Enlarged kidneys

[fermerswife]

Hi everyone, I posted this on pregnancy before I realised this board is here...

This is my first post on the pregnancy board but I'm looking for some advice/reassurance.

I had my 20 week scan yesterday at 19+6. Unfortunately due to a combination of things the sonographer didn't get all the images she needed so I have to return in 2 weeks. I know this is common and I had something similar with my son but as I was leaving she also added that she wanted to check the kidneys again as they both had fluid sitting on them. When I asked how serious that was she said she probably shouldn't have said anything as she'd get in trouble as the measurements were 4mm and 6mm which are below the upper threshold for normal of 7mm. She wanted to scan me again in 4 weeks but I said I'd like to be seen sooner so she agreed to 2 weeks.

Of course when I came home I looked at what she'd written in my notes and then googled to find that while this is relatively common and normally resolves itself it is seen as a soft marker for down syndrome. Without seeing the other parts of the baby clearly I obviously don't know if she will find another marker in a fortnights time.

The worry of the link to Down Syndrome is stressing me out of my mind. I have a history of losing pregnancies and other recent health scares and I feel that this news it just tipping me over the edge a bit. I'm also in Northern Ireland were we don't have any NT screening at all so I don't have any comfort of reassuring stats there.

I'm worried, I'm also angry at the sonographer for worrying me about something which a) is within the NHS limits, although US seems to regard over 4mm as an issue and b) I feel she didn't need to worry me about at all until she knew if there was an issue afterall she had to bring me back in a fortnight anyway.

So I guess I'm just wondering has anyone any experience of this or have any advice/support. I feel a bit alone as I don't want to worry family by saying there's a potential concern at this point.

thanks

[TheGreatSnafu]

It's been a long time since I had babies but just wanted to offer hand holding. Sorry you are going through this, how awful.

Can you clarify, is your primary concern Down's Syndrome?

Hopefully someone with experience will also reply.

[fermerswife]

Thanks for your reply. Yes I understand that the kidney issue itself is likely to resolve its the link to Down syndrome and the uncertainty there that is worrying me most.

[KittyandTeal]

Did they pick up any other soft markers or do they not look in NI? I would be surprised if you got to 20 weeks with just this one marker and the baby has Down's syndrome.

Usually by 20 weeks you'd expect to see a few markers together. Do they diagnose antenatal yin N
I?

When my dd2s T18 was picked up there were lots of soft markers. They explained that actually lots of them (cysts on the brain and holes in the heart) are common at that gestation on there own and generally sort themselves out. For us it was lots of them altogether that told of a bigger picture.

It's it's just slightly enlarged kidneys I'd try not to worry (I understand that's really hard though)

[fermerswife]

Thanks KittyandTeal

They haven't seen any other markers yet although they couldn't see heart or brain in detail so I have to be rescanned for those anyway.

I'm just so confused as to why she would worry me if readings were within the normal limits?

[KittyandTeal]

It's really annoying and she really shouldn't have said anything.

They told me that they often don't tell parents if they just find one thing like cysts.

She's worried you unnecessarily to be honest.

[fermerswife]

Thanks again KittyandTeal, I'm a worrier by nature and having lost two babies already (mc and ectopic) I'm just past myself. I saw one of your other threads about harmony testing, so pleased to see you have gotten great results, wonderful news! Spoke to my hubby and thinking about getting that done now just to put my mind at ease, I'm also over 35 so think it would be no bad thing to just get it checked since we don't really get any proper screening here.

[Butterfliesprettybutterflies]

I don't know anything about the kidneys but just wanted to say that if you are worried you can ask for the combined test in Northern Ireland - they don't offer it but they will it if you ask. Having said that I know harmony is much more accurate but if you want to have something done before spending the money that might be an option. I'm not sure when you can have it done until but mine was only a few weeks before your gestation is so I'd say you shouldn't be too far off.
Good luck - I hate the wondering too.

[fermerswife]

Thanks butterflies, that's interesting but I think the combined test can only be done until 19 weeks so I'm too late for that now. Made a few equiries about harmony so I'll see what they come back with. I feel a bit better today knowing I'm going to look into it more and not be left worrying for the next 20 weeks. Thanks

[Fourarmsv2]

DS2 was 'normal' at 9w & 12w scan but enlarged kidneys were picked up at 22w anomaly scan.

The sonographer had a good look but couldn't find any other soft markers for DS.

We had lots of extra scans but the outcome is that DS2 has bilateral duplex kidneys. He's got a few other urinary system issues but it hasn't caused any major problems post an op at 6m.

Best wishes for your pg