisonmunson94 said:

My doctors office automatically schedules a level 2 ultrasound for 20 weeks, or they say everyone gets one. They call it the anatomy scan but it is a level 2 u/s. Is this not standard practice?? I hope they would tell me if they saw something they were trying to get a better look at. Good luck to you with your scan, and I hope everything turns out fine!

Are you at a high-risk pregnancy office? Mine schedules the anatomy scan between 18-20 weeks. If they find something then they schedule a level 2 and send you to a high risk pregnancy office for the next tests. Most OB's in the area have the same practice.

LadySamLady · December 2015

@Lusitano8 I don't have any advice or experience but just wanted to say that I've got my fingers crossed for you and sending lots of positive vibes your way!! Please keep us posted.

maddenmm · December 2015

My anatomy scan is a level 2 ultrasound at the maternal fetal specialists. It was like that for my last pregnancy too. No complications, I think that's just how they do it in my area/hospital network.

Edited to add: Fingers crossed that everything turns out well with your little one!

Delitachan · December 2015

Mine already referred me to a Level 2 ultrasound in another city, only because I'm 35. He didn't find anything the last sonogram, or at least he didn't tell me. Then again, at the last appointment, he asked, "so did you decide to do the level 2 ultrasound after all?" indicating that it was just a recommendation. Whew. The only thing is I am not 18 weeks yet and that's when the Level 2 is supposed to be done.

jessiedee13 · December 2015

Ok I feel like a complete idiot (and I'm sorry for hijacking this over it, but it's bugging me), Google has been no help...what is a level 2 ultrasound? I mean...what's the difference?

Edit because I thought I already commented on this, didnt...I hope your little one is alright and everything turns out just fine

osmama456 · December 2015

my a/s is a level 2 also - done at the hospital we'll be delivering at. I thought they were the same thing? a level 2 is just a more detailed ultrasound.

ashkozhi · January 2016

Hello..am also on the same boat. But the doc said that the only way to conclusively confirm that there are no issues would be a test that would need to take the fluid out of the amniotic sac. And since my NT scan showed low risk I don't have to worry. Am just as worried inside my head like you, and completely understand what you are going through..
I decided against the invasive test, and am keeping fingers crossed and praying. Am sure you also have nothing to worry about. Take care

nbgmom · January 2016

I had my 20 week scan and everything looked good except for a choroid plexus cyst on his brain, which can be a normal variation but is also a soft marker for trisomy 18. They said they *might* refer me for a level 2. Then the next day my bloodwork came back with elevated risk for spina bifida, so I got my level 2. The cyst had already started to dissipate, and the spinal column was closed up. Those soft markers are just that, and as someone said above, they just like to do a detailed follow up to make sure nothing else is a red flag. Good luck!!

samclrk21 · January 2016

Hi! I'm an ultrasound tech and an EIF is an echogenic intraventricular focus usually in the left ventricle of the heart. Our radiologists don't make a big deal about them because if everything else is normal and it's a stand alone finding things are more than likely ok. But they will recommend a follow up fetal echo ultrasound just to make sure nothing else is wrong with baby's heart. Hope this helps and good luck! I'm sure baby will be happy and healthy

lindsaymarut · January 2016

Feeling so relieved after reading the previous post - thank you. The ultrasound tech found the same thing and I was referred to the hospital for a level 2 scan. Fingers crossed everything comes back OK.

gemini2005 · January 2016

I had a repeat ultrasound yesterday (not level II but the tech said the equipment and radiologist were very good) and they found an EIF on the baby's heart. At my original scan, the tech couldn't get the heart pictures due to position so I had to have another scan ten days after. I was reassured that it is nothing to worry about since it's the only soft marker they saw.
I had the Harmony DNA test done around 12 weeks and it came back very low risk for Down's Syndrome which would be the main thing to worry about when an EIF is diagnosed. I was relieved that the heart wasn't structurally abnormal and all of the other things on the ultrasound were perfect. Most likely, I won't even need another ultrasound or any further testing since the doctor is not concerned at all.
I hope your next ultrasound goes well. Please update when you have news!

gracehopper27 · January 2016

They found two spots on my baby's heart at my anatomy scan. I was pretty anxious about it, especially because the doctor did a poor job of explaining how common it is and how it can mean nothing without other signs. I opted to take the MaterniT21 test for peace of mind amd everything came back just fine. My advice is to try to stay as calm as possible and if you didn't do any genetic testing previously (I didn't), consider taking a non-invasive test. It seems very risky and not worth it to do amnio without other markers.

Lusitano8 · January 2016

Thanks all for the support and sharing your experiences. It was a long wait between scans and was great to hear all the reassurance. We had the level 2 U/S and the high-risk doc showed us that the EIF they saw at my OB's office was not truly a marker because it was not bright enough to meet the qualifications of an EIF, and most likely was a reflection the machine picked up. Guess my the tech at my OB was over-cautious and it's a common finding.

JennyS86 · January 2016

I had my anatomy scan today, and they found an EIF on our little one's heart as well. I hadn't done the genetic testing, so the MFM offered for me to do the blood testing now if it would make me feel better. I will discuss it with my husband tonight, and maybe call my OB tomorrow. It was the only soft marker they found, so they are not ordering a follow-up ultrasound.

gemini2005 · January 2016

@JennyS86 Please update here and let us know what you decide to do with the testing. I'm sure everything is fine but the genetic testing is worth it just for the piece of mind. I have my OB appointment next Friday so I'm hoping I won't require any more tests or ultrasounds- it's just too stressful!

JennyS86 · January 2016

@ gemini2005 Thanks for your support! I talked to DH about the EIF, and his gut reaction was to move on, not stress about it, and avoid further testing because we are not planning to terminate the pregnancy anyway. That was a pretty strong stance from DH, but he also said he would support me 100% if I wanted to get the blood test done. We both agreed that the amnio option is not right for us. So that's where we are tonight - I will update as soon as we know anything!
Question - How long does the genetic screening bloodwork/MMS take to come back? Thanks Ladies!

gemini2005 · January 2016

JennyS86 said:

@ gemini2005 Thanks for your support! I talked to DH about the EIF, and his gut reaction was to move on, not stress about it, and avoid further testing because we are not planning to terminate the pregnancy anyway. That was a pretty strong stance from DH, but he also said he would support me 100% if I wanted to get the blood test done. We both agreed that the amnio option is not right for us. So that's where we are tonight - I will update as soon as we know anything!
Question - How long does the genetic screening bloodwork/MMS take to come back? Thanks Ladies!

Honestly, I agree with your DH. It's an extremely weak marker and if it's isolated I truly believe there's no elevated risk. Anyway, our results took about 10 days (possibly even 7...I can't remember). If it's going to help you sleep better at night I'd say go for it but it's highly doubtful there's anything wrong. GL!

JennyS86 · January 2016

Thanks @ gemini2005 We both agreed that we aren't going to loose sleep over the EIF! The top of my insomnia list is still pre-term labor, so we will call that a success for now! Sleep well!

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