I just got a call from my midwife that they found a Blake Pouch Cyst in the baby’s brain in my 20 week ultrasound last week.
I have to go next week to a more specialized ultrasound office. In the meantime I am completely freaking out.
She said it could be a potential marker of downs, though they saw no other markers. They won’t know much more until they do another ultrasound. Has anyone had any experience with this?
I started googling but ended up with lots of medical journals and then I also realized I am probably going to freak out even more by googling.
Oh no, that sounds really stressful. Im sorry you have to wait a week to find out more. I don't have experience with it either but hopefully your follow-up will provide clearer answers. And yes, Dr. Google can be your worst enemy.
I am so sorry. I do not have any personal experience but you and your LO will be in my thoughts and prayers. I hope the week passes quickly for you and that your next US brings good news.
I am still waiting to have it scheduled, which is just adding to my anxiety. I hate not having information and playing the waiting game.
My mom did do some research and found that the cysts are rare and easily treatable. I still hate the possibility of a newborn needing any kind of surgery but I am feeling less fearful that this could have fatal results.
@Ceridwen77 I really hope I am party of the lucky 50%. Silver lining is I will likely have more ultrasounds than I did with my other pregnancies so I will get to see the baby’s sweet face more often.
We found a Choroid Plexus Cyst during our initial anatomy scan. Still hoping that resolves for us as well. That's the extent of my knowledge about cysts though.
Have you spoken to a perinatologist? Or a genetic counselor? If not, I recommend ask to speak to one pronto.
Also, were there any other markers for trisomy 21? Abnormalities anywhere else? Have you done an Alpha Fetal Protein blood test? How were the nucal folds? Normal?
From all I've learned about cysts on the brain, in the absence of any other abnormality or pause, your risk for a trisomy issue isn't that much increased than it was without the cyst. That's why I say talk to a perinatologist or genetic counselor. You can also elect to go for the serum genetic test. Your insurance might cover it now that there is "cause".
@thedawkterswife I have not spoken to any specialists yet- only my midwife telling me that they found the cyst on the scan. I am going to get another ultrasound at a different office that is more specialized so this is good information to have.
So far no other markers have been found. There have been no other abnormalities but they also didn’t get all the images of the heart they needed because they baby wouldn’t get in the right position. They told me at the ultrasound I would probably have to come back for another ultrasound because they didn’t get enough images of the heart but didn’t mention seeing anything abnormal on the scan at the time.
I’m a mess about it but my husband is keeping things calm. I have only told him and my parents (and obviously this board). I feel so fragile and overly emotional- I know I need to stay positive but I can’t help but feel scared.
I'm so sorry you're having to go through this. Obviously, every pregnancy is different, but my ex-sister in law was told this with my youngest nephew, it was monitored throughout and in the last few weeks it disappeared. Babies are amazing beings that go through so many changes... have faith and sending you all the thoughts and prayers and creepy internet hugs I can
Angel Babies 1&2 2/14/09 DS born 3/11 Angel Baby 3 6/28/11 9/5/17 BFP!! divorced October 2014 9/6/17 hCG 88 progesterone 9.1 (prometrium started) Married DH 10/15 DH's DS born 6/09 9/8/17 hCG 242!!! Not preventing since 11/15 EDD 5/8/18 Adjusted 5/15/18 TTC since 1/1/16 9/27/17 we have a heart beat!
Hoping for the best for you and your little one. Not exactly the same experience, but I was told after my anatomy scan that there was a soft marker for Down's found in the baby's heart, but similar to your experience-there were no other markers or indicators found, so the midwife told me it's an extremely common finding and has a very high false positive rate. Keeping you in my thoughts, keep us updated.
Me, 35 Hubs, 32 Married June 2012 BFP June 2013- blighted ovum, D&C Aug 2013 BFP Oct 2013- twins! A&H born May 2014 BFP Aug 2017- EDD 5/8/17
I was able to get an appointment today at 2 which is a bit of a relief because the next available appointment wasn’t until next week and I don’t know how I would be able to focus.
I was told we will get to meet with the doctor or a genetic counselor.
The news of an issue with the brain hit me hard because my best friend lost her baby shortly after birth due to a birth defect related to the brain. Her prognosis was always fatal and the little I know about ours it looks to be a minor issue. I think I am just extra sensitive to it because of her experience.
My mom made the point that with the advances in technology they are able to see so much more, so much earlier and they often times resolve themselves.
I am hoping today brings some answers to ease my mind. I have no idea what questions to even ask. My husband is usually good at asking a ton of questions though but if anyone has any recommendations of questions let me know.
@hotmessmamax3 Really sorry you're going through this! I don't have experience with this particular complication, but I sympathize because we had an increased NT at our 12 week scan so I know how incredibly stressful a marker like this can be. I hope your scan goes well this afternoon!
Where in the brain is it? +Ask them to write down the name of the neural structure. Had the size changed since the last scan? Is it only a marker of downs or can it cause issues on its own? Is surgery indicated in these cases?
Very good news! There is no cyst after all. The first scan was at an angle that made it look like a cyst but they looked today and found no cyst. So 24 hours of panic for something that wasn’t there! I am so incredibly greatful! I am so glad they got me in today so I didn’t have to worry unnecessarily for a week. Thank you to everyone for your kind words and support here! It help tremendously!
OMG sooooo happy to read your positive update!! I can only imagine the personal hell you've been in worrying about your baby. So happy for you!! Thank goodness!
YAY!!!!! I'm so glad to hear that you got in so quickly! What a relief that must be!
Angel Babies 1&2 2/14/09 DS born 3/11 Angel Baby 3 6/28/11 9/5/17 BFP!! divorced October 2014 9/6/17 hCG 88 progesterone 9.1 (prometrium started) Married DH 10/15 DH's DS born 6/09 9/8/17 hCG 242!!! Not preventing since 11/15 EDD 5/8/18 Adjusted 5/15/18 TTC since 1/1/16 9/27/17 we have a heart beat!
When my midwife called originally I never even knew it was possibly nothing. The cyst had a name after all so I was expecting to leave with a game plan- not with the news that it was nothing to worry about, just a bad picture.
I feel so truly lucky- especially having several people close to me who have had to go for a follow up scan and have not left with such positive news. I reminds me not to take things for granted!
It may sound weird but I was less scared of the possibility of a Downs marker and more concerned about the baby having to have surgery on their brain. I don’t know the challenges of having a child with Downs but felt our family would be able to handle them but the idea of a tiny baby having surgery terrified me!
Re: Blake Pouch Cyst in Ultrasound
I am still waiting to have it scheduled, which is just adding to my anxiety. I hate not having information and playing the waiting game.
My mom did do some research and found that the cysts are rare and easily treatable. I still hate the possibility of a newborn needing any kind of surgery but I am feeling less fearful that this could have fatal results.
Married: 8/22/15
BFP #1: 8/22/17 | DS: 4/20/18
BFP #2: 7/14/19 | EDD: 3/18/20
Have you spoken to a perinatologist? Or a genetic counselor? If not, I recommend ask to speak to one pronto.
From all I've learned about cysts on the brain, in the absence of any other abnormality or pause, your risk for a trisomy issue isn't that much increased than it was without the cyst. That's why I say talk to a perinatologist or genetic counselor. You can also elect to go for the serum genetic test. Your insurance might cover it now that there is "cause".
Good luck!
So far no other markers have been found. There have been no other abnormalities but they also didn’t get all the images of the heart they needed because they baby wouldn’t get in the right position. They told me at the ultrasound I would probably have to come back for another ultrasound because they didn’t get enough images of the heart but didn’t mention seeing anything abnormal on the scan at the time.
I’m a mess about it but my husband is keeping things calm. I have only told him and my parents (and obviously this board). I feel so fragile and overly emotional- I know I need to stay positive but I can’t help but feel scared.
DS born 3/11
Angel Baby 3 6/28/11 9/5/17 BFP!!
divorced October 2014 9/6/17 hCG 88 progesterone 9.1 (prometrium started)
Married DH 10/15 DH's DS born 6/09 9/8/17 hCG 242!!!
Not preventing since 11/15 EDD 5/8/18 Adjusted 5/15/18
TTC since 1/1/16 9/27/17 we have a heart beat!
Married June 2012
BFP June 2013- blighted ovum, D&C Aug 2013
BFP Oct 2013- twins! A&H born May 2014
BFP Aug 2017- EDD 5/8/17
I was told we will get to meet with the doctor or a genetic counselor.
The news of an issue with the brain hit me hard because my best friend lost her baby shortly after birth due to a birth defect related to the brain. Her prognosis was always fatal and the little I know about ours it looks to be a minor issue. I think I am just extra sensitive to it because of her experience.
My mom made the point that with the advances in technology they are able to see so much more, so much earlier and they often times resolve themselves.
I am hoping today brings some answers to ease my mind. I have no idea what questions to even ask. My husband is usually good at asking a ton of questions though but if anyone has any recommendations of questions let me know.
Where in the brain is it? +Ask them to write down the name of the neural structure.
Had the size changed since the last scan?
Is it only a marker of downs or can it cause issues on its own?
Is surgery indicated in these cases?
Just a starting point.
So 24 hours of panic for something that wasn’t there! I am so incredibly greatful! I am so glad they got me in today so I didn’t have to worry unnecessarily for a week.
Thank you to everyone for your kind words and support here! It help tremendously!
Married June 2012
BFP June 2013- blighted ovum, D&C Aug 2013
BFP Oct 2013- twins! A&H born May 2014
BFP Aug 2017- EDD 5/8/17
DS born 3/11
Angel Baby 3 6/28/11 9/5/17 BFP!!
divorced October 2014 9/6/17 hCG 88 progesterone 9.1 (prometrium started)
Married DH 10/15 DH's DS born 6/09 9/8/17 hCG 242!!!
Not preventing since 11/15 EDD 5/8/18 Adjusted 5/15/18
TTC since 1/1/16 9/27/17 we have a heart beat!
Dating since: 11/17/2001
Married: 9/26/2009
TTC: June 2016
EDD: 5/14/2018
I feel so truly lucky- especially having several people close to me who have had to go for a follow up scan and have not left with such positive news. I reminds me not to take things for granted!
It may sound weird but I was less scared of the possibility of a Downs marker and more concerned about the baby having to have surgery on their brain. I don’t know the challenges of having a child with Downs but felt our family would be able to handle them but the idea of a tiny baby having surgery terrified me!