Possible heart problem

[KeepSmiling83]

Hi

We had a 2nd anomaly scan yesterday after the sonographer couldn't get all the measurements at our 20 week scan. I'm 23 weeks now and she was still unable to see the 4 chambers of the heart so has referred us for a specialist scan by a cardiologist. I'm currently waiting to find out when my appointment will be but it looks like at least a weeks wait.

Has anyone had similar news at their scan? I haven't googled (as the sonographer warned me not to) but I'm just so frightened that there is something wrong. The sonographer was surprised she couldn't get the measurement which makes me think there must be something wrong rather than baby just being in an awkward position.

This is my second pregnancy and in my first we ended up having an amnio at this exact point after bad news at the 20 week scan. Everything turned out fine but I feel like I've used up all my good luck and now I'm just waiting for bad news. It's the waiting that is so hard.

Hi keep just wanted to say I've also been in this position and although they did find all 4 chambers 2 defects were diagnosed. I'm n the end our dc did have 2 surgeries and is now fine. I hope it goes well for you

Thank you. I have been given an appointment tomorrow so haven't got to wait as long as I feared. Were the operations soon after your DC was born? I'm glad everything worked out well for you.

DC had his first op at six days old, although it was supposed it be within 12 hours but he was a lot better than they expected. Second op was 19 months supposed it be no older than sixth months. They may ask you to have an amino to rule out any under lying causes as some defects are more common in chromosome disorders. I'm not saying this to scare you as most of the time it just ends up being random and your baby is the one in the 1 in 133 children who are born with CHD. Also try and look Heartlink they are an amazingly supportive charity even if it turns out nothing is wrong they maybe able to prep you for what may happen in the appointment.

Thank you very much.

I had to have an amnio in my last pregnancy so at least I know what to expect if they suggest that. I think I'll have another sleepless night tonight but thank you for sharing your story.

I had a specialist scan in my third pregnancy having been referred because dd2 has a heart defect - mild pulmonary stenosis which has not required treatment (she is now 14) nor caused her any discernable issues. The scan itself was very similar to an anomaly scan but with visibly higher tech equipment (was at a different hospital) and by a specialist who was excellent at talking to us about what she could see. When dd2 was diagnosed we were told it wouldn't have been visible on a scan but 6 years later technology had moved on and they were able to give us absolutel reassurance.
I think that's the overall message tbh re all CHDs - technology and treatments have come on leaps and bounds and it's no exaggeration to say that there is now a generation of children growing up who were born with defects which would have had poor survival rates only a few years ago. It's a VERY positive picture for the majority of defects. In any case we don't know yet that that is the issue for you. Could very well be you've just got a bit of a monkey in there At our anomaly scan with dd3, which was at our local hospital a few days after the heart scan, they couldn't get pictures of the heart either at first. Had to go and have lunch and come back. I did try to tell them that we weren't concerned but they weren't having any of it. So see how you go. There is another poster whose dd had a much more serious defect than mine, Can't remember her name but I've been on loads of threads with her over the years so if we turn out to need her I'll track her down for you

Hope it goes well today.

Thank you.

Everything was fine! The cardiologist is happy that the heart looks as it should and so I don't need to go back again. Am so relieved!

Oh wonderful! That's really great news. They do have some very cool technology when you get to specialist level don't they?

I'm so glad that's it's all ok. Hope you enjoy the pregnancy from now.

Brilliant news for you, what a relief xx

I'm glad I found this post

Looking for some advice

I had my 20wk scan and sonographer has referred me for specialist scan, she explained that it may be down to baby's positioning but his hearts right ventricle appears smaller than left. She advised me not to worry as it's only a slight discrepancy but I the not knowing for sure is horrible. Waiting for specialist scan which is the 5th January. Anxious wait

Anyone had similar experiences? Know anything about this?

Sorry very little personal experience but I had a friend whose baby I am fairly sure had this or very similar. (Can't remember which ventricle was bigger). At her specialist cardiac follow up they said it was atypical but nothing to worry about. She didn't need any follow ups. Her baby is now 3 and healthy. Sometimes the person scanning has only basic knowledge to 'check the box' which is why they refer you for anything not absolutely standard. Hopefully your specialist scan will be reassuring. Good luck.

Thank you