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Original poster

my 20 week scan i dont understand

47 replies

jasminejo24 · 09/04/2011 01:08

i had my 20 week ultrasound scan a few days ago and my baby was lying in a funny position so the nurse could see the heart beat but couldnt get a good enough look to check for abnormality. she also said the stomach of the fetus was too small in relation to the head.
she has booked me in to birmingham womens hospital in a few days time. this is a long way and i cant drive.
i dont understand what the problem is. the heart could be checked again here in kidderminster when the baby is in a better position. so is the fact that the abdomen of my baby is a little small a big problem? i dont know what a small stomach means no one would tell me what affect it would have on my baby.
i just want to know what having a small stomach could possibly mean that is so bad that she decided to send me so far away on such short notice.
its got me so worried id apreciate anyone who had a similar experience sharing with me. even if the news is bad id rather know the best and worst to expect then not knowing anything.
thanks x

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Katiekatiekatekate · 09/04/2011 07:24

I had a scan that had some "abnormal" measurements (I can't even remember what they were now) and was referred for an extra scan at a different hospital. I think it was because the other hospital had slightly more up to date scanning equipment, rather than because it was potentially anything terrible. Everything was fine, DS is 7 months old now and super healthy.

I'm really no expert at all but I would say try not to worry. I would hope that if it could be something serious they would have explained to you a bit better. I think that sometimes because they see dozens of scans a day they can forget that it's your only one and anything they say that sounds slightly off normal makes you terrified! Good luck.

WillbeanChariot · 09/04/2011 07:52

Hello- sorry you are so worried, it's rubbish noone took the time to speak to you properly. I know from my DS that a small abdomen can be a sign of growth restriction, as if your baby isn't growing well it will favour brain growth and other vital organs over the abdomen. So I think they probably want to check measurements with a detailed scan and decide if you need more monitoring. Hopefully all will be well. My DS was growth restricted and had to be born early but he's fine now and I'm very grateful for the scans he had.

Good luck and I hope all is well.

wobblyweeble82 · 09/04/2011 07:52

What katie katie kate kate said :)

stegasaurus · 09/04/2011 10:55

I don't know what the implications are of the stomach being comparatively small, but Birmingham Womens Hospital is the regional fetal medicine centre so will have the most up-to-date equipment and the experts on scanning and detecting and dealing with any problems. It is bad though that no one took the time to explain to you what the problems might be and why you need a repeat scan in Birmingham. I had a fetal medicine scan at BWH and everyone was very nice. Hope everything turns out to be ok with your baby.

Joannezipan · 09/04/2011 11:23

It might be that they want to do a different type of scan. I know some hospitals have colour and 3d scanners which can get more detail. Phone your community midwife and ask maybe?

Original poster
jasminejo24 · 09/04/2011 11:55

thanks to everyone for your posts. this is such a stressful time that its nice to know im not allone x

OP posts:
jellybeans · 09/04/2011 12:09

Hi, with my 3rd DD we were told there was something wrong at the 20 week scan (nothing stomach related). They (radiographers) made out it wasn't anything to worry about but when we went into the consultants room, she said it usually means other serious abnormalities. We were referred to the fetal medicine centre the next morning. they were very good and offered amnio and other issues. We didn't want an amnio but were 'forced' to have one, because the only treatment avaliable to enable DD to survive was only avaliable if the baby was shown to have no chromosome disorders. Sadly she did have something very rare and severe and they could do nothing :(
Hopefully in your case it is nothing like that and just because they have specialist equipment. I would think that if there was anything serious they would have referred you the same or next day and prepared you beforhand. Hope everything is OK.

Original poster
jasminejo24 · 10/04/2011 00:35

im sorry to hear of your misfortune jellybeans i hope things got better for you. i just think its so unfair that some midwives and doctors just presume you know whats goin on or they decide for you wether you need to know the best and worst outcomes of a discovery .
personally i like to know the worst and best possible outcome so i dont have to feel worried for days before i find out wats wrong.
i like to have time to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
ill let you all know what happened when i come back on tuesday so anyone who reads this in the future can feel less in the dark.

OP posts:
Katiekatiekatekate · 11/04/2011 18:53

Good luck for tomorrow.

PoppysMom · 12/04/2011 04:43

Good luck! Thinking of you

hsmom · 12/04/2011 07:26

Hi Jasmine,
Good luck. I have been to BWH fetal medicine every single week since 21 weeks after I was referred from my 20 week scan. Its been a roller coaster (see the thread called IUGR), but i am now in the home strait.
I am there again today! I have a scan this morning. I am now 35 weeks.

The staff are phenomenal. My consultant is fabulous and better at giving me all the info and answering my questions than any other doctor I have ever met.
I hope your visit goes OK. do post and tell us. You really are in the very best hands.

Original poster
jasminejo24 · 12/04/2011 18:10

i do love birmingham hospitals.
well the heart seemed fine but the baby is far too small for dates. however this time i was given more than sufficient info.
due to the possible risk of downs or other chromosome problems i have had a blood test and amnio. it was odd and a bit painfull but fingers crossed we get a good result.
ill have most of the news in a matter of days so ill let you all know.
also the baby had a bright spot around the blader so im going back in 2 weeks for more checks.
thanks to everyone who has given me support. it is very much apreciated.
i will update this thread when i find out more so any other mothers with similar problems can get info.
so far its either small for no reason
serible pausy
downs or
small placenta

OP posts:
hsmom · 13/04/2011 09:15

Great news Jasmine!
Fingers crossed its the 'no reason' reason. Thats what I am holding out for too :-)

Original poster
jasminejo24 · 18/04/2011 00:49

well the amniocentesis result came back and unfortunately the baby has an extra chromosome for every pair of chromosomes. the likelyhood of it surviving is slim to nil and it will not live long even if it survives till birth so ive decided upon termination as i just cant go through the next 20 weeks knowing its all gonna end badly.
i must stress though to any other mothers reading this thread the chances of bright bowl and a tiny foetus meaning the same outcome for you is slim.
thankyou to everyone who wrote to me.

OP posts:
ButterflySally · 18/04/2011 04:58

Jasminejo, I'm so so sorry to hear your amnio outcome. I've been lurking on this thread but wanted you to know I'm really thinking of you. Do you have supportive people around you in real life?

nothingnatural · 18/04/2011 05:06

Oh jasminejo I'm so sorry to hear that the news was so awful. I hope you manage to get through this with as much love and support as possible.

Jill72 · 18/04/2011 09:19

Very sorry to hear your news - great respect to you on making such a tough choice - hope the future holds brighter things for you x

hsmom · 19/04/2011 14:18

Hi Jasmine, all my thoughts go out to you as you get through the coming days and weeks. I had a medical termination at 21+ with my last baby so I can truly empathise. it's very very hard and you must allow yourself time to grieve for your baby.
Best wishes and love xxxxxx

PoppysMom · 20/04/2011 03:28

I am so sorry Jasmine.
My thoughts are with you and your family

Original poster
jasminejo24 · 23/04/2011 00:21

i have the induced labour tomoro. im quite worried. i cant find any info other than what the procedure involves. id just like to know if i should expect lots of unbearable pain or pain that i can cope with or how the doctors will help if i cant do it, what if its breech will there be a cesarian?
im annoyed that so many of these questions are answered by people claiming its murder at 22 weeks and telling the women who are asking to change there minds.
i feel sad and guilty but i know i shouldnt my baby had a high chance of death before term and it has triplody wich is fatal.
my heart goes out to hsmom and anyone else who has had or is having this procedure. after this is over if anyone who has to go through this wants to know of my experience ill post the answers to all the questions i wanted answers to above
thankyou all for reading my posts im happy to know others care others have been there and that not everyone thinks im a monster for my choice.
all of your kind words will surely help me tomoro.

OP posts:
Jas · 23/04/2011 00:50

Just found and read this thread....I will be thinking of you tomorrow Jasmine.

As far as I know, under these circumstances you will be offered as mcuh pain relief as you want. I'm sorry I can't answer your questions, and hope someone comes on who can.

xx

Clary · 23/04/2011 00:57

Oh Jasmine, only just seen this thread, I am so so sorry for what you are having to go through.

A friend of mine had a stillbirth at 30 weeks, so a bit later than you, the baby had died and she had to be induced, so I'm guessing that will be similar to your labour; she said at the time the staff were fantastic, really caring, any pain relief she needed available etc.

So sorry - please take time to grieve for your baby. My friend named her daughter and they had a funeral service for her. Please get all the support and counselling you can.
Thinking of you.

chipmonkey · 23/04/2011 01:09

jasmine, if you post a question in Antenatal tests/choices, there will be ladies there who have had to go through this and will be able to give you more info. So very, very sorry you are going through this.

Original poster
jasminejo24 · 23/04/2011 01:24

im hoping to keep her. her name was going to be lilly and i want to have her cremated so i can scatter her ashes in a beautiful valley near here where my partner played as a child but a few doctors have said they are not sue if i can keep her. i dont want her to be thrown away with the medical rubbish she might only be 22 weeks but she was going to be mine.
i cant sleep and ive only got till 9am before i have to be there.
i cant stop crying i feel guilty that i chose fetocide and termination but i was so scared of misscarying at home or watching my baby in pain or dying after birth. my babys dissorder is fatal and i felt it was selfish to continue just so i could hold her alive incase she was in pain or dying soon after birth.
i know this will all be over on sunday and i can focus on mourning and dealing with what has happened but sunday seems so far away. thankyou all for wishing me well here's hoping my next post is less sombre and hoping my next baby is healthy.

OP posts:
crochetcircle · 23/04/2011 08:42

jasminejo I'm so sorry you are going through this, and you are in my thoughts today and this weekend.

You are her mother, and your decision was based on your love for her. Please don't feel guilty or that others will judge you.

Take care of yourself and allow yourself time to grieve. I hope you have lots of support in RL but know that MN is here for you too.

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