12 week scan - enlarged bladder (Megacystis)

[FirstTimeMummy2024]

Hi I wondered if anyone has had a similar experience they could share?

I went for my 12 week scan on Friday and the sonographer did not mention anything during the scan and said all looks normal but he wasn’t very forthcoming or reassuring. Then when I got home I looked at my notes and saw he had marked that everything was fine except he had written “Bladder: Megacystis” which I’ve since learned is essentially an enlarged bladder for the gestation age.

As nobody had explained this to me during the scan, the first thing I did was Google (I know, not helpful!) which naturally made things 100x worse as I read all of the worst case scenarios. Essentially if baby has Megacystis it can often point to a blockage that means baby is not able to pass urine. I read this can resolve itself between 12-20 weeks in a lot of cases but if not, it can cause a build up on amniotic fluid in baby’s bladder which then travels to kidneys and lungs and cause development problems 😞

Apparently it means baby could also be at increased risk for Edwards or Pataus so I’m waiting for my combined bloods test to come back on that side of things. My NT showed 1.2mm of fluid on baby’s neck which I believe is very low.

Ive since had a follow up private scan and the sonographer confirmed he could see the enlarged bladder too (it’s actually visible on the scan pictures, seen as a black circle in the lower body). However the private sonographer did also say that there is plenty of amniotic fluid around baby which suggests he/she is able to urinate currently.

After calling the antenatal clinic and expressing my concern I have also spoken to a consultant because I wanted to know why it was added to my notes but not explained. They said it’s too early to confirm as a major issue as can often resolve so they won’t scan me until 20 weeks as it was not flagged by the sonographer.

Im worried sick that baby is being left with this and not monitored. I feel like I should be doing something and I’m anxious every time I look at the scan photos and see the enlarged bladder. I wish I’d never read my hospital notes.

I wondered has anyone had a similar experience at 12 weeks? Praying that I’m one of the lucky ones and that this resolves by 20 weeks. Seems mad to me though that they wait until 20 weeks to confirm if there’s a serious issue that could result in them recommending a termination. Surely they should try and confirm sooner?

Sorry for such a long post, just going out of my mind ☹️

This happened to me but in my case it was explained. I was so so upset as I imagine you are. I was told not to Google!! I also had an appointment for a follow up scan with the fetal medicine unit at 16 weeks to see if it had resolved. It had.
I was offered an amniocentesis to check for any other abnormalities but declined.
My baby boy was born healthy and is now a strapping 16 yr old - the only thing is….he has the bladder of a camel! Never needs to go! Makes long journeys easy.

I hope your story is similar. Maybe you could see if you can get a scan at 16 weeks.

I didn't have this specific issue but other anomalies were identified during 12 week scan (holes in heart, dark areas in bowel or stomach).

Unfortunately the 'wait and see' approach seems quite common (it's what happened to me). We were sent away with a lot of 'dont knows' (and anxiety) and booked in again for 16 weeks. We were told, essentially, that lots develops in the pregnant during these early stages and many things change and there is little (nothing) they can do.

The pregnant turned out to be much more high risk and complicated than they thought, and I was under a lot of extra care and did have an amino in the end. But I think my experience is the minority here. Most anomalies resolve themselves

It's a horrible time to wait. Do speak to your community midwife and raise your concerns. They may be able to book you back in for another scan.

Take care

Sending love

@Beautifulsunflowers Thanks so much for replying and so reassuring to hear your son’s bladder resolved and he is completely healthy!

I did ask the consultant if I can be seen by fetal medicine unit before 20 weeks but she said because the sonographer had not referred me they wouldn’t look to scan me as it wasn’t raised as a major concern. But every story I’ve read, including now yours, seems to suggest most people are referred to fetal medicine so I think I may call back and keep asking. I feel like I’m being a pain but I also feel like I need the reassurance.

Do you recall how big the enlarged bladder was on your scan at 12 weeks? Mine is quite prominent (pic attached) - the black circle at the end of his/her body.

Im trying to take comfort that they said it’s not enough of a concern at this point but also want them to keep an eye on it.

@desikated Thanks for your kind wishes and reply.

So sorry to hear you too had a worrying time during pregnancy. It is already a stressful period and being told to “wait and see” only makes it worse.

How did your pregnancy progress? Really hope everything continued in the right way for you.

They have told me the same, that during the first few months so much is changing and developing that seeing an anomaly at 12 weeks can’t be relied on for how things will look at 16/20. I really feel like I should be seen before 20 weeks though.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply x

Hi my daughter is now nearly 2. All issues identified during pregnancy resolved during pregnancy )as in anomalies disappeared basically). She did then have some other difficulties but that was due to serious issues at birth and nothing else.

I constantly think there's something wrong with my daughter but I know that everyone else disagrees with me (!!) so probably says more about my anxiety.

We were seen at 16 weeks - but that was because they were worried I think. We were then seen at 20 weeks and then had loads more scans as I had some other health problems and my baby was huuuuge (9lbs 9oz at 39 weeks).

So. Anyway. Like the other poster said, push for an earlier scan. Or if they won't then ask to speak to someone at least to get some clarity.

If you want to chat feel free to PM. It's utterly shit waiting and feeling so uncertain. Sending you love x