Ria_Rose

Oh dear, where to start?

We had our 20 week scan last week, and because LO was on his back they couldn’t see his spine properly so we were asked to come back. They found some calcification in the heart but were told this was very common and would probably sort its self out.

This time he behaved and showed us his back, he was even was having a little fight with himself. I had to lay on my side to get his head circumference. She took photos – but they aren’t too great (will try to post later). She pointed out his kidneys and said they were measuring a bit big so she would have to note it – but that the midwife would discuss this with us. But we were just happy when we left the scan, as we’d gotten to see LO again.

However when we got to the MW – I think we were meant to get a student MW, but there was another more experienced MW there to talk to us. She explained that the calcification in the heart and the liquid in the kidneys were possibly just little things that would sort themselves out before the baby was born – but that they could be ‘Soft indicators’ … We asked indicators of what she said Downs Syndrome!!!

Well that was it my heart just went, it was so huge, it was hard to think what we should ask, what this meant. I bearly heard anything she said after that.

I’d had really low scores of Downs Risk in my serum blood tests and because I’m only 27 we hadn’t even consider it as a possibility.We have a friend with a Downs baby, and he is wonderful, and having met him it doesn’t seem like the end of the world – however they didn’t have any indicators, so when they told us we had 2 markers we both panicked.

She said we could speak to a Consultant tomorrow (which is now today). But at the time we couldn’t see the point as he/she couldn’t do anymore tests or give us any more definite answers. She said they would scan again at 32 weeks to check the kidneys etc and we would have a consultant there with us. 11 weeks of not knowing seemed unthinkable.

I just wanted to get out of the office so I could get outside. I put on a brave face, and as soon as I stepped outside I was sobbing so hard. I could barely look at my OH – I didn’t want him to see my crying. But he just held me, and slowly we made our way back to the car.

As soon as we were in the car I realised I did need to talk to someone, we suddenly had a lot of questions, and we rang our MW back and booked an appointment with the consultant.

We had planned on going to the cinema and out for a meal, but ended up staying in and comfort eating. Had a good cry when we first got home and then my OH decided to distract me with pizza, sweets and a DVD. My Dad (who lives an hour away) even drove over to surprise me and see if I was OK. We thought of a lot more questions we should have asked and I wrote them down so we could ask the consultant.

We realised the only way to know for sure was an amniosistis, but that carries a risk of miscarriage. And would knowing make any difference to us keeping the baby – we decided it wouldn’t. I know it will be a struggle if he does have Downs, but we're far too attched to the little guy, and I can feel him move now and the idea of not having him is unbearable.

I barely slept last night. Luckily it was a morning appointment. The consultant was a lady and was much more reassuring than the MW had been. I asked how many markers there are – because obviously if there were only 3, having 2 out of 3 is more worrying, whereas 2 in 20 is less so. She said simply that there were lots – bowel problems, hole in the heart etc and that we had none of these. She said lots of people have these small markers and most of the time they don’t mean anything, and that some babies are born with all of the markers and are perfectly normal, and others have no markers and turn out to have Downs. If she scanned us she said she'd probably find at least one - and obviously we're fine.

She pointed out that a woman of my age has a 1:1300 chance of having a Downs baby, and that my blood result have me the much better odds of 1:9000 and that this should be reassuring. She confirmed that an amniosistis would be the only way to know for sure, but as the risk of miscarriage is 1% or 1:100 – it would not be worth the risk.

At the 32 week scan they still won’t be able to tell us anything definitely, but they can check on the heart and kidneys again and see if they have developed properly. And also check on other potential markers. It’s only once LO is born that we’ll know for sure.

Took the day off work today, they were very understanding, I was feeling better about things after seeing the consultant, but wanted a little more time with my OH to take it all in.

We’re more hopeful now. There is a good chance that everything is fine, and fingers crossed the kidneys are just behind in development and will catch up by the 32 week scan. Or he just really needs the loo.

Anyway, sorry if that that was too much information for you, just wanted to share. Has anyone else experienced this or had any of these markers?

XKatX

I'm so sorry you're going though this. I don't know anything about it, so can't offer any advice. Big for you both though.

o0oCharlieo0o

so sorry you are going through this it must be really worrying for you, hugs to you both xxx

bluebell

So sorry you have to go through this!! It must be hard for you and OH to not worry but hopefully all will be fine with your LO

xx

missjacey44

Firstly im sorry to hear the bad news. But i know exactly how you feel.
At my 20week scan they found the same problem with the kidneys and he wouldnt empty his bladder after halfhour of scanning when it usually takes upto 20mins for most babies. I went back for a 2nd scan with a consultant to double check there was no other small problems and to check he had emptied his bladder.. although he had a full bladder again at the 2nd scan and they carried on the scan untill he did empty it. Then they explained about the small problems being 'soft indicators' of something more serious.. like downs sydrome. Im having another scan at 32weeks aslo but have been told in most cases the fluid on the kidneys has gone by then. but im still very very worried. I didnt have anymore tests for downs sydrome like you for the same reasons.

I had a 4D scan last weekend and was in there about 40mins and again.. i could see he had a full bladder so im still worried that he isnt emptying it like he should be. =(

Did anyone explain to you what would happen if the fluid on the kidneys hadnt gone at the 32wk scan.. because i never asked and wasnt told but i would like to know what happens next if it is still there. How will it affect baby even if baby is born without downs or anything else serious

Blob

I'm so sorry hun that is totally awful for you..i really hope that the MW can answer all your questions Good Luck!!

maybebaby

emma_27

Sorry to hear your going through this. My friend also had some markers found with her little girl on her scan. I think it was the kidneys and something else as well. She did have an amnio cus she said she didnt want to go thru the whole of the pregnancy not knowing if there was any problems she'd need to prepare for. They found no problems at all. Shes had a healthy baby girl who is now 16mths so hopefully everything will be fine with your little man.

Ria_Rose

Thanks guys.

Well it's nice to know it's not just us, she said it was common but I've not heard of it before.

They didn't give us time to let the kidneys empty, he had quite a full stomach too, but even on his 13 week scan he had a full bladder. Maybe he's just greedy, drinking too much amnio fluid.

She told me that if at 32 weeks the kidneys are still not emptying or doing whatever it is they should be by then, that a pediotrcian would check the baby over when he was born and they would do an ultrasound on his kidneys when he was six weeks old and keep an eye on his urine production. Although I did say that I'd probably notice if he wasn't weeing (he'd be one bloated baby).

I checked my pregnancy book and if there is a blockage in the urinary tract they can do a little oppperation to remove the blockage.

Basically they said this was a very common problem (the kidneys) particularly with boys as the urine has further to go. Hope this helps.

cuddles314

So sorry that you're going through this worry. Try and stay positive hun. Got everything crossed for you that bubs will be fine.
xx