Not good news

[missmc]

I had my u/s and it's a girl. I don't have much fluid, about 6 AFI. The sonographer couldn't get good pics of the heart, which is the area of concern. There is a lot of fluid around the heart. My OB said it could just be an issue with the heart, downs or some other chromosomal abnormality.

I'm waiting at the hospital to see if I can get in with a specialist today. My OB sent the u/s report to the specialist for review.

Praying it's all going to be ok. My OB's prognosis isn't very positive but said he can't say for sure until more testing is done.

ETA: update in post #13

[HisWifeHerMom]

Praying more testing shows everything is okay or will be, Congrats on your princess

[ClarisseMarie]

and more

I am so sorry to hear this, and I know it is terrifying waiting on more information. I'm praying for good news from the specialist, and hoping they can get you in today. Please kup.

[fourgulls]

Huge hugs! I am so sorry you are going through this and am saying prayers for your sweet little girl now.

[missmc]

Thank you ladies. I have another u/s at 2:00 with a specialist.

[ClarisseMarie]

I'm so glad you got in today. Waiting is such torture. Sending prayers your way as you go to your appointment. I'll be stalking for an update and hoping with all my might the news is good.

[moosh34]

I'm so glad you don't have to wait. I know how hard that is. I had to wait over a weekend. I hope that the prognosis is better than it seems at this point. If you are facing some tough decisions after meeting with the specialist, let me know if you'd like links to some websites that may be helpful. Hopefully the specialist can provide you with some, but if not, let me know. Again, x1000.

[Babidol]

Oh Missy, I am praying and thinking about you and your little girl today. I'm glad you were able to get in today and hopefully get some answers.

[ozzy]

I am so sorry! I hope you get good news this afternoon. Thinking of you and KUP.

[LSVNurse]

Missy - so sorry to hear that not all was what you expected. I'll be waiting to hear what the specialist says. Thinking many hopeful thoughts for you.

[fourgulls]

Sending you kind thoughts and praying!!

[kellyowens]

(((HUGS)))...thinking of you and praying !

[missmc]

Thank you all for the kind thoughts and prayers. I had to consume so much information today. My appt with the specialist was not as bleak and I left there with hope. I tried to type up what happened to the best of my ability. Sorry if this seems jumbled. I was just trying to get it all down!

My appt at the specialist took almost 2.5 hours. The sonographer was having a hard time getting all of the shots of the heart that she needed. At this appt, my AFI measured 10.xx, which is the low side of normal. The specialist was not concerned about my AFI at all. Baby girl is measuring on target for everything and the heart looks great. The dr said that the fluid in the chest is a significant finding and was close to the heart but wasn’t centralized at the heart. He said it could be a lung issue but it’s hard to tell at this point and of course, ultrasound wouldn’t be able to tell us that. This finding is not usually a characteristic of congenital defects, although he can’t rule it out unless I have an amnio. I was offered the amnio today but I declined. I’m going to be monitored on a weekly basis until we can tell what the fluid in the chest is doing…staying the same or getting worse. If there is no change, they will spread out the ultrasounds, but if it gets worse, the weekly monitoring will continue. I may opt to get the amnio at a later date as it likely can tell us more about what is going on and rule out or confirm congenital defect, but I just wasn't prepared to have it done today. The fluid is moderate on the right side and low on the left side. The words Pleural Effusion were thrown out, although it’s unsure at this point. It’s going to be a waiting game.

The good news: AFI is still in normal range, although on the low side, baby is measuring on track, unlikely there is a chromosomal problem. I consulted Dr. Google on Pleural Effusion and this could have a good outcome.

The bad news: Fluid in the chest.

I am scared to have the amnio done, which is why I just couldn't do it today. And of course it's scary to hear "could cause miscarriage." I'm going to wait and see how the next two weeks go and then make the decision to have amnio or not. He said that since I'm not going to terminate, timing isn't an issue and I can take my time in deciding.

My next appointment is next Tuesday, 9/18, which is also my birthday. So, here’s to hoping that I get good news.



ETA: I forgot to add that I also have partial previa, although they are sure it will resolve itself before delivery. It's also anterior so I won't be as likely to feel baby kicks until later in the pregnancy.

[raspberry]

Sending you good thoughts that everything will be fine with your baby girl.

[LSVNurse]

Whew. That sounds like a lot to digest - and I'm so glad you're leaving on a more positive note. Are there things you can do to try to up your amniotic fluid? I'm sure there's probably some options out there. I'm glad the heart is good too. And now you can get excited that it's a girl Love little girls Keep us posted and I hope things stablize!

[ClarisseMarie]

What a lot of information to take in...you must be mentally and emotionally exhausted! I'm glad you were able to leave the specialist feeling more positive and I'm glad they are going to keep an eye on you. The fact that baby is measuring on track is wonderful. I hope the fluid buildup will resolve itself and things look better next week. I'll be keeping your sweet girl in my prayers!

[Babidol]

Im so happy to hear you left with more positive news than the OB's office. Sometimes I wish the OB's would just send us to the MFM doc without trying to answer some of these questions. My doc had no clue with Piper when we saw the calcium deposits on her heart. She told me it was muscle tissue that was thickening. I think they see normal healthy pregnancies a lot and are totally confused when something isn't right. Same with u/s techs. They are good at normal but anything beyond that is a draw. Thank goodness for wonderful and knowledgeable specialists. Praying next weeks news is even better!

[Marquette Fan]

Thinking of you and your baby girl -

[ChelsBabyNum2]

Sounds like you got some good news at least. I'll be praying for you and your little girl! I really hope that you have a great appointment in two weeks.! KUP!

[Ksears]

Oh Missy, I am praying for you...I just got home after spending 7 hours in the ER for concerns with this one, bUt I am hopeful for you that your beautiful little princess will be completely healthy and all turns out ok!! You are definitely in my thoughts and prayers tonight.

[Adhafera]

Lots of thoughts and prayers!

[fourgulls]

Missy, I am so happy to hear that baby girl is measuring on track and also hoping the fluid levels are able to be brought up. I will keep you both in my prayers.

[ozzy]

Congrats on a baby girl. Lots of thoughts your way and I hope the next few weeks bring good news!

[kellyowens]

What a whirlwind of a day for you (((HUGS)))!!! I'm glad you're feeling more encouraged! Praying later u/s will bring better and better news. Thinking of you!

[missmc]

Thank you all so much. It means a lot to have so many people praying for her.

I've been trying not to let my emotions get to me too much. I had a hard time sleeping last night...I went to bed late and I've been up since 3:30 am. I just haven't been able to shut off my brain!

I did some more of my own research last night. Normally I don't like to do these things for fear of what I might run across on the internet, but I just hate being uninformed. And it helped spark some memory of what the specialist told me. I ran into quite a few positive outcomes with others that have the same experience.

[moosh34]

Thank you all so much. It means a lot to have so many people praying for her.

I've been trying not to let my emotions get to me too much. I had a hard time sleeping last night...I went to bed late and I've been up since 3:30 am. I just haven't been able to shut off my brain!

I did some more of my own research last night. Normally I don't like to do these things for fear of what I might run across on the internet, but I just hate being uninformed. And it helped spark some memory of what the specialist told me. I ran into quite a few positive outcomes with others that have the same experience.

So many . It's hard feel uninformed and not do internet research. I couldn't help it either, but I was cautious. I think that it is helpful to read stories about others who have experienced the same or similar circumstances. I really found a lot of comfort in that. Most women who post their stories are inspirational because of their strength whether their outcome was good or poor.

Remember, if you are really suffering for sleep, your doctor can prescribe you a sleep med that is safe for pregnancy. I took some flexeril for migraines and to help me sleep for the first week or so after finding out our diagnosis.

[sunkiss]

Praying that everything turns out to be fine!

[missmc]

So many . It's hard feel uninformed and not do internet research. I couldn't help it either, but I was cautious. I think that it is helpful to read stories about others who have experienced the same or similar circumstances. I really found a lot of comfort in that. Most women who post their stories are inspirational because of their strength whether their outcome was good or poor.

Remember, if you are really suffering for sleep, your doctor can prescribe you a sleep med that is safe for pregnancy. I took some flexeril for migraines and to help me sleep for the first week or so after finding out our diagnosis.

That's good to know they can prescribe something for sleep. Lots of to you too!

[ClarisseMarie]

After we had our 20 week scan with Madelyn, all I did was research. It made me feel like I was doing something. So I get that - I think being informed is good, and helps you to know which questions to ask. When you get some kind of news like that, it is so overwhelming, and it helped me a lot to find others going through the same thing, or people who had btdt.

I'm glad you are seeing positive stories out there. I'm praying that yours will be just that!

[missmc]

Was it immediately suggested that you have an amnio? I'm sure you did at one point, right? If so, when did you end up having it done?