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Original poster

Anomaly scan-referred to fetal medicine for follow up

22 replies

StaceyIre · 07/02/2021 20:40

I’m 29 and pregnant with my first baby. Had my Anatomy scan at 21w+3. The sonographer got 95% of all views and all was normal but she told me that there was one view of the heart that she couldn’t get.l because the baby’s arm was creating a shadow. She grabbed a colleague to ask her to try to get it but I don’t think that she got on great either. The two had a a conversation and said to refer me to fetal medicine. I asked what was going on and she said that she couldn’t get a proper view of the 4 chambers of the heart(she could see 4 chambers were there and heart was in right place) but all other heart views were fine. She said they were going to refer me to fetal medicine to review the heart images and that I shouldn’t panic. I asked her was there something up with the baby and she said that she just couldn’t tell, she said there mightn’t be anything wrong but there might be something like a valve or a small hole - she just can’t tell.On the ultrasound report it says “4 chamber view- suboptimal”. It also says “2 vessel cord noted”. I’m freaking out- appointment on Wednesday... I’m just so nervous because of the referral to fetal medicine

OP posts:

Primitivo1 · 07/02/2021 20:42

Please don't worry. You will have a very good scan with an experienced sonographer. Hopefully it is nothing but if something is picked up you have plenty of time to work out what to do/prepare for any treatment etc. after birth. Good luck and try not to worry.

nocturnalke · 07/02/2021 20:46

Hi my situation was similar. Baby wasn't in a good position so they couldn't get the images of the heart. I had to go back two weeks later for another scan so they could get the pictures. I asked if something was wrong but she said they need the pictures to make sure the heart is growing correctly but everything else was fine. I didn't get referred to feral medicine but I hope my experience helps you feel better. DD heart all fine!

PolytheneHam · 07/02/2021 20:50

I was under fetal medicine with DS. He had dilatated kidney pelves, a prominent bowel, and a two vessel cord. At one point they also thought he had part of a gene missing, but this turned out to be a mistake.

When he was born, it was found out that he had a three vessel cord after all. No problems have been found with kidneys or bowel either (numerous scans).

DS is now 13 months and perfectly healthy.

They err on the side of caution and don't always get things right.

I understand your worries. Even a year on, I'm still struggling emotionally after such a traumatic pregnancy.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

2nd trimester Antenatal & postnatal Families General pregnancy

RWK29 · 07/02/2021 20:51

@StaceyIre Much easier said than done, I know, but please try not to worry ❤️ Chances are she just couldn’t quite get the view that she needed to confidently say that everything was fine so she’s given a referral just incase! I had to go back for a 2nd anomaly scan a week later as she couldn’t get a proper view of the vessels going in and out of the heart. First scan was an hour long as she tried so hard to get it. Second scan she told me after 45 mins that she’d have to refer me then gave it one last try and luckily baby turned at the last minute and she managed to view everything she needed.

You get another chance to see baby, and a very experienced sonographer will double check baby 😊 and on the off chance that there is an issue...it’s been picked up early and they will be able to plan any treatment that may be needed

ChonkyChook · 07/02/2021 20:57

They are so very, very over cautious with scans. If baby is lying and they don't move it's sometimes best to have another scan just be doubley sure.

You'll get an expert's expert to have a look. Usually everything is absolutely fine, I know it's easy for us to say try not to worry but honestly it's a precaution at this stage.

Fetal medicine is amazing these days.

Original poster

StaceyIre · 07/02/2021 21:04

Thank you xx

OP posts:

Original poster

StaceyIre · 07/02/2021 21:15

Thanks for all the feedback ladies. I hope you are right.
@PolytheneHam I can’t believe you went through all of that. Delighted you baby is ok.
@RWK29 I do remember her saying it was pointless me coming back in a week to see her because if she still wasn’t sure she would have to refer me anyway... I would probably feel so much better if I were just going back to ultrasound. I’m half thinking that there is something more wrong that they aren’t letting on.
It horrible having to hear that on your own..if DH was there I wouldn’t have felt half as bad probably 😔

OP posts:

RWK29 · 07/02/2021 21:23

@StaceyIre Its awful being at scans alone, I know! My DH missed all of ours because of covid too 😔 I had to go to the early pregnancy unit twice for scans because of bleeds too and DH wasn’t allowed in 😔 sat in the waiting room for 3 hours on my own bleeding. It was awful! You’d much rather they were over cautious! I’m sure it’ll be absolutely nothing to worry about but at least they’ve found it if it’s something that needs attention ❤️

LifeIsBusy · 07/02/2021 21:26

I'm 29+6 and we were brought back for a follow up 20 week scan as they just couldn't get the imagine they needed. I went back two weeks later, they got what they needed then noticed talipes in LOs foot and then got an appointment to fetal medicine. They're lovely and provided us answers to questions we had and even though it was an awful time we've now come to the conclusion it's better to know this now and we get extra pictures of babs and in high definition 😁. So even if they do find something, you'll get the rest of time to prepare for what ever needs to happen post birth.

FlyingSquid · 07/02/2021 21:27

A two vessel cord may well be no problem at all. DD had this (single uterine artery) and is a totally healthy teenager now. You might have extra scans to check growth as there’s no ‘back up supply’ with only one artery.

All the best for the next scan.

Original poster

StaceyIre · 07/02/2021 21:29

@RWK29 I had the exact same thing...my heart goes out to you...such a crappy experience to be bleeding on your own and afraid for your tiny baby❤️ I hope you are right and they are just being super cautious and thorough

OP posts:

Original poster

StaceyIre · 07/02/2021 22:05

@LifeIsBusy hope you and LO are doing ok. Lovely to hear your viewpoint...if something comes back I guess I’ll have to just get on with it and look and the bright side...at least I can prepare
@FlyingSquid thanks for your reassurance...she never even mentioned the 2 vessel cord thing...I just noticed it when I looked at the report

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MargaretThursday · 07/02/2021 22:49

My experience of finding an issue on the scan (missing hand) was that they immediately brought the consultant in "for a quick look", and he told me then and there.
I would say sending for review means they think all is fine, but want to make extra sure.

MySocalledLoaf · 07/02/2021 22:58

Same as pp, I had an issue show up at 20w and they told me straight away and made clear how serious it was (I had to stay within 20 minutes of the hospital for the rest of the pregnancy). If they think it’s bad, they don’t fuck about.
(Baby now a toddler. Even the bad news can work out in the end.)

Original poster

StaceyIre · 08/02/2021 21:19

Thanks so much everyone for all your reassurance...means a lot xx

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LifeIsBusy · 08/02/2021 21:59

We're doing grand. We met LOs future phisio to discuss treatment and found a fb group with kids in a similar position which has all been overly reassuring. I think we'd we too overwhelmed to find out at birth so it's given us comfort.

I hope everything goes well for you and your scan, enjoy the extra photos.

Original poster

StaceyIre · 10/02/2021 13:02

UPDATE: Scan all done, the consultant did it himself. Baby’s heart is perfect as far as he can see. Took him a long time to get a proper look as kiddo was putting hands to face. I got referred because of not getting a clear view of the four chambers and having a 2 vessel cord. They explained to me after that having a 2 vessel cord is fine if nothing else is wrong but it can come along with heart issues etc. Consultant referred me for a growth scan in 3rd trimester because of 2 vessel cord but it won’t be done by him.
Thanks a mill everyone for sharing and for your support ❤️❤️

OP posts:

nocturnalke · 10/02/2021 13:23

Aww it's lovely to hear your update. Thanks for sharing. I know it's all scary when these things happen. My DD is six months next week and still remember being nervous throughout my pregnancy. Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!

RWK29 · 10/02/2021 14:13

@StaceyIre Great to see your update ❤️ Hope you’re feeling lots more reassured after seeing the consultant 😊

Original poster

StaceyIre · 10/02/2021 22:35

@RWK29 reassured is an understatement, on a high I’m so relieved. @nocturnalke your comment made me laugh! I sitting in the waiting room today with my husband and he turns to me and said how do people’s nerves stick going through this more than once or do they forget about all this part!!obviously no one forgets about the nervousness so! I’ll just try to focus on enjoying things now and stop worrying soooo much

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ragged · 10/02/2021 22:37

Try not to worry. 99%* of the 'issues' they find in scans are false alarms.

actually I don't know the real %, but I wouldn't be surprised if 99% is a too low estimate. They really do spend a lot of time looking at things that turn out to be 'nothing' to worry about.

TwinklyLaughNot · 10/02/2021 22:44

Great news!

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