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

Anyone had Fetal MRI at Kings--help me prepare...

263 replies

Arabica · 03/05/2006 20:23

Had a scan today (am 27 wks). Baby has severe ventriculomegaly, excess fluid on both sides of the brain. I've been told this could mean anything from absolutely nothing, to potentially severe brain problem or tumour. So am having MRI so they can get a good look inside the brain and see that everything is OK. At least I know it's not chromosone related, as I had clear amnio already.
I'm going to get a call in next 2 days or so to go to Kings for scanhas anyone been and what is it like? Is it as noisy as a normal MRI? I'll be going by myself as DH can't get time off and I won't be getting any results that daywill be going back to my own consultant for them.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
PinkKerPlink · 04/05/2006 12:52

hope everythuing goes ok :)

Arabica · 04/05/2006 14:53

Emkana, don't worry, it wasn't mrsdarcy's posts that made me feel overwhelemed--I found them very encouraging. It's just the situation in general.
Bundle, I would love to meet up with you. Clissold Park cafe might be nice for your little ones now the weather is so lovely.

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PrettyCandles · 04/05/2006 15:10

Arabic - hugs for you and your bump. Hope it goes well and you have a good result.

Arabica · 04/05/2006 15:24

Thanks PC, how are you--haven't seen you in a while!

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bundle · 04/05/2006 15:24

shall i ring you? i found an old email from you - does your mobile number still end in 26?

hub2dee · 04/05/2006 15:28

I nearly met up with mrsd a few weeks ago. She is lovely and on our July postnatal thread... I will post a link to your thread, A.

PrettyCandles · 04/05/2006 15:30

I'm fine, thanks. We've moved out of London and haven't had a computer for a while, hence my absence.

Fingers crossed that all will be well for you.

batters · 04/05/2006 15:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

jayjaybaby · 04/05/2006 17:47

im so sorry arabica im sending huge positive vibes im sure you'll be ok but sending you hugs anyway

you must be so scared just remember we are all here for you

mrsdarcy · 04/05/2006 19:46

Hi Arabica, just been steered to this thread. I'm getting the children to bed now but will post later.

Smile

mrsdarcy · 04/05/2006 20:48

Arabica, I've CATed you.

The MRI machine is very bangy, but because they are concentrating on your middle rather than your head, your head is actually right at the far end of the machine (so you can see the room, not just the machine) which, I imagine, makes it less claustrophobic than an MRI of your own brain.

They need to take a number of images and they may have a few false starts whilst they determine the position of the baby's head. Obviously if the baby is very wriggly that will make things take longer.

The radiologist actually talked us through the images within half an hour of taking them, and gave them to us to take to the obs consultant. He phoned her to discuss them whilst we drove across town to the obs hospital, and we saw the obs consultant later that day. It was a shattering day but I was glad to get it all over with.

We had quite a long wait for the MRI as there was an emergency. The waiting was stressful but even more upsetting was seeing the poor boy who was the emergency case, and his stricken family Sad.

It was emotionally very draining. I'd recommend taking with you a trashy novel, sweets, drinks and someone else if at all possible. I wouldn't recommend driving but that may be because I am a very wussy driver. Despite what I've said above, I did find the machine a little claustrophobic so it might be worth thinking of a few techniques that would help you (deep breathing, reciting, counting, whatever)

As I'm sure you know, with chromosomal abnormalities ruled out the prospects are much brighter for your baby. And there are brain abnormalities that don't necessarily affect the baby's development.

I would strongly recommend enquiring about counselling to help you get through the rest of the pregnancy. It made a huge difference to me as I am able, to an extent, to "park" my worries in the knowledge that I could sob my heart out once a week with the counsellor.

xxx

Arabica · 04/05/2006 21:40

Thanks so much for postingexactly what I needed to know. I have had MRI before, for my spine, and luckily didn't find the experience too claustrophobicthe worst part was anticipating what was about to happen and not being able to move. Do you remember how long you were in the machine for?

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Arabica · 04/05/2006 21:48

I am very lucky--I already have a therapist, so I feel emotionally supported. But there is nothing like hearing from someone who has 'been there'.

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mrsdarcy · 04/05/2006 22:34

Maybe about half an hour, but I could be completely out. I was in and out of the machine whilst they adjusted the thing on my tummy, so at no point was I actually stuck in the machine for any significant length of time. Do you have a date yet? So glad you have emotional support.

We were put in touch with a paediatric neurosurgeon to discuss shunt operations and I actually found him extremely encouraging. He essentially said that so long as a shunt is put in quickly, DD's potential would be unaffected by it. As things turned out she didn't need one.

Oh, my other bit of advice is STAY AWAY FROM SCARY WEBSITES! Emkana doesn't listen to this one Grin

emkana · 04/05/2006 22:37

mrsdarcy is absolutely right there
do NOT look for information on the internet!!!
Grin

My MRI scan took between 20 and 30 mins I'd say.

emkana · 05/05/2006 22:01

Any news yet?

hub2dee · 06/05/2006 18:38
emkana · 06/05/2006 19:12

hub2dee - it's very kind of you to ask.

I did see the consultant - there's a thread about it
\link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=49&threadid=168494&stamp=060505155732\here}

I am atm resigned to my fate + in denial and trying to live as normally as possible until the truth will hit me some time in the next five weeks.

kitegirl · 06/05/2006 19:55

Arabica how scary for you
big hugs and lots of positive vibes coming your way
please keep us posted
xxx

hub2dee · 06/05/2006 21:00

Will post you a message on your thread, E. Many people have you in their thoughts ! X

Nbg · 06/05/2006 21:04

Lots of love Arabica.

Hope you are ok.

xxx

hub2dee · 06/05/2006 21:14

(And you A !)

Arabica · 06/05/2006 23:04

Hi there, just to let you know, I have an appt next Thurs. I get an ultrasound with one of their people first, then they'll decide if I need a fetal MRIapparetnly that's always their procedure. So am feeling reassured that I am getting a second opinion but also really scaredam developing a phobia of scan machines.

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emkana · 06/05/2006 23:08

Arabica, good luck for next Thursday then!

Scan machines are terrible things. Sad
I have had so many scans with this baby and so many different measurements - which the doctors don't seem to be too concerned about, but which really bothered me when 5mm difference can make all the difference between a severe and a mild/moderate condition!

At least an MRI gives a slightly more objective picture of the brain, so you will know more.

Fingers crossed for you and your baby. XXX

Arabica · 06/05/2006 23:29

Yeah--I remember with DS having a scan was such a joy.
It's all really surreal isn't iteveryday life goes on and now that I am 27.5 wks people are noticing my bump and asking me questions, but I really don't feel like talking about the baby. At times I wish it wasn't therebut I think I'm just desperately trying to protect myself. Of course I already love the baby--I did from the moment I discovered a blue line on my pg test.

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