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In complete shock,abnormalities on 20 week scan

102 replies

realnappiesmum · 05/07/2012 00:29

Had 20 week scan today, showed nuchal fold at 9mm, all four limbs short and calcification on liver. Seen by obstetrician, repeating scan tomorrow. He spoke about chronsomal problems and syndromes. Didn't have information from today's scan about heart and brain but will look on 2nd scan tomorrow. Spoke briefly about amnio and other diagnostics tests, but will discuss more tomorrow after scan. Anyone had these show up on scan together, consultant said may be due also to viral infection but as three all together unlikely to be viral. Didn't say which viruses could have caused these. Husband and I heads spinning and in so much shock. Want to have some questions ready to ask consultant but just can't think straight at moment. Also worried about risk o miscarriage from amnio. Any advice?

OP posts:
designerbaby · 13/07/2012 16:05

Hi Realnappiesmum,
Hoping you're doing ok, are not too hungover from the wine, and get some good news today...

You're in my thoughts a lot, I know from experience how truly awful the waiting is... (((((((un-mumsnetty hugs))))))))

And Wine...

db
xx

mrsbigz · 13/07/2012 22:07

hi realnappiesmum - i've been reading this thread and am so sorry i haven't yet posted. i just wanted to say i hope that you're doing ok. we lost a little girl @ 17wks in march last year following a horrible 12wk scan - we too had an amnio and i remember only too well the couple of days after the procedure waiting for the results. and yes, the sick feeling not wanting to find out, but also needing to know either way. unfortunately for us the results were not in our favour, but if it helps in any small way i think the 'waiting and not knowing' part was the worst. once the results came back we were then able to move on as we had the information required rather than one minute being completely positive, and then next thinking the worst, and the rollercoaster of emotions that come with all that!
i hope that if you have your results today they are on the positive - if you find you have to wait until monday then i suggest lots of distractions if possible, plus some chocolate, films to watch, more chocolate, another glass of wine and then more chocolate!!! thinking of you and sending much love xxx

nosleepwithworry · 13/07/2012 22:17

Oh, i am holding my breath wating for you to post.

Ive got everything crossed in hope for good news xxxx

whiteandyelloworchid · 13/07/2012 23:08

so sorry your going through this.
i shall be keeping my fingers crossed for you.
all the waitiing is a terrible ordeal ofr you.

AliceHurled · 14/07/2012 07:14

Thanks realnappies. You take care of yourself while waiting. Thinking if you .

realnappiesmum · 14/07/2012 14:27

Ok, got results back. Our precious little girl has Down Syndrome. We both want to continue with the pregnancy. The cystic hygroma still remains a big concern. We are seeing consultant next week to discuss results and what the way forward is. Making another long list of questions to take with us. Midwives both being brilliant.

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AuntPepita · 14/07/2012 14:49

Wishing you all the best. I had an amnio and would also have carried on if it had been downs.
Have you seen Kelle Hampton's blog? http://www.kellehampton.com/2010/01/nella-cordelia-birth-story.html here It is amazing, but I warn you it will make you cry!
All the best for the future.
AP xx

AuntPepita · 14/07/2012 14:50

Sorry I messed that up - on phone
Try www.kellehampton.com/2010/01/nella-cordelia-birth-story.html

manitz · 14/07/2012 14:50

hello how are you doing now? I hope everything goes well for you during the rest of the pregnancy and your little girl is born healthy. x

DontEatTheVolesKids · 14/07/2012 14:59

It's good that you've got some answers. Keep your spirits up. :)

MrsHelsBels74 · 14/07/2012 15:01

Glad you have some answers finally & can settle down to the rest of your pregnancy.

beatofthedrum · 14/07/2012 16:29

Wishing you the very best throughout your pregnancy and I hope you find answers to your concerns. Warm thoughts for you and your litle girl x

realnappiesmum · 14/07/2012 20:41

Auntpepita, thank you for the link to kelle Hampton. I read about little Nella and was in tears when I watched the trailer for Bloom about her birth. She is a beautiful little girl.
Still worrying about cystic hygroma and pericardial effusion. Don't know if anyone else has experiences of these. Are there any other threads that would be helpful to read? I am aware that they can lead to hydrops,which can be bad news.

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WipsGlitter · 15/07/2012 16:50

realnappies I've a son with DS if you want to pm me. There's also a good Facebook group future of downs. There's lots of good advice there and a few other mums with a pre-birth diagnosis. It's tough, but my heart now sings when I see my little boy. x

saintlyjimjams · 15/07/2012 16:59

Hi realnappiesmum - have a search on eidsvold's name - she has a lovely girl with DS which was diagnosed pre-natally. Also come and chat to us on Special Needs - there are quite a few mums with young babies/children with DS on there.

And although it isn't always the easiest path to tread (if you like a quiet life) welcome to the world of learning disabilities. I mean that genuinely. It's a world I never knew existed before I had ds1 really and it can be a great place, full of warmth, humour, fun and strong friendships.

realnappiesmum · 16/07/2012 20:13

Only just had chance to reply. Thank you WipsGlitter, not used pm before so may take me a while. Had a look at future of downs and looks a very good website. Thank you Saintlyjimjams, I have done a search for Eidsvold as well. May put post on Special Needs as well. Still compiling list of questions for consultant this week.

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whatinthewhatnow · 16/07/2012 20:20

realnappies I'm glad you have some answers and I really hope that the cons appointment answers your questions. Will there be a paediatrician there too?

realnappiesmum · 16/07/2012 20:30

Hi Whatin, midwife from FMC said neonatal or paeds will be involved once I am 24weeks although neonatal will be informed sooner I think due to hygroma and effusion. Another question on my list.

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scummymummy · 16/07/2012 20:49

Hope you get a lovely consultant to compliment your lovely midwives, realnappies.

Good idea to search for eidsvold, jj. I think eidsvold's little girl had some heart problems that were successfully corrected. Eidsvold is one of my favourite mumsnet posters ever.:)

freshfruitsalad · 16/07/2012 23:55

At least you know now realnappiesmum
It was a huge relief for us getting our results, so many signs of downs, then finally the amnio confirmed it, we are feeling very positive now, the shock of the news will go away and you will start to feel normal again soon, to us our baby is just as exciting now, extra chromosome or not!

I'm 28 weeks now, every week of a healthy pregnancy is a bonus and I'm going to miss little one inside of me when they come out Grin

designerbaby · 17/07/2012 10:47

Hi Realnappiesmum,
I'm glad you've got some answers... I know it's a difficult road ahead for you, but your little girls has the best of starts ? a Mum and Dad who already love her unconditionally.

I have two friends who have recently had children with Downs Syndrome, one little boy is just three, the other is the same age as my youngest, give or take. (2 and a bit.) Both are delightful, engaging children, who play beautifully, are very affectionate (far more than my DD2 which makes me a bit Envy especially when they're getting a cuddle and my DD2 is wrestling me going "Stop it Mummy! Get OFF!"...) and a joy to have to visit.

At church there is a wonderful girl, she's about 18, with Downs Syndrome who volunteers with the children's ministry. She often helps out in the pre-school room, where she is "chief cuddler" and usually has three or four pre-schoolers jostling for space next to her for story-time. She's wonderful, and a really important part of our church community. She's always there, greeting everyone with a smile and a hug, she knows everyone, everyone knows her. She's a huge blessing to everyone she comes into contact with. My children think she's the absolute bomb.

(My youngest, incidentally, is convinced she's an angel. She may be right, actually.)

I'm sure for these children's parents, their lives have become rather different to what they imagined. And not always easy. But honestly, these children are wonderful, and very, very special.

Really really pray that other health issues get sorted, and that your little girl is born healthy and happy.

She's very lucky to have you as a mum, and I'm sure she'll give you so much more than you can ever imagine in return ? as all children do.

Much love,

db
xx

motherOfOne27 · 17/07/2012 20:32

I just wanted to send some hugs your way realnappiesmum

on my 20 week scan I was told my baby may have Edwards syndrome we had a amnio and blood tests do I totally broke down and couldn't even think about things going on around me until we got the all clear, which we did.

We were told of fluid on the babies brain and talapies on the hands and feet, and I was given an option to either continue with my pregnancy or ..
Anyway the tests came back fine and he was born with no abnormalities even though I was told he would have turned in feet that would possibly need surgery or manipulation to straighten.
I hope that you your both ok, this is such a stressful for time for you and your baby but please try to look after yourself sometimes they do get things wrong hopefully an amnio will give you the information that sometimes can be misread on a scan.
I will be thinking of you and your family
xxxx

realnappiesmum · 17/07/2012 21:29

Thank you for messages. DB , you made me cry, in a good way! You were so sweet.FFS, glad to hear you've relaxed and enjoying rest of pregnancy. Have you been told anything about movements in babies with Downs, I'm only feeling occasional kicks or thumps, not sure if this is because she is a smaller baby or due to Downs or the fact that I'm only 21 weeks. MofOne so good to hear everything ok with you and baby. That must have been an awful time for waiting for results. Seeing consultant tomorrow to discuss results and plan forward. Not sure if he will do another scan tomorrow , will be worried in case things have worsened. Can I fast forward to November and my little girl be in my arms safe and well with her extra special 47 chromosomes?!

OP posts:
freshfruitsalad · 17/07/2012 22:12

I've been told to watch movements from 28 weeks onwards, mine has been kicking like a trooper, I felt movements really early on though so guessing placenta is in the best place for movements! I didn't feel much at 21 weeks either just odd movements usually after food, by now they are in a routine and I can time movements down to a tee; which is great, occasionally he/she seems to go quiet but I do notice the kicks are aimed towards the back rather than out the front through my tummy; so I presume baby jsut moves around a bit

Our pregnancy has hit a big brick wall today; our two existing problems of small VSD and fluid on the brain are nothing to worry about; this one is now a bowel obstruction; I did another thread on this earlier so I am not taking your thread off topic, but we are facing surgery straight after birth now :(

Whatever the problems with our babies, I am signing on here daily now to see how us and the other mums are getting along; bloody hard work this pregnancy lark isn't it :(

motherOfOne27 · 17/07/2012 22:20

realnappies my son is 6 now so please try to think positive, keep well and I hope everything goes ok
xx