Mild unilateral hydronephrosis combined with small outlet perimembranous VSD at 20 week scan

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I had my 20 week scan this morning (though I'm 23 weeks pregnant) and found out there are two abnormalities with the baby. The first is the mild hydronephrosis, which is confirmed, and the second is a suspected small outlet perimembranous VSD.

We've been referred to Fetal Cardiology at St Thomas' tomorrow, and if the heart issue is confirmed then the next step would be for me to have more invasive testing done.

They said it could be that these are both isolated issues, but it could also be that they are connected if there is some kind of underlying chromosomal abnormality, though I've no idea what this could be and the sonographer couldn't give us more information.

The sonographer said she would have been most concerned about Down's, except that I did already flag as medium risk for Down's and the other syndromes at 12 weeks and had the second test done (the Harmony test), which came back as negative (lower than 1 in 10,000 risk).

Does anyone have an experience similar to mine? I'm really struggling with the uncertainty and desperate for everything to be okay.

I’m so sorry this has happened to you. It’s so upsetting at what should be a happy time.

I had a similar experience. At my 20 week scan, the sonographer was concerned about the size of my baby’s aeorta. We were referred to John Radcliffe Hospital where scans suggested coarctation of the aeorta, a condition which would require corrective surgery in the days after birth. This condition is also a symptom of various genetic syndromes. I underwent an amniocentesis a week or so after, which was followed by test results gradually coming in all clear. We returned to the John Radcliffe every few weeks so they could closely monitor the baby. I had an induction at the hospital, baby was taken to NICU and put on a hormone to stop the aeorta closing, then subsequently moved to GOSH for surgery. They suspected a misdiagnosis, which was then confirmed. There was nothing wrong with my son’s heart after all. We were discharged 24 hours later.

I hope you’re doing ok x

I'm sorry you've got this worry and stress, it's absolutely horrible.
My son had Trisomy 13 and we got that confirmed after amnio at the fetal medicine appointment but if its any reassurance at all, what you're saying has been found sounds like two fairly minor issues and you have every reason to hope all is fine. A lot more minor issues are being picked up now due to the equipment being so much better.
Let us know how you get on and chat here as much as you need. I remember the stress going through the testing all too well and it's not nice.

Thanks so much for replying @Ariadne08 and @ANiceBigCupOfTea. I really appreciate you sharing your stories and I'm so sorry about your son @ANiceBigCupOfTea.

We had an excruciating hour-long cardio scan in silence, but the doctor and sonographer have concluded that they don't think there is an issue with his after all, which is a massive relief. I feel incredibly lucky.

Thanks so much for replying @Ariadne08 and @ANiceBigCupOfTea. I really appreciate you sharing your stories and I'm so sorry about your son @ANiceBigCupOfTea.

We had an excruciating hour-long cardio scan in silence, but the doctor and sonographer have concluded that they don't think there is an issue with his after all, which is a massive relief. I feel incredibly lucky.

That's fantastic news!! Really glad to hear it.