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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Anomalies on 20wk scan

15 replies

gemaW · 12/06/2022 12:09

I went for my 20wk scan on Thursday and baby is growing fine, but they found that he has a mega cisterna magna of 9.3mm and 4 holes in his heart. We wasn't really given any information or advice just that we needed to come back Tuesday for a scan with a cardiologist then sent on our way confused and terrified his going to die. I'm so scared and have so many questions. I already lost a baby at 24wks due to placenta abruption and have had multiple miscarriages this baby really is my miracle it's taken 14years to get pregnant. Has anyone had anything similar? I've googled and I can't really find any answers. I don't know how we're going to get through the next few days we just keep breaking down and fearing the worst.

OP posts:

RichmondMumof2 · 13/06/2022 10:31

Sending all the love.

I am not a medical person so cannot comment but am sending positive vibes and praying all will be well.

At several scans had ectopic beats and a small bump measured and I can understand the terror. Here to hold your hand.

fcukyoubitch · 13/06/2022 19:36

@gemaW hope all goes well tomorrow

RichmondMumof2 · 14/06/2022 22:41

How did it go @gemaW?

Thinking of you and hoping all is well. X

Original poster

gemaW · 14/06/2022 22:57

Somewhat ok, baby's cisterna megna is fine on the higher end of normal but fine. Babies tummy is on the wrong side but not a problem. His heart is deformed. He only has one chamber instead of 4 there is a possibility of a small second chamber but he would not stay still for a proper look. Have 2 diagnosis's but they are not final till the cardiologists have had a second look if baby stays still. Diagnosis 1: univentricular heart of uncertain morphology diagnosis 2: unbalanced avds. Have to go back next Tuesday for another look and hopefully baby plays ball. Apparently very rare heart problem. Thank you for asking how I got on today.

OP posts:

laurenGame · 15/06/2022 05:09

Bless you, that's hard esp with your past pregnancies OP. did they say what the outcomes etc., will he need surgery or just watch the condition? Sending you lots of strength

Original poster

gemaW · 15/06/2022 10:01

There is options for surgery but we don't know the full picture of the heart defects. His heart can't be repaired they can't build chambers but they can do a number of operations and bypass the chambers, there's a 60% chance of survival as it stands. 60% is better than no chance of survival. His made it this far.

OP posts:

wandawaves · 15/06/2022 10:42

gemaW · 14/06/2022 22:57

My friend's baby had a very similar heart defect. She had a few surgeries as a baby and has defied the odds and is a happy healthy 20 year old.
Good luck to you and your bub OP.

Blue4YOU · 15/06/2022 10:52

OP I couldn’t read and run.
I lost a baby at full term due to placental abruption, then had miscarriages and failed ivf. Just when I’d given up at age 42 I was pregnant- anomalies discovered at 20 week scan.
In my case it wasn’t heart related but something described as neurogenic Arthrogryposis.
Im sorry to hear you are going through this.
Handhold from me and I’m thinking of you.
PM me if you ever need to talk

Aspidistra1 · 17/06/2022 07:43

Just wanted to send lots of wishes to you. We also had a diagnosis of cardiac abnormality at the 20 week scan, much wanted IVF pregnancy, already have an older child with a significant health problem. Totally earth shattering.

There’s a charity called Little Hearts Matter which is specifically for those with single ventricle conditions. They’ve got lots of stories you can look at and also a helpline if you want to talk to someone about what life might be like.

ARC are also available on the phone to talk about antenatal results and choices, they were really lovely and non judgemental.

The wait for those first appointments with cardiology and foetal medicine was so awful. We decided to have an amniocentesis and the wait for the results was also agony.

We have a different diagnosis but after much agonising decided to proceed and am now 29 weeks.

Mizzy19 · 26/06/2022 19:57

My prayers and well wishes to you all going through something similar.
I'm in a similar situation where my 21 week anomaly scan picked up an extra vessel at the heart, so 4 and not the usual 3.
Went to get it checked by paediatric cardiologists, who said that's correct and also possible aortic arch hypoplasia, narrowing of the arch basically. They have their suspicions. Said it was possible linked to genetics. Initially screening was low risk.
I've been offered amnio which I had done. Just awaiting results now.
It's stressful, heartbreaking and just praying for a miracle now.
So am praying for anyone in similar situation as you. xxx🙏🙏

HSKAT · 26/06/2022 20:14

So sorry your going through this.
I have a friend who went through a similar, although ignorantly on my behalf I can't remember the exact diagnosis, there were several.
Sending you lots of love.

Original poster

gemaW · 29/06/2022 11:06

We still refused amniocentesis but we did do a nipt test that has came back highly unlikely. It's completely earth shattering. I went for my usual preterm labor check up on Monday to find that my cervix is shortening ive opted for progesterone for a week if on Monday it's shorter I will have a stitch put in. Feeling like the odds are stacked against us at the moment. I do hope both of your pregnancies run as smoothly as possible. I have been in contact with little hearts matter but again I'm finding all the information just so overwhelming.

OP posts:

Mizzy19 · 29/06/2022 13:20

Tell me about it. You go into the 20 week check for gender of baby, all excited and then this happens, you never expect it. It's earth shattering.

I've had my amnio results for the main 3 trisomies and there's no evidence. So now they are checking the other microarray, which I was told about 2 weeks. Hoping all comes back normal. Praying. They actually haven't called to tell me but I randomly decided to log onto the online portal to check my hospital records and it said there. So was relieved.
A bit annoyed at the hospital that they got the results on Monday but not bothered to call me to tell me.

@gemaW ,I'm praying for you and hope all works in your favour.
All we can do is be hopeful and pray to God.

Thanks everyone for the well wishes. Praying for a miracle and hoping this little one can prove them wrong at the hospital.

Well wishes to all those in similar positions. 🙏🙏xx

FleasAndKeef · 29/06/2022 13:25

Sending you lots of love and strength OP, what an incredibly difficult and worrying time for you.

There is a website/charity called "tiny tickers" where you might find some additional help and support xx

Blue4YOU · 30/06/2022 11:47

@Mizzy19 - I think that’s almost the way social media has turned things. The 20 week scan isn’t to see the sex of the baby… it’s when checks for serious abnormalities are feasible - before that only the 12 week scan is to check for DS.
It worries me people don’t realise that and there’s so little conversation around anomalies and stillbirth etc . Of course nothing prepares you for the shock of discovering a problem (I’ve been through this) but I wonder if there should be a drive to emphasise the reality of what the scans are for (detection of anomalies).
I hope you’ve had good news OP

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