Abnormal heart at 12 weeks HELP!

[PatPat21]

Hi guys, I just wanted to share my story and get your views as I'm struggling to keep calm. Im 12 weeks into my first pregnancy, last Monday I had my first scan. The lady said everything was fine except the heart. She said it looks abnormal. The lady referred me to specialists and two days later I had another 3 scans. There were three doctors assessing me and at the end they told me they can't see 4 chambers of the heart. In the report from the scan they stated they have an 'impression of smaller right ventricle and no inflow' as it was hard to identify due to the fact the heart is 7mm. They could see the left ventricle clearly. However, they told me it won't develop anymore, just grow bigger. The condition is called 'single ventricle circulation'. They also told me I need to think if I still want to continue with the pregnancy.

What do you guys think about this? Normally they don't check baby's heart at 12 weeks as its really small, they measured my baby's heart 7mm. Normally they check the heart at 20 weeks. Do you think it is due to the baby's position? Is the heart too small thats why they cant see it properly? Did anyone else have this kind of situation? Or are the doctors just scaring me?

In two weeks I have another scan to check the baby's heart, I'm just hoping this is a big misunderstanding. I also booked an appointment in two different private clinics to get a second opinion, however they don't scan at 12 weeks, I need to wait until I'm 16 weeks.

I didn’t want to read and run. I have no experience of what you are going through as I have never got to the 12 week stage but I just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear that you have this worry. It sounds like you are receiving attentive care from your hospital. I do hope you receive good news soon. Try to rest and take it easy on yourself too. I know the mind games that this sort of thing created in ones own head. The best of luck to you. Xxxxx

I similarly didn't want to read and run but like the PP don't have any experience of what you're going through. We had bad news at our 12 week scan in our pregnancy before this one but that was a totally different situation.

I was under the impression that the heart was too small for them to see at the 12 week scan but sounds like you've had a number of experts scanning you so I guess they must be able to tell some things at this stage.

It's hard until you know the severity of the potential condition to make any decisions and a number of conditions are treatable. I think all you can do is wait and see what the next scans shows and go from there. So sorry you're going through this x

I'm sorry you're going through this.

From our 12-week scan, we were referred to the fetal medicine unit for a more detailed scan and an echocardiogram with a consultant (as a result of high NT measurement). The report we got includes some quite specific commentary on the heart, but also that there's detail they won't be able to see until the baby is bigger.

So, I guess what I would understand is that they can potentially see some things - or possibly indicators - at 12 weeks, but not everything in detail.

I know the waiting for test results/next scans is awful, especially when you feel like you've been told something might be wrong but it can't be clarified now. I think you probably can only wait and see, I wish there were a better answer. Take care of yourself as well as you can in the meantime

I really appreciate your comments, thank you so much. And yes, all I can do is just wait, I have a big hope this is a misunderstanding and everything will be fine with my baby. As the doctors were saying they can't tell me nothing for 100% as they can't see details in the scan yet. I'm only 20 years old, no previous family history with heart conditions, I'm healthy and I just can't believe this is happening to me.

Hi op my DD had a single ventricle condition. We first became aware of the issue at 22weeks and can well remember the shock and unrealness of it all. A lady I met in picu after she was born summed it up for me as "this thing happens to other people", you never expect it to happen you.

In our case it wasn't clear what way it would go right up to after birth (she might have been able to have a biventricle repair). Unfortunately for us her condition was very complex and she passed away shortly after birth. I have heard of folks who have had the opposite happen and things look better as the pregnancy progresses\after birth.

Have you been seen by a fetal cardiologist yet? They are best placed to assess what is going and talk to you about prognosis, next steps etc. You have time to think about what you want to do so don't rush (although I appreciate waiting is agony). Little heart matters is a charity that specialises in single ventricle conditions so maybe look them up.

Thank you utter. Sorry for your loss as well

Im really sorry for you losses, and I can't believe these things actually happen to the innocent babies :(. Thank you for sharing your stories! I just need to wait and see, for me the heart is too small right now, I rather wait until 16 weeks so I will know for sure. Its really hard for me now to think I might have to terminate my pregnancy, however it would be harder for me if my baby would pass away after birth, I wouldn't be able to go through this.

Hi @PatPat21 - how did things turn out for you? I’m dealing with a similar situation right now and can’t relax