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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

12 week scan and baby's bowel has still not retracted

18 replies

hugglebug · 15/08/2012 11:13

Just that really. The sonographer said their was a thickening near the umbilical cord, most likely the bowel and that it should have gone in to baby's abdomen by now. I know this isn't the worse news one could receive but just feeling really sad and worried. Anyone else got experience of this please?

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ItsMyLastOne · 15/08/2012 11:20

I have no idea about it. Have they decided what they'll do next or are they just waiting till your 20 week scan?

minipie · 15/08/2012 11:23

Hi, no direct experience but a friend had this at her 12 week scan. She had another scan at about 14-15 weeks and her baby's bowel had retracted by then and they had no further complications. Will you be having further scans?

Treats · 15/08/2012 13:46

Hi hugglebug - this happened to me during my first pregnancy. The midwife saw that DD had a thick umbilical cord and thought that she might have gastroschisis where the tummy closes up before the organs are inside. The abdomen is just forming at around 12 weeks, so it's not possible to tell at that stage whether it's still forming or whether the baby is going to have gastroschisis.

Have you been offered a follow up scan? DD was scanned again at 14 weeks and there were no problems detected. She was perfectly healthy at birth and has continued to be so.

If it DOES turn out to be gastroschisis, then it's best to get the diagnosis before birth so that the hospital can plan to treat it as soon as possible. The baby will need to have an operation asap after the birth so that the intestines can be put back inside. As I understand it (from reading I did at the time), it's quite a straightforward procedure and is usually successful with no further problems.

FiveMonths · 15/08/2012 13:52

Do bear in mind that your first scan is often arranged to be between 12 and 14 weeks - so in that time frame a lot can have changed, and some people who have theirs at nearer to 14 weeks may have had the same issue as your baby, had their scan been a week or two sooner.

I hope it will all be Ok and resolved quickly x

Original poster

hugglebug · 16/08/2012 08:13

I'm being scanned by a foetal medicine Dr today. They think it's an "exomphalos" type of problem which means that aside from the protruding bowel baby could have other genetic or chromosomal problems . If Dr agrees today that there is a problem then I'll have a CVS tomorrow. I can't help but go through all the "what if's". DH feels that of baby has anything not fixable or life changing then we should terminate as I am disabled and he worries as to how we would cope. I'm just devastated at the possibility of having to think about a possible termination. Praying the Dr gets a clearer view today and gives the all clear.

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FoxyRoxy · 16/08/2012 09:32

hugglebug I'm sure your DH is having a knee jerk reaction as he's worried and afraid, just as you are. There are many, many conditions which are not fixable and life changing that are also completely manageable. Make sure you write down any questions you may have so you don't forget to ask the consultant, and make sure he/she explains everything fully. Good luck today.

Treats · 16/08/2012 10:23

Good luck today. Try not to worry too much. It's impossible to diagnose these things properly at 12 weeks, so there's a good chance that there's nothing to worry about.

Original poster

hugglebug · 17/08/2012 10:40

So it's definitely a exomaphlos.They can't do the CVS as they can;t get good enough images through the scan for it to be safe enough (due to my build). Have to wait now until September 7th for an amnio. there's a 30% chance of other genetic or chromasomal problems. Not sure how I'm going make it through until the 7th .

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Nemonemo · 17/08/2012 13:16

Hugs xxx

ItsMyLastOne · 17/08/2012 13:53

I'm so sorry to hear it wasn't good news. I hope you get better news after the CVS.

Treats · 17/08/2012 14:16

So sorry to hear this. Exomphalos is definitely treatable after the birth and most babies go on to make a full recovery and don't suffer any problems.

DH and I found this site very reassuring when we thought our little one might have gastroschisis. There are some very encouraging stories from other parents in your position.

Wishing you all the best.

Charleymouse · 17/08/2012 14:24

Hi Hugglebug
I had my first scan at 11 weeks where I was told I was expecting twins. I opted to have a nuchal scan instead of bloods at 14 weeks at this point from all being okay at the initial scan I discovered DT1 had an exomphalos.

I was told the worse case scenario that this may be indicative of other problems and told I had a 1/3 chance of chromosonal problems, specifially Edwards, Downs aand Pataus syndromes. I also opted for an amnio as it was too late for a CVS at this point and struggled to get to the date for the amnio. GEEPS was a great help as was ARC

I'm happy to report that DT1 had no chromosonal abnormalities so it is not unheard of to have an isolated exomphalos but he did have other issues.

Be prepared for aditional scans as they monitor your babies development all the way through your pregnancy. It may also impact on your method/place of delivery as I was advised to have a section at a hospital with a paediatric ward (so as not to impact on the exomphalos/as opposed to my local which would have resulted in my baby having to go in an ambulance to the local childrens hospital immediately after birth).

If it looks like an isolated incident you will see from the GEEPS website many children who come out fine (just without a tummy button). You will probably be offered a termination if there are any other issues but it will be so specific to your baby I can not generalise and would not wish to offer any advice as to what you should do as it will be down to your babies issues and you and DH.

Please take care of yourself and try not to look round that corner until you have to. Thinking of you and your DH at this dificult time. Take care if you want other info please let me know and I will be glad to help.

Charleymouse · 07/09/2012 04:13

Good luck with the amino today Hugglebug. Hope all goes well. Thinking of you.

Original poster

hugglebug · 30/01/2013 17:15

so we are at 38 weeks pregnant. The amnio came back clear and the scans don't show any further issues apart from a moderate exomphalos, bowel only. Baby is due to be delivered next week by c section. Fingers crossed they'll be no nasty surprises upon his arrival and that he is out of NICU speedily.

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jennybeadle · 30/01/2013 17:18

Best wishes to you all. I hope it goes as smoothly as possible.

5madthings · 30/01/2013 17:23

Good luck huggle and baby huggle, hope all goes smoothly xxx

ExpatAl · 30/01/2013 17:47

It's lovely to get an update. Best wishes for next week.

yfuwchhapus · 30/01/2013 18:13

Thank you for the update. Good luck for next week.

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