14 week scan showing dilated bowel loops, anyone had a positive outcome?

[Puddien94]

Hi everyone, I’m currently 14 weeks pregnant and going through an incredibly scary time. Our latest scan showed "multiple dilated bowel loops," which our doctors say is highly unusual this early.
We are terrified. The genetics doctor told us there is a 50%+ chance it’s a genetic syndrome (she mentioned MMIHS or Mitchell-Riley), but she also noted a 40% chance it could be a non-genetic obstruction/twist that could be surgically fixed.
The "Good" Markers:
• Our blood tests for Down Syndrome (T21, T18, T13) are all Low Risk.
• The bladder is unaffected/normal (which I’ve heard is rare for some of these syndromes).
• The baby is growing normally and all other anatomy looks perfect.
• Infection markers (TORCH) all came back negative.
We are going for an amniocentesis/fluid test tomorrow and have a 2-3 week wait for results. I am struggling with the "coldness" of the doctors who seem focused only on the worst-case genetic odds.
Has anyone else had a scan this early showing multiple dilated loops where the baby turned out okay? Either it resolved on its own, or it was a surgical fix (like an atresia) rather than a genetic syndrome? I just need some hope to hold onto while we wait for these tests.
Thank you so much.

I'm sorry you are going through this OP. I don't have experience of this exact condition, no. I'd paid for the NIPT at 11 weeks and found out my baby had patau syndrome (Trisomy 13) and we chose TFMR.

Have they offered you NIPT/amnio or CVS? What did they say the next steps are? You might find info from ARC helpful too.
www.arc-uk.org/

Thank you for sharing that. I’m so sorry you went through that. 🩷 It’s so stressful. I’m having the amnio test done tomorrow as we just want answers but the fact it’ll be three weeks till we hear back is just painful. :( feeling so helpless.

I’m sorry to hear of your worry! Hopefully it can be surgically corrected. I’ve had a NIPT with my previous and current pregnancy with Concepto, and although expensive, for me it’s so worthwhile. Our results were back within 3 working days too. Good luck

I’m so sorry you are going through this. I know exactly how you feel as my daughter had bad news during her pregnancy, only it wasnt at the 12 weeks scan, it was the 20 week, If it’s isolated, with no other defects found, which in your case it seems to be then your baby stands a better chance of being healthy. Unfortunately it’s a waiting game which is truly unbearable. Good luck and I hope everything works out for you.

Thank you.
Hoping your daughters baby is healthy and all ok!
it’s agonising and I’m just praying for a miracle, I just think we’d be incredibly unlucky to have the rare diseases :(

Hey, I’m now 30 weeks with our first little boy but last baby and they found this anomaly on our 20 week scan but weren’t sure, we didn’t have it confirmed until 23 weeks, they did offer termination as an option but I couldn’t bring myself to take that option as everything else to do with him developmentally is perfect and they couldn’t give us any factual information. The unknown/wait is killing me, I can’t wait to have him and figure this out and deal with the situation but at the same time I don’t want to have him as I'm petrified it will be bad news. So I just wanted you to know you are not on your own! I hope everything works out for you and little one, please let me know how you get on. 🥰

Hi what was the outcome with your daughter in the end? Having the same situation currently and petrified of the outcome. Xx

@Puddien94 did your amnio results come back yet?

Nope not yet. The rapid ones for the main three did, (pataus, Edwards and downs) and it said no abnormalities but waiting on CF and the rest

Oh I'm sorry you've still got this wait.

Hey so the main three came back as no abnormality detected but we’re still waiting on cystic fibrosis and the other genetic results. It’s the worst wait ever! Hang in there, when do you hear back? X

We had the all clear for cystic fibrosis and a nipt said no risk for chromosomal abnormalities but we didn’t see the fetal medicine specialists until we were 23 weeks so didn’t get results until over 24 weeks, they offered amniocentesis but it’s higher risk after 21 weeks and I’m already high risk for pre term labour so we didn’t go for the amnio. They also said once over 24 weeks we would have to apply for permission to terminate and it would be highly unlikely we would be allowed to so didn’t seem worth the risk to do it as no matter the results we would have to continue anyway. (Not that I wanted to terminate but if results showed our boy could have a really troubled life we may have) so we are just riding it out now and waiting for him to get here. Fetal medicine have been great though, We’ve met the surgeon and viewed the neonatal unit and he is stable, no sign the blockage has got any worse and everything else is perfect. I hope you get the results soon to put your mind at rest. Xx

Sadly our baby boy died in utero at 23 weeks. He had a host of defects, heart brain, gi tract and more. Amneo confirmed trisomy 21. Wishing you all the best for a happy outcome.

Sadly, our baby boy did not get any better, infact worse where his bowels were starting to affect his other organs. The fetal medical team told us he’d not be compatible with life. We made the tough decision to TFMR at 18 weeks. 💔 we’re broken but we know it was for the best.

I’m so sorry op. That’s heartbreaking. 💔

Oh no @Puddien94 I'm extremely sorry to see your sad update.

@Puddien94 im so sorry to hear this. Its heartbreaking x

I'm so sorry to read your update OP. As I said upthread, I too had a TFMR. If you have any questions or want to private message me- feel free.

Remember that this isn't your fault and you aren't alone