This morning CP and I went to the Level II ultrasound to see how Baby Boy is doing. The ultrasound tech was very nice and throughout her exam kept saying great things like "this is perfect", "this looks good", etc. Baby Boy was not super cooperative and so there were a few shots that she had difficulty getting. Then the MFM doctor came in and explained that because I was of advanced maternal age, he would be taking a close look at Baby Boy's heart because after chromosomal abnormalities (basically ruled out with the bloodtest two months ago), the heart is where doctors see more abnormalities in older women.
In complete contrast to the ultrasound tech, he wasn't very talkative after his introduction and the way his arm was situated made it hard for me to see the screen so I got a little bored. He also kept digging into the side of my belly which was a bit painful.
After he finished with the ultrasound, he turned to us and let us know that he did find a choroid plexus cyst, which is a pocket of fluid filled space in the brain. It's only seen in about 1-3% of pregnancies. It can be associated with Trisomy 18, however, if it is the only issue found during an ultrasound (and it was) AND the mother has already undergone genetic testing (which I did and everything came out normal), it's no big deal and something that will go away. The doctor also saw Baby Boy's hand open and close which is something that Trisomy 18 babies are not able to do.
So, we are not worried about Trisomy 18. But because Baby Boy was not cooperating with the doctor either, I will have to go back for another Level II ultrasound in two weeks to get better views of a few organs. The doctor did mention that he didn't see anything concerning, but wanted to get a few clearer shots. So I head back on the 29th to get those images.
I wish that I didn't have to go back but I guess I should look at it as a good thing as I will get to see Baby Boy on the ultrasound again. If I am being honest, I am a little nervous because he got the shots that he needed but they aren't as clear as he would like them to be....does this mean that he possibly sees something? CP thinks that I am just being silly, but I'm pregnant so of course I am going to be a little irrational.
7 comments:
So glad you've already undergone the genetic testing. I will definitley be doing that if there's a next time. Glad to hear he's doing well!
I think he just wants to be absolutely positive that he covers all his bases. He would have told you if he saw something. Just try to imagine how tiny the blood vessels and such are on a fetus at your gestational age. It's pretty hard to see things I'm sure.
During our first anatomy scan at 19 weeks, we had to go back to get better pictures of the heart since the tech couldn't get clear images (due to positioning apparently). When we went back 10 days later they did see an echogenic intracardiac focus on the heart. Just like the cysts on the brain, they are relatively common and harmless. If there are no other markers, it's no big deal. I have another scan on Wednesday (at 32 weeks) to check the heart again and to see how big she is. I'm worried (just like you) they they will find something disturbing. I hope it turns out well for both of us (I'm SURE it will!!).
Having to go back for extra checkups is always unsettling. I hope you'll get reassuring news in 2 weeks. Glad that everything they did see was okay! (Also, I always get really scared when the person doing the ultrasound doesn't talk...)
Not visualizing it well means exactly what they say and nothing more. If there were anything concerning, they'd have mentioned it, especially alongside the cyst, since as you say, those cysts aren't concerning unless they're seen in conjunction with other soft markers. I had to go back for a second ultrasound at 24 weeks with Callum due to poor visualization of a few things and it meant nothing at all--he looked perfect on both ultrasounds, they just want to be sure, and I think MFMs in particular tend to be conservative about this type of thing. So I would try not to worry! I know it's hard, but there is no reason to think that there are any concerns they haven't told you about.
Echoing all above. He's very likely just covering his bases and crossing all the Ts. If something was off, you would likely be sitting down with another MFM to talk about it.
So this is good news from today!
So stressful, I'm sorry. Honestly, I think that for those of us who have seen issues in the past, they are just really, really careful. Good luck, try to enjoy your extra peak!
ugh, sorry to hear that. I mean, 1) thrilled to hear everything looks perfect so far and 2) hooray for another peek at baby boy! but i hear you - that would make me worried too, even though i KNEW rationally it was just for safety double checking blah blah blah. No one said pregnant ladies should be rational though ;-) I'm confident it will be nothing!
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