"Large patches on baby's bowel" - ultrasound today at 37 weeks. How worried should I be?

[basilbrush]

The patches (or echogenic bowel) were picked up during a growth scan today. The consultant was pretty useless and just told me to "Go home and try not to worry. It could be nothing and we'll only be able to diagnose properly when the baby is born"

So obviously, I went home, cried, and went straight on the internet!

As far as I can gather, it's good news that this is only showing at this very late stage and that my 20, 28 and 32 week scans were clear. This means that there is a higher chance of all being OK.

The bad news is that the patches do means an increased risk of Down's Syndrome, cystic fibrosis and / or bowel obstruction needing surgery.

I would be grateful for any info anyone could give me. I have organised another appointment on Mon (and DH will come too this time) as I feel we need a clearer idea of what could lie ahead and "trying not to worry" isn't going to help!

Did anyone else have a baby with echogenic bowel picked up at this late stage? What was the outcome?

Hi, my circumstances don't match yours but hopfully I can give you a potential bit of piece of mind.

My baby was showing a large patch of echo-bright gut at 20 week antenatal clinic scan which is now gone (I'm 36+1). I was then scanned in Fetal Medicine and was tested for all sorts of things, including cystic fibrosis, which came back negative.

However, I was told that the most likely thing causing the brightness on the scan was the baby swallowing clots from a bleed I'd had under the placenta. The bleed was only picked up in the Fetal Medicine scan as their machinery is more sensitive...is this where you've been referred for your scan next week?

Sorry your consultant has a rubbish bedside manner, mine has been lovely, hope you have a better time at your next scan!

Thanks, Trouble, that is helpful!

bump!

How did your scan go basil?

Well, in the end, they didn't do one. Said that it was pointless as they wouldn't be able to give us any more information. That at this late stage, it is very probably just meconium in the baby's gut and not a chromosomal problem but, obviously, no guaranteed answers till the birth.

We obviously can't do amniocentesis now and testing me and DH for cystic fibrosis genes would take weeks so all we can do is wait and "try not to worry" Am 37+4 but it seems like a very, very long wait!

This was picked up at my 20 week scan and was still present right up to when my son was born. Like you, I consulted Dr Google and scared myself senseless. We were tested for CF carrier status and I was also tested for various viruses but all tests came back clear. He turned out to be fine and we never did find out the reason for the echogenic bowel, putting it down to some blood that he had swallowed from somewhere. I'n not going to tell you to try not to worry (as I know that is impossible) but I hope that the next few weeks pass as quickly as possible for you.

Sorry you haven't got any further information basil but the fact that there's been nothing to pick up on previous scans is hopefully a good sign.

I'm having a c-section next week so may not be back here for a while, but I hope everything goes well for you.

Hi basil - this sounds scary, but a lot of the info above is very hopeful. I don't have any experience, but just wanted to say that you may not be waiting as long as you think: with DD, first baby, labour started at 38 weeks on the button and she was born at 38+1 with no problems at all. So hope you will be meeting your little one soon and in perfect health. Wishing you all the very best.

Trouble thank you very much and good luck for for next week!

Something OMG, if my labour started in 48 hours time I would be one very happy bunny! DC1 was 40+6 and DC2 was 40+1 so my hopes aren't high. Maybe a 39 weeker if I'm really lucky?

Thank you both for your messages of support