Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

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

Original poster

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.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
emkana · 06/05/2006 23:31

I know what you mean, I hate it when people say all these things to me which are the normal, run-of-the-mill phrases said to pregnant women "How long to go?" "Gosh you're big!"

In a way I wish I could hide the pregnancy, not have to acknowledge it.

But just like you I already feel a very strong love for this baby.

Original poster
Arabica · 08/05/2006 13:18

I'm finding it hard to cope with such a long wait (3 days) until my appt. Unless am feeling the baby kick right there and then, it's really hard even to continue to trust that there is still something alive in there, and to remind myself that I have had no diagnosis--only a description of an indicator of a potential problem.

OP posts:
melsy · 08/05/2006 14:16

I hope you get through the next few days ok hun. Im so sorry you have to have this worry. Thinking of you and sending calm vibes xxx

emkana · 08/05/2006 14:47

Oh Arabica Sad

Think of mrsdarcy, her dd had very severe ventriculomegaly and she is FINE.

Also don't forget that scans are SO unreliable - the ventricles of my baby's brain have been measured at anything from 8 mm to 15 mm!

Also I have had three scans in the last four weeks - the transcerebral diameter has been measured at 42 mm, one week later 37 mm, one week after that 47mm!

They do get it wrong, you know, so hold on to those thoughts and don't despair!

I have been all at sea since January now, with no definite diagnosis forthcoming, and it is incredibly hard, I know. I really, really hope for you that you will have certainty and good news very, very soon.

Take care. XXX

Original poster
Arabica · 09/05/2006 08:58

Thanks emkana and melsy. It's just so hard to keep up the positivity all the time. DH in absolute denial and concentrating on trying to catch the mice that have moved in during our building work!

OP posts:
ggglimpopo · 09/05/2006 09:23

I had a lot of probs in my third pg and was also in limbo. The only piece of advice I had that really made sense at the time was "Don't try to be positive all the time, just try to get through it". It did help as I sort of felt, stupidly in retrospect, that it was up to me to keep positive and support those around me and that I was letting everyone down (and betraying the baby) if I wasn't 'upbeat' about it all.

My measurements were way out (also went to Kings) and at one point I was told that the chances of the baby being unaffected by some form of abnormality were the odds stacked against her, 10:1. Termination was mentioned more than once. I spent 7 months of pg in a total daze, not buying or looking at baby clothes and leaving my diary deliberately empty so that nothing was planned/tempting fate.

She is fine, in spite of giving every indication to the contary in utero. She celebrated her tenth birthday last week.

Thinking of you both and wishing you all the best.

bundle · 09/05/2006 12:17

arabica, it was lovely to see you on friday, have been thinking about you all weekend, hope the next couple of days fly by.

Original poster
Arabica · 09/05/2006 12:42

ggglimpopo, that's exactly how I feel--if I lose it, everything goes pear-shaped! Although I am v lucky that I have a therapist so I can tell her (if nobody else) how desperately hopeless it all feels at times. Glad everything worked out OK for your DD.
Bundle, thanks, it was lovely to see you too. I am going to Shine Holistic for a pedicure so I will soon be even more fabulous!

OP posts:
bundle · 09/05/2006 13:05
Envy

Smile you deserve it

Original poster
Arabica · 10/05/2006 11:36

One day to go, am struggling with DH who has only just realised he has been in denial since our appt last week. I know everyone has their own way of dealing with these things, but I really haven't got the energy to look after his feelings as well as my own.

OP posts:
ggglimpopo · 10/05/2006 11:42

Don't try deal with his feelings. Look after yourself and when he is ready he will come to you. Chasing/supporting him whilst he is not able to accept what is happening will just drain you. Thinking of you.

Blu · 10/05/2006 11:47

Arabica - is anyone going with you tomorrow?

bundle · 10/05/2006 12:01

can you distract him with the mice? is he going with you tomorrow?

maltesers · 10/05/2006 12:11

Arabica...My son is now 5 yrs and in the womb he had mild ventricular megally.. He also had duodenal atresia in his stomach. As the weeks went on and the scans went on the fluid on the ventricles in the brain decreased.. My heart goes out to you... will be thinking of you . He may have learning delay or difficulties. Dont know any more than that. They said our little son would have cognative delay but luckily he is ok and bright as a button. I only hope for the that the fluid in the ventricles decreases for you on the next few scans.. It is a hard road. You have time yet i s;pose to think what to do. Will keep track of this thread and pray for you. Wishing you every best at your next scan.

Let me know how it went. ok?

Original poster
Arabica · 10/05/2006 12:39

Hi, DH is coming with me tomorrow but if all he wants to do is talk about mice and kitchen fittings, he can stay home as he will be no use!
Maltesers that's great news about your boy. The measurements were 'borderline' at 20wks and last week (27wks) they were 'severe'. However, no other problems were noted at that stage. That's why my consultant said I needed MRI, in case it's due to a missing bit of the brain/other nasty reason.

OP posts:
Blu · 10/05/2006 12:47

OK Arabica.
I work more or less up the road from King's ...I know you don't 'know' me - but I can be trusted not to talk about mice for an hour or so!!

Original poster
Arabica · 10/05/2006 13:03

OK Blu, I'll be in touch if necessary! I think he wil be OK, it's just taken him a week to realise (a) this is a potentially scary problem which isn't going to go away no matter how many mice he catches; (b) he's very frightened about the outcome; and (c) I might need some emotional support

OP posts:
bundle · 10/05/2006 13:04

arabica, blu would be a perfect person if you need her, lots of positive vibes coming your way, xxxxx

hoxtonchick · 10/05/2006 19:37

fingers crossed for tomorrow. xxxx

mrsdarcy · 10/05/2006 19:51

Thinking of you for tomorrow Arabica.
Smile

noddyholder · 10/05/2006 19:55

Good luck tomorrow I have been following your thread and have everything crossed for you xx

oops · 10/05/2006 20:03

fingers crossed, xxx

emkana · 10/05/2006 20:18

all the best for tomorrow, I'll be thinking of you XXX

Marina · 10/05/2006 20:41

Good luck for tomorrow arabica, thinking of you :) and hoping for the best.

blueteddy · 10/05/2006 20:42

Good luck tomorrow, Arabica.x