Referred to a specialist and scared.

Knottie81382530 · November 2018

Looking for prayers, encouragement, shared experiences, or whatever you can offer. This is a lengthy vent but I needed to write it out. At 22w we had our second level sono anatomy scan. They found a couple abnormalities in the brain. Her right lateral ventricle was measuring enlarged, just over 10mm and they saw a dangling choroid plexus. The nurse looked at the sonographers notes and literally said “I don’t even know what that second part means” and recommended coming in for a rescan two weeks later. She said she’d show my OB when he returned from surgery and if he didn’t think I needed to rescan, she’d call. Well, that left me with nothing for two weeks but Dr. Google. Fist off, as an OB nurse, it seems she should have at least been familiar with that terminology as a quick Google search found all kinds of information. Unfortunately it ranged anywhere from “my baby had this and it resolved itself” to “marker for Downs” to hydrocephalus that could require a stunt in your infants brain or inhibit their communication and mobility. It’s been a rough couple of weeks paired with moving and interviewing for a promotion. I immediately went off of my anti-depressants because it was the only thing I could point to that was different from my first pregnancy and I found one article deep in the internet that said SSRIs may impair brain development (I know that rationally speaking all pregnancies are just different and trying to find something I’ve done won’t result in anything. My OB and prior research also said my meds would be more than fine to stay on).

Yesterday we we had our rescan. They found the same issues and said they want to refer me to a Maternal & Fetal Medicine specialist. Said they have higher level sonos and are the experts that will be able to talk about what these things mean and next steps. We immediately walked into the specialist since it was downstairs and asked for their soonest available appointment. When I handed the receptionist my referral she said “are you doing okay?” And the vibe in there is fairly somber, will all of the literature about the doctor referring to her helping out with complications and high risks. Our appointment is for Tuesday morning. I know there’s nothing I can do until then, but it feels like forever. I know we were chosen to be her parents no matter what and she’ll be exactly who’s she’s meant to be, but I hate not knowing and feeling helpless that I can’t do anything for her.

I know every pregnancy and experience is different, but curious if anyone has similar brain scan results and what your story was. Or, If you can’t relate, feel free to share whatever form of encouragement you can.

meggyme · November 2018

Knottie81382530 said:

Looking for prayers, encouragement, shared experiences, or whatever you can offer. This is a lengthy vent but I needed to write it out. At 22w we had our second level sono anatomy scan. They found a couple abnormalities in the brain. Her right lateral ventricle was measuring enlarged, just over 10mm and they saw a dangling choroid plexus. The nurse looked at the sonographers notes and literally said “I don’t even know what that second part means” and recommended coming in for a rescan two weeks later. She said she’d show my OB when he returned from surgery and if he didn’t think I needed to rescan, she’d call. Well, that left me with nothing for two weeks but Dr. Google. Fist off, as an OB nurse, it seems she should have at least been familiar with that terminology as a quick Google search found all kinds of information. Unfortunately it ranged anywhere from “my baby had this and it resolved itself” to “marker for Downs” to hydrocephalus that could require a stunt in your infants brain or inhibit their communication and mobility. It’s been a rough couple of weeks paired with moving and interviewing for a promotion. I immediately went off of my anti-depressants because it was the only thing I could point to that was different from my first pregnancy and I found one article deep in the internet that said SSRIs may impair brain development (I know that rationally speaking all pregnancies are just different and trying to find something I’ve done won’t result in anything. My OB and prior research also said my meds would be more than fine to stay on).

Yesterday we we had our rescan. They found the same issues and said they want to refer me to a Maternal & Fetal Medicine specialist. Said they have higher level sonos and are the experts that will be able to talk about what these things mean and next steps. We immediately walked into the specialist since it was downstairs and asked for their soonest available appointment. When I handed the receptionist my referral she said “are you doing okay?” And the vibe in there is fairly somber, will all of the literature about the doctor referring to her helping out with complications and high risks. Our appointment is for Tuesday morning. I know there’s nothing I can do until then, but it feels like forever. I know we were chosen to be her parents no matter what and she’ll be exactly who’s she’s meant to be, but I hate not knowing and feeling helpless that I can’t do anything for her.

I know every pregnancy and experience is different, but curious if anyone has similar brain scan results and what your story was. Or, If you can’t relate, feel free to share whatever form of encouragement you can.

I’m really sorry you’re going through this. I don’t have any pertinent information to share, but if it does end up being something serious, just know that nothing you did caused it. If your doctor said the medication was safe, then their medical opinion took that study you found in a corner of the Internet into consideration. You carry no blame for an abnormality found in your child. I hope you get relatively good news on Tuesday.

mayoduck · November 2018

I'm sorry you're dealing with this stress and fear. I don't have any relevant personal experience here but wanted to offer up my sympathy and support. I know there are a number of women here seeing an MFM for various reasons. I hope your appointment on Tuesday brings you answers to all your questions and some positive news.

kristimh80 · November 2018

So sorry for everything your are dealing with right now. I go to a MFM for my sonograms and honestly, I wish I went there more. In my experience, they are wonderful and so hands on. They take their time doing sonos and it's very comforting on many levels. FX this Tuesday is a good day for you and there was nothing you needed to worry about and if they find anything, there is something they can do to help and calm your worries. I really hope your experience at the MFM is as good as mine has been

Kenneylynn3 · November 2018

Just wanted to say I'm sorry you are going through this. I hope your appt on Tuesday goes well. Going to MFM, they have more information, and can care for more thwings. Keep us updated. I'll be thinking of you and your lo.