20 week scan heart anomalies

[Prawn2019]

Hello,

This is my first post so sorry if I write something wrong!

We recently went for our 20 week scan with our first baby. As you can imagine we have been so excited throughout, but on going, the midwife told us she couldn’t see everything she needed to check our baby’s heart, so we had another appointment re-booked for three weeks later. We have now had this second appointment and they have said they believe our baby’s heart has not developed as it should. That it appears to have two ventricles but only one outlet, and from this have referred us to have a scan at GOSH. We’re hoping to get that early this week.

I was just wondering if anyone else has had this outcome from their scans and what it actually means. We’re currently thinking the worst :( until we can find out more, so just seeking any information if anyone has any to give!

Thanks so much xx

No advice op but it must be a worrying time for you so I'm sending best wishes and hope for the best outcome for you

Thank you xxxx

Sending best wishes to you and your family op, I hope the outcome is positive.

I think you need to ask Mumsnet admin to move your post to pregnancy related boards so you get more helpful responses.

Nowadays most heart defects can be corrected and baby can live normally, so try not to worry. Though that’s easier said than done!

Hi this happened with my third. My baby had quite a serious heart operation at one week old (open heart surgery). However - and I appreciate that sounds utterly shocking - she's now a fixed and formidable three year old. It's absolutely preferable that they identify the defects in the womb as they can manage your pregnancy - and more importantly the delivery - with care and attention. I know it's scary, but it's better to you. My daughter's consultant once said to me that most heart defects can be remedied if they're known about early: happy to chat more if you PM me, but I can only tell you what happened to us and how it ultimately had a happy ending x

Hi I'm a heart mum, not the same condition, however would be similar operations, my son has faced. Its a scary, overwhelming time for you both. Have you been given the name of the defect they are suspecting?

There are many support groups via Facebook or online. Children's heart federation, children's heart surgery fund, from the top of my head.

My son has had OHS (open heart surgery) 4 times now, and is 10 next month, he also has Digeorge syndrome. We found out at our 20 week scan, and was told he had a 55% chance or having digeorge. My son has TOF with Pulmonary Atresia with MAPCAS.

My son has had three procedures including OHS at GOSH, and are a great team. You will have alot of scans etc to attend during pregnancy, and will probably be a planned birth, (im only talking through experience) however aware many peoples experiences are different.

Hopefully once the referral has been made, you will be seen ASAP, we were seen within three days, however this was 10 years ago, and at LGI.

Until your aware of the full facts, from the detailed scans, try not to Google, as its terrifying, I did, and I had worked myself up so much for that first initial appointment.

Make notes of all questions you both want to ask, and take it with you, and try to write down as much as possible, as you will receive lots of information, you will also be assigned a cardiac liason nurse, who you can contact as much or as little as you please.

Take care, there are many options available for you both to talk through and decide, and only you both can decide what is best for you and your child.

Thank you all so much for your messages.

We have now had our scan and it's a little less scary, albeit not the perfect outcome. They have called the condition VSD, which is essentially a hole between two valves of the heart between the oxygenated and non oxygenated bloods. They have said this can be fixed with a relatively low risk surgery after the baby is born. And the long term outlook is positive.

Because of this, our next big decision is whether or not we will go ahead with the amniocentesis test to see if there is any kind of chromosome defects, as we were told the screening result is now not accurate, as with a heart condition it's more likely that the baby could have another issue. And if this was the case, the outcome wouldn't be so simple.

It's so hard to know what is right to do. We're currently sitting in the waiting room at UCLH to speak to someone about the test and whether or not to go ahead with the risk attached.

Xxxx

That's more positive news ! As part of my baby's condition she had three holes (the same as you describe). Two closed naturally and one was fixed during the surgery I mentioned above xx I feel much better for you xx We opted for the chromosome test - it was clear for us x good luck and thinking of you x

What chromosome disorders are they most concerned about? You can often buy NIPT (private) testing for the most common ones.

We had the harmony test to duke out some common chromosomal issues. It's a simple blood test for you. But your consultant will advise if it's extensive enough.

We're out and more unsettling news.

We were advised to have the amniocentesis, so we went ahead. It was uncomfortable but ok.

During the scan before the treatment, they believe to of found more abnormalities, although they didn't really explain what these were.

Back to GOSH tomorrow for another scan...

Thanks again for all your well wishes xxxx

Just remember that it's better to know as they can plan and devise a treatment plan x

That's what we're trying to hold on to at the moment. 🤞🏼 xxx