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Post by Mary_L. on Jul 13, 2006 19:58:41 GMT -5
A friend from a mom's board I go to is 20 weeks pregnant and just had her ultrasound. Here is what she wrote;
"I had my 20 week ultrasound today and I'm so sad to say that there appear to be a few major problems.
1) They couldn't see the baby's stomach. Since they didn't see it last time either it is now a concern. In addition, I have too much amniotic fluid, which is consistent with digestive problems. They believe that the stomach is not properly connected to the esophagus.
2) They believe that the baby has a heart defect. Specifically, the left ventricle is much smaller than the right.
When you put the 2 defects together they think it's a high likelihood that the baby has a chromosomal defect of some kind. The best case scenario if it is a chromosome problem is Down's Syndrome and they get worse from there. So, I had an amnio done today and will have to wait until the results come in.
If any of you with Down's Syndrome children recognize these ultrasound results or can shed any light for me, I would appreciate any feedback. I don't know what to think or expect. I'm numb and overwhelmed right now. "
We didn't know Patrick had Ds until he was born so I cant give her any advice about what they saw on the ultrasound. I was just wondering if anyone here had similar results to this ultrasound. Thanks for any help you can give!
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Post by momofrussell on Jul 13, 2006 20:06:10 GMT -5
OH Mary!!! Although I found out while pregnant with Russell... my US was not like that... he had the nuchal fold and herniated umbilical cord.. and we did have the amnio to confirm. But I don't know what to say!!!! I feel so bad for your friends for the health stuff.. not the ds As much as it hurts to wait.. I would hate to speculate before the amnio results.... Hugs... to this mom and family!!! a.
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Post by joydiane on Jul 13, 2006 23:23:25 GMT -5
My son at 18 weeks had fluid around his heart and they could not tell if his heart was normal. After a fetal echo, they decided the structure of the heart was fine but could not tell why he had the effusion. Later in the pregnancy, the fluid cleared up but he had the small stomach and extra amniotic fluid problem. This also cleared up. However, we had to deliver at 30 weeks because the fluid came back around his lungs and created problems for him. He did survive because they delivered him early. Luckily, they were watching closely because of the problems with the heart early on or we would not have know he was in distress. His problem was related to a blood disorder. We did not know about the DS until about a week after birth. If she wants more info, please PM me for an email address. So. I have no answers just a similar experience.
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Post by Emilysmom on Jul 14, 2006 5:39:39 GMT -5
Mary, It all sounds very familiar to me; although Emily did not have a heart defect. Her stomach and intestines were not connected at all, and I had WAY too much amniotic fluid (2 liters had to be drained off on two different occasions because there was so much!) and it was visible on the ultrasound. I can not remember if her stomach was visible though............I think they were able to see it, but they knew it was not connected to her intestines at all. She had surgery at 24 hrs old to repair that. I was told after that ultrasound that in 99% of the cases where there is that degree of stomach/intestinal problems, it indicated Down syndrome. He didn't mention another chromosomal problem at the time, but it does make sense that there are possibilities of those too. I met Vicki (Kyles Mom) here who also had a similar situation. Kyle also had surgery after birth to correct it. In our kids' cases, the problem was below the stomach, rather than above it. The unknown is always so hard to deal with.......at least it was for us. It got so much easier after Emily was born and we knew how to help her, and had her there to hold!
I'm willing to chat, email, anything you need!
Susan
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Post by Chris on Jul 14, 2006 12:04:34 GMT -5
Although we didn't discover Sarah's heart defect during an ultrasound, she did have a thickened nuchal fold. I did opt for an amnio and when we found she had Ds I had a fetal echocardiogram done that revealed her heart defect.
I had lots of extra amniotic fluid and was told it was common if the baby had a chromosomal abnormality or an organ defect.
I'll pray for your friend.
Chris
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Post by Jodi on Jul 15, 2006 1:13:09 GMT -5
At my 20 wk ultrasound, they said Ryan's kidneys were dialated, and one leg was longer than the other. They ordered a level 3 ultrasound, with a possible amnio. At the next appointment, they said his kidneys were still dialated, one leg longer than the other, and possible cleft mouth and cleft palette. I opted for the amnio so I could prepare for whatever. 3 looooong weeks later it was confirmed he had Ds. When he was born - no cleft palette or lip, just a slight heart murmur. The pediatric cardiologist found 3 small holes in his heart, but they all closed on their own in 1 year. Oh, his legs are the same length. Health issues after birth besides his heart? - sleep apnea (cleared up by having his tonsils and adenoids removed) and he wears glasses. Thats about it. We were prepared for anything and everything, but it wasn't nearly as bad as they said it was. I would rather be prepared though!!
Everybody is different... we all handle scary news differently. I opted for information on all possibilities - which scared me even more, but I felt I was at least prepared for what might happen.
Jodi
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Post by Mary_L. on Jul 16, 2006 14:43:19 GMT -5
Thanks for your replies. I forwarded them to my friend and she said it helped to hear of other people's experiences. Thanks again!
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