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12-03-2012 at 7:11 PM
sbonnie
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anatomy u/s issues (update from last week) T&P needed still :(

For mobile: anatomy u/s issues (update from last week) T&P needed even more now

I posted last week about getting transferred to my OB early (an OB I heard not great things about) and issues with baby's heart being seen properly.

WELL OB appt was this morning and it wasn't as simple as I thought. My understanding (from my doc's lack of explanation combined with my own interpretation I guess) was that the images of the heart weren't clear and I would likely have to go back for another u/s. Not so.

OB explained that they could see the heart and the issue is that baby has echogenic foci in the left ventricle. He said there's no point going for another u/s. The u/s report said that this "in isolation is not of clinical significance". HOWEVER, OB continues to tell me that it could mean baby is born with heart issues that may require surgery OR it could be nothing (and could go away on it's own).

He said because everything else looks good, we should just leave it be and there's not much we can do. He said if I really wanted I could go to a hospital out of town and have a fetal echocardiogram but he said he really didn't think that was necessary.

I also read that echogenic foci are a soft marker for downs (though oddly enough my doc didn't mention that). We didn't get any genetic testing done, so that is another potential issue.

I'm scared and worried for my little peanut but trying so hard to be optimistic.

As for the OB himself - overall, I didn't hate him. He explained things well and was cordial enough. He definitely talked a bit about weight gain (fair enough, I've already gained 15lbs) and I can tell it won't be the last we discuss.

Anyways, if you can, send T&P that this resolves on it's own and that our LO is born healthy.
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12-03-2012 at 7:25 PM
Dunkin
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Thoughts and prayers are with you.  I would opt for the fetal echo - I get one in a few weeks since medications I have to take can sometimes cause heart defects, so they want to make sure that everything is looking OK. And tht is with getting the all clear at my 20 week U/S.  The specialists who perform the Fetal Echo's are specially trained, and will be able to really give you and the OB a clearer picture of what may be needed.  If this means it could mean surgery, then yes, I would want the fetal echo to see how things are progressing...
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12-03-2012 at 7:25 PM
jln14
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I just went today to a perinatal heart specialist bc of the same thing seen on my a/s two weeks ago. Baby turned out to be fine and the spot is lightened up, specialist thought it was probably tendons at a unusual view. But my obgyn had mentioned soft marker for downs but it is less than 1 in very few studies. It is very scary and stressful. Did they have any issues with baby's facial features or length of bones in arms/legs?
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12-03-2012 at 7:26 PM
Trish&Pete...
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T&P headed your way. 

My DD2 was born with a hole in her heart. I didn't know it at the time, she had to go for lots of tests and echocardiograms and such. It isn't so bad that she would require surgery immediately at birth, but if it doesn't close a little further before she turns 3 she will have to go in for sure. She is a very healthy and active 2 year old and I feel so blessed that things have gone so well. I hope that you have just as positive of an experience.  
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12-03-2012 at 7:27 PM
sbonnie
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jln14:
I just went today to a perinatal heart specialist bc of the same thing seen on my a/s two weeks ago. Baby turned out to be fine and the spot is lightened up, specialist thought it was probably tendons at a unusual view. But my obgyn had mentioned soft marker for downs but it is less than 1 in very few studies. It is very scary and stressful. Did they have any issues with baby's facial features or length of bones in arms/legs?

there were no other issues with anything... so hopefully it's nothing and lightens up like yours. So stressful though!
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12-03-2012 at 7:28 PM
sbonnie
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Trish&Pete07:

T&P headed your way. 

My DD2 was born with a hole in her heart. I didn't know it at the time, she had to go for lots of tests and echocardiograms and such. It isn't so bad that she would require surgery immediately at birth, but if it doesn't close a little further before she turns 3 she will have to go in for sure. She is a very healthy and active 2 year old and I feel so blessed that things have gone so well. I hope that you have just as positive of an experience.  

glad your LO is okay. I like happy stories ;)
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12-03-2012 at 7:38 PM
heddy79
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T & P coming your way.  I hope all is well with LO.  
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12-03-2012 at 7:39 PM
drtarajp
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thoughts and prayers that everything is okay with your LO. I imagine this is all very scary and overwhelming! 
 
I would opt for the fetal EKG. it may help put your fears to rest. we are having one done later on in my pregnancy only bc DH has a history of a heart murmur. while everything looks okay with our little guy's heart, the OB said it was up to us and that our insurance will likely cover it because the baby has a 'cardiac family history'.
 
good luck with everything. please keep us posted.  
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12-03-2012 at 7:46 PM
BoatsNHoes
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Just wanted to share my DD had an echogenic foci on her heart and it tore me apart worrying. I had several follow up u/s and by 30 weeks it was completely gone. She is the healthiest smartest baby I've ever known. GL with everything. I hope this gives you a little relief.
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12-03-2012 at 7:52 PM
Ooglybear
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heddy79:
T & P coming your way.  I hope all is well with LO.  

This. Sorry that you're dealing with this. I know it can be very stressful! Sounds like the OB is not panicked, so I would try not to stress too much. I think I would go for the extra testing. 
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12-03-2012 at 7:57 PM
sbonnie
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BoatsNHoes:
Just wanted to share my DD had an echogenic foci on her heart and it tore me apart worrying. I had several follow up u/s and by 30 weeks it was completely gone. She is the healthiest smartest baby I've ever known. GL with everything. I hope this gives you a little relief.

Thanks so much, hearing things like this definitely helps so much!
I've done some more research and it sounds like its relatively common and usually goes away on its own. Probably why my OB isn't worrying. Stressful none the less.
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12-03-2012 at 8:10 PM
tondraluv
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My thoughts and prayers are with you. I don't have any experience with this but I'm here to listen and learn none the less.
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12-03-2012 at 8:20 PM
NativeFlor...
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I'm sorry to hear that there may be issues with your babe.  I'm putting positive vibes out that it resolves itself and your LO is born healthy.  As for the fetal echo, I'd say go for it.  It could bring you some clarity, or at least a clearer understanding of what you could be dealing with.  Even though the doctor seemed to explain everything thoroughly, it's nice to have a second (or third) opinion on things like these.

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12-03-2012 at 9:37 PM
BoatsNHoes
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sbonnie:
BoatsNHoes:
Just wanted to share my DD had an echogenic foci on her heart and it tore me apart worrying. I had several follow up u/s and by 30 weeks it was completely gone. She is the healthiest smartest baby I've ever known. GL with everything. I hope this gives you a little relief.
Thanks so much, hearing things like this definitely helps so much! I've done some more research and it sounds like its relatively common and usually goes away on its own. Probably why my OB isn't worrying. Stressful none the less.

its incredibly common in perfectly healthy babies. Every dr I saw said that if they updated that markers for downs this wouldn't even be one anymore because its so common. Hopefully at your next u/s there will be nothing to see! :) 
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12-03-2012 at 11:44 PM
GeorgiaGir...
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Thinking of you and little one! Hope you can get some good answers and peace of mind soon!
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12-04-2012 at 7:41 AM
katherinel...
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I'm so sorry for all the worry and concern you're dealing with! You are absolutely in my thoughts and prayers and I hope you can find some peace no matter what you decide about the fetal echo. Sending lots of love to you and your LO!
 
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12-04-2012 at 7:45 AM
Aprilbaby2...
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Many T&P's to you and your LO.  Hope everything turns out fine.  In my opinion, I would go for the fetal ECHO.  I work as an RN in a pediatric cardiac ICU so I work with babies and children before and after they have heart surgery so perhaps my view is a little skewed.  As pp's have mentioned, it could resolve on it's own but in my opinion, I would want a fetal ECHO to be thorough just in case it ends up being a serious problem.  If your OB is still warning you about the possibility that your baby may require surgery (as you stated in your post), I would get one for sure.  I think not knowing whether or not there is a problem is worse than waiting to see if it's "nothing." FYI, if you decide for a fetal ECHO, one of the cardiologists that I work with said that the best time for a fetal echo is 22 wks and that it gets a little more difficult to assess the echo after 22 wks. She said that the views and the cardiac anatomy is optimally viewed during at 22 wks but it's ok if you decide to get it after that time. I don't want to cause you anymore worry with my post but I really want to advocate for you and your baby because I've seen so many ppl miss these cardiac defects during the prenatal period.  I hope that I am being overly paranoid in this case and that LO is well and healthy and that the issue self resolves.  I'm sorry that you're going thru this but I hope everything turns out well for you and your LO.
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12-04-2012 at 9:02 AM
sherbear13...
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If it is of any encouragement, my friend had this soft marker for both of her pregnancies and went on to have both little girls with absolutely no health issues.  I hope that the same happens for you, and if there area any obstacles, I'm sure that you will overcome them.
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12-04-2012 at 10:17 AM
skoogirl
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Trish&Pete07:

T&P headed your way. 

My DD2 was born with a hole in her heart. I didn't know it at the time, she had to go for lots of tests and echocardiograms and such. It isn't so bad that she would require surgery immediately at birth, but if it doesn't close a little further before she turns 3 she will have to go in for sure. She is a very healthy and active 2 year old and I feel so blessed that things have gone so well. I hope that you have just as positive of an experience.  

DS was born with a hole in his heart too.  He had an echo while we were at the hospital and apparently it was pretty big, but they usually close up on their own in the first few years.  Luckily, DS's did close up on its own within the first year.

But, I don't think that's the same thing as was OP is describing.  Please try to remember that just because there is an association of higher risk of something doesn't mean that will actually happen.  There is still a much greater chance that everything is perfectly fine.  Also, a baby can have Down's without any of those markers alerting us to it.
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12-04-2012 at 1:00 PM
nma1227
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At my A/S at week 19, they found an echogenic foci on the heart too.  The doctor said "everything else looks perfect, but the spot on the heart is a soft marker for downs". But she also said that it has nothing to do with a heart defect and in 90% of cases it goes away on it's own.  It does not affect the heart.

Then the genetic counselor asked if I wanted an Amnio or the MaterniT21 test (which I am not doing because now, my stress about it has dissipated).  But, the doctor said with my new odds for downs (1/700) it was not a cause for concern, especially because all other tests had been negative.

I immediately freaked of course!  I spent a solid week researching everything I could find, and the research helped ALOT!  A solitary echogenic foci is really not a "soft marker" for downs, unless it is combined with another soft marker.  With the technology now, these foci are found in about 10% of  ultrasounds.  My doctors office saw it about once a day.  I'm not sure why your doc recommended the testing.  Mine said nothing further was needed since it was "normal" and didn't affect heart function.
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12-04-2012 at 3:01 PM
sbonnie
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nma1227:

At my A/S at week 19, they found an echogenic foci on the heart too.  The doctor said "everything else looks perfect, but the spot on the heart is a soft marker for downs". But she also said that it has nothing to do with a heart defect and in 90% of cases it goes away on it's own.  It does not affect the heart.

Then the genetic counselor asked if I wanted an Amnio or the MaterniT21 test (which I am not doing because now, my stress about it has dissipated).  But, the doctor said with my new odds for downs (1/700) it was not a cause for concern, especially because all other tests had been negative.

I immediately freaked of course!  I spent a solid week researching everything I could find, and the research helped ALOT!  A solitary echogenic foci is really not a "soft marker" for downs, unless it is combined with another soft marker.  With the technology now, these foci are found in about 10% of  ultrasounds.  My doctors office saw it about once a day.  I'm not sure why your doc recommended the testing.  Mine said nothing further was needed since it was "normal" and didn't affect heart function.

Thanks, that's helpful and I have found the research has helped.

My doc did NOT recommend the testing but said if I REALLY wanted a referral he could do it. He felt it was completely unnecessary (which he said a number of times) given that everything else is developing well. He also didn't even mention amnio (which we wouldn't do at this point anyways).
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12-04-2012 at 3:56 PM
nma1227
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I personally wouldn't do any extra tests either.  Sending prayers your way!  I promise it will get easier.  It was all I could think about for a solid week and I am much more confident about the situation now.  Big Smile
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12-04-2012 at 7:06 PM
sbonnie
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nma1227:
I personally wouldn't do any extra tests either.  Sending prayers your way!  I promise it will get easier.  It was all I could think about for a solid week and I am much more confident about the situation now.  Big Smile

thanks again, I'm a lot calmer today... thinking lots of positive thoughts and having done more research feeling more confident out LO will be perfect.
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12-04-2012 at 9:42 PM
AprilloMom
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nma1227:

At my A/S at week 19, they found an echogenic foci on the heart too.  The doctor said "everything else looks perfect, but the spot on the heart is a soft marker for downs". But she also said that it has nothing to do with a heart defect and in 90% of cases it goes away on it's own.  It does not affect the heart.

Then the genetic counselor asked if I wanted an Amnio or the MaterniT21 test (which I am not doing because now, my stress about it has dissipated).  But, the doctor said with my new odds for downs (1/700) it was not a cause for concern, especially because all other tests had been negative.

I immediately freaked of course!  I spent a solid week researching everything I could find, and the research helped ALOT!  A solitary echogenic foci is really not a "soft marker" for downs, unless it is combined with another soft marker.  With the technology now, these foci are found in about 10% of  ultrasounds.  My doctors office saw it about once a day.  I'm not sure why your doc recommended the testing.  Mine said nothing further was needed since it was "normal" and didn't affect heart function.

 

This is pretty much what happened to us last week. Dr. said it would not affect the heart AT ALL, but mentioned the soft marker for Downs. I tried not to google it thinking it would freak me out, but it actually made me feel better. My doctor basically said they were required to disclose that it is a "soft marker" but that is is very common and if its not matched with another marker then your risk is unchanged. Everything I read said it was much more common than previous thought. My ob said in 26 years he's never only seen a foci turn out to be a downs case. It is always matched with another marker.  

We opted out of further testing, and they will repeat the US in 8 weeks to see if it is still there. 
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