Heart abnormalities

[Noah2021]

Hi, I need some help / advice. I was pregnant in 2020 and at my anomaly scan at 12weeks the baby had a serious heart defect which lead to termination. I am currently pregnant 13weeks and I am scared to death to have an anomaly scan . I have this fear this might happen again , this has caused me to struggle to bond with the baby or be excited about pregnancy. I want to know if anyone has been in a Similar situation: what are the chances of this to happening again for the second time ? I am trying not to stress about it but l can't help myself

Hi OP,

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, and also the consequent incredible stress and anxiety of your current pregnancy.

I'm not in your situation but I have had a termination as my baby had a serious heart defect too. If I am able to get pregnant again - I have a vague plan for how I will manage scans as like you I'm pretty terrified of them - particularly the anomaly scan as you say - and I thought I'd share in case any of this is useful. I'd probably call the ARC charity helpline to talk through my worries with them. They're pretty incredible at supporting women post TFMR and in consequent pregnancies. I'd speak to my midwife or bereavement midwives from the previous pregnancy about it too. I'd try and speak to people who have experienced similar and see what they did (ARC has a forum to support women who have experienced TFMR - many of whom have gone on to have successful pregnancies afterwards and know how stressful and upsetting these can be). As your baby had a heart defect I think you should be able to have an early anomaly scan at 16 weeks / early fetal cardiac scan (from 13 weeks)? Although scans are exceptionally triggering for you - bringing them forward might be useful - or might not of course, given your previous experience.

Sending you much strength for your pregnancy. x