Referred to fetal medicine after scan

[Worringwombat]

Hi,

(I have also posted this in the pregnancy forum but thought this might be a better place).
A scan has picked up cysts on both the baby’s kidneys and I have been referred to fetal medicine. The appointment is tomorrow. So worried, everything online suggest worse case scenario. Is a referral to fetal medicine always a sign that something is very wrong?

Hi @Worringwombat sorry to hear about your experience, I can empathise with the anxiety as I am under foetal medicine too (28 weeks pregnant now). My experience is slightly different as I was referred after my 12 week scan due to a high NT measurement. I can only refer to my own experience but so far there hasn’t been any more bad news (touch wood!) - so No, it doesn’t always mean bad news. It’s horrible to be told there may be something wrong but they’ll just have a closer look, that’s all it is at this stage. They’ve been pretty good with us and you will be in good hands.

It doesn’t always mean bad news, it means there’s something that might be serious, but often might also be pretty much nothing to worry about. I hope you’ve got an appointment already? If not it should be very soon, they usually manage to get you in quickly. You’ll be seen by an expert and scanned all in one appointment, and should leave with a much better understanding of what’s happening. Take a notepad with a list of questions, you’ll be anxious and will forget what you wanted to ask, and probably will forget what they tell you as well.

I’m so sorry you’re going through this, best of luck to you

Thanks so much for your replies. I am currently just under 30 weeks so it is a bit of a shock to get through all the other tests only for this to crop up incidentally. I am just hoping it is something that they can treat or manage. Thanks for the advice. The appointment is tomorrow, so will make a list of what I want to ask.

Hi, I got referred to fetal medicine after my sons 16 week scan. They picked up fluid in babies abdomen, I obviously googled it and the outcome of that was awful and couldn't find any optimistic explanation for it . Had two horrible days waiting for the appointment.
At the scan the doctor couldn't see anything and all was fine! Just wanted to say that they do make mistakes. Wishing you all the best x

I would like to think it’s a mistake but I am sure there is something as the sonographer seemed certain there was an abnormality - she just didn’t know what it was. Hopefully it is something on the less sinister end of the spectrum. The kidneys were working on the 20 week scan so hopefully that means something.

Hoping everything goes well tomorrow with your wee baba, thinking of you xx

Had my 20 week scan last Friday and they referred me to fetal medicine one cause they couldn't complete the heart scan due to baby laying in a difficult position but the sonographer said something about their diaphragm being slightly high than usual. Should I been concerned as I am waiting to be contacted by fetal medicine team but also what could it mean? Trying not to worry but kinda hard to when you are waiting.

Hi what happened with this ? I have also had a scan and was told everything is fine but then a day later got a call for a fetal medicine appointment and I’m not sure why the lady on the phone didn’t have any information for why on my scan I did notice after on the letter it said just over 24 weeks when I am just over 28 weeks is this something to be really concerned about ? I’m so confused as the person who scanned me said everything is normal but now I need a fetal medicine scan ?

Hi thank you for asking. When I saw the fetal medicine they will do another scan. In my case my daughter had CDH (congenital diaphragm hernia) with this usually indicates that she had developmental delay/defect what majority of the time could mean a chromosomal issue. They offered me an amniocentesis to confirm this also an MRI to check how severe her CDH was and if other organs were affected. I did both and unfortunately the day of my scan in the evening once I had the MRI. It was confirmed my daughter had Edwards syndrome and her life expectancy wasn't good in the slightest. She was born sleeping 4 days later. In your case I wouldn't be too concerned as they didn't have concern's with the actual scan but my just wanted to double check something wait for the next scan with fetal medicine as their scan is more accurate and sees things better. Hope this helps and just ask questions don't be afraid as the more information you have the better you can make an informed decision.