Murky ultrasound results, wife is a basket case (1 Viewer)

[Nigel]

I went with my wife to her ultrasound two weeks ago - she was about 22 weeks pregnant at the time. For those that have been to one, you know the drill. First the ultrasound technician comes in and does a bunch of measurements and takes pictures, then the doctor comes in and takes a look for himself, confirms what the technician came up with, etc. It is a very cool and moving experience as a mom and dad to be to see the little person flipping around, sucking its toes, waving its hands, etc. Anyway, the technician did her thing and left, leaving us alone while waiting for the doctor to come in - and my wife says "the baby's heart didn't look symetrical to me." I was like , "Did you sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night or something? I'm sure everything is fine." Then the doctor came in and for 15 minutes straight took picture after picture and measurement after measurement of the baby's heart. Clearly the first lady had told him to take a look. My wife was shooting me "I told you so" glances, and I was freaking out on the inside but trying to stay cool.

Anyway, the doctor finished up and then talked to us - "Most everything looks great: the brain is perfectly developed, all the skeletal measurements are proportionate and healthy looking, kidneys look good. The only concern I have is that I can't definitively tell if the heart is developing normally. The good news is that by this point in the pregnancy a serious defect should be more apparent. On the other hand, some of the measurements are coming back as abnormal and I'm having a hard time getting a conclusive look. I'm 90% sure that everything is fine, but I need you to come back in 4 weeks and depending how that goes, set up an appointment with a fetal cardiologist."

Four weeks is a LONG time to have something like this hanging over you. My wife is a worrier, always assumes the worst, and has been an emotional wreck since we left that office. I'm trying to keep her thinking positively, focussing on the 90% chance that everything is fine. I sincerely believe all will be alright when we go next time, but if it isn't then we'll deal with it. There's no use worrying. She keeps saying "if I could tell there was something wrong thsn it MUST be bad" - talking about mother's intuition and all that jazz. I don't know what I can say to make her feel better and I don't know how the hell she is going to make it another two weeks before we get this sorted out - and all this stress can't be good for the baby.

This can't be that uncommon - anyone been through anything like this have advice on how to help the wife cope with the uncertainty?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

All I can tell you is that we had a similar situation.

Our son developed what's called "duodenal atresia" wherin the pancreas formed around his intestine.

The doctor's said that this is sometimes a sign that the baby may have Downs Syndrome.

All we did was talk about our expectations of a healthy, happy, "normal"* baby (which he most certainly is). Not much else we could do.

*If you're a parent of a Down's child, that's not meant to be mean. I apologize in advance.

 

[GroveDiesel]

I was going to post something smart alecky but decided not to. Good luck. Just tell her that if the doctor thought it was something really serious the doctor wouldn't wait 4 weeks for a followup.

 

[Franknbeans]

I was going to post something smart alecky but decided not to. Good luck. Just tell her that if the doctor thought it was something really serious the doctor wouldn't wait 4 weeks for a followup.

I agree. Ultrasounds can be quite misleading but the doctors shouldn't keep you guys waiting. Hope it all turns out for the best.

 

[Liopleurodon]

I went with my wife to her ultrasound two weeks ago - she was about 22 weeks pregnant at the time. For those that have been to one, you know the drill. First the ultrasound technician comes in and does a bunch of measurements and takes pictures, then the doctor comes in and takes a look for himself, confirms what the technician came up with, etc. It is a very cool and moving experience as a mom and dad to be to see the little person flipping around, sucking its toes, waving its hands, etc. Anyway, the technician did her thing and left, leaving us alone while waiting for the doctor to come in - and my wife says "the baby's heart didn't look symetrical to me." I was like , "Did you sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night or something? I'm sure everything is fine." Then the doctor came in and for 15 minutes straight took picture after picture and measurement after measurement of the baby's heart. Clearly the first lady had told him to take a look. My wife was shooting me "I told you so" glances, and I was freaking out on the inside but trying to stay cool.

Anyway, the doctor finished up and then talked to us - "Most everything looks great: the brain is perfectly developed, all the skeletal measurements are proportionate and healthy looking, kidneys look good. The only concern I have is that I can't definitively tell if the heart is developing normally. The good news is that by this point in the pregnancy a serious defect should be more apparent. On the other hand, some of the measurements are coming back as abnormal and I'm having a hard time getting a conclusive look. I'm 90% sure that everything is fine, but I need you to come back in 4 weeks and depending how that goes, set up an appointment with a fetal cardiologist."

Four weeks is a LONG time to have something like this hanging over you. My wife is a worrier, always assumes the worst, and has been an emotional wreck since we left that office. I'm trying to keep her thinking positively, focussing on the 90% chance that everything is fine. I sincerely believe all will be alright when we go next time, but if it isn't then we'll deal with it. There's no use worrying. She keeps saying "if I could tell there was something wrong thsn it MUST be bad" - talking about mother's intuition and all that jazz. I don't know what I can say to make her feel better and I don't know how the hell she is going to make it another two weeks before we get this sorted out - and all this stress can't be good for the baby.

This can't be that uncommon - anyone been through anything like this have advice on how to help the wife cope with the uncertainty?

When my wife was pregnant the first time, we had a much murkier ultrasound than that. It was 5 years ago, so I can't remember much about it. She had some stomach pains that she was so worried about we took her to the emergency room and did an ultrasound. The doctors couldn't tell much at all. I mean, we couldn't see if anything was developing. The baby looked like a big tube. Of course, it was earlier in the pregnancy. Anyway, our son came out just fine. In fact, they have a scale that they use to measure the health of newborns. Can't remember what it is called. But the nurse gave my son her first ever 10 out of 10. So murky ultrasounds don't necessarily mean anything. Tell your wife that.

 

[Davej626]

Hey Nigel, if she is that concerned about it, find a second doctor, or hospital to get a second opinion. On the good side, they might not see any problems. On the other side, you would know and have two week headstart to solve any issues.

 

[Nigel]

I was going to post something smart alecky but decided not to.  Good luck.  Just tell her that if the doctor thought it was something really serious the doctor wouldn't wait 4 weeks for a followup.

I agree. Ultrasounds can be quite misleading but the doctors shouldn't keep you guys waiting. Hope it all turns out for the best.

Thanks. I assume the wait time is to give the heart more time to develop, making it easier to read one way or the other, and not just to torture us.

 

[(HULK)]

Hmmm.

Thats a tough situation and I'm sorry to hear it.

Normally, I would say to tell her comforting things, but the reality of the situation is that it may not turn out well, no matter how much all of us hope it does.

The best thing you can probably do for her is to do a bang up job being there to listen and to give her a shoulder to cry on.

 

[culdeus]

Hey Nigel, if she is that concerned about it, find a second doctor, or hospital to get a second opinion. On the good side, they might not see any problems. On the other side, you would know and have two week headstart to solve any issues.

Just go to another clinic and ask for a second ultrasound appointment. Happens all the time that the results are odd.

 

[culdeus]

Anyway, our son came out just fine. In fact, they have a scale that they use to measure the health of newborns. Can't remember what it is called. But the nurse gave my son her first ever 10 out of 10. So murky ultrasounds don't necessarily mean anything. Tell your wife that.

It's APGAR and I'm not a doctor, nor did I sleep in a holiday inn express last night. I did get out of childbirth classes recently :graduate:. That score is basically sort of a gague as to whether they will push you to take the baby away for addl. tests right away or not. hth

 

[trout]

remind her that doctors using ultrasounds have been known to misinterpret something as obvious as the sex of the baby. There is quite a large fudge factor and that ultrasounds are not always easily read.

 

[Please See Mine]

Anyway, our son came out just fine. In fact, they have a scale that they use to measure the health of newborns. Can't remember what it is called. But the nurse gave my son her first ever 10 out of 10.  So murky ultrasounds don't necessarily mean anything. Tell your wife that.

APGAR score is what you're talking about I think.And FWIW, a friend of mine had an ultrasound and they said that her baby might have a hole in its heart. In the end, it turned out to be nothing and the kid is perfectly fine.

ETA: Damn Culdeus.

 

[Nigel]

Hey Nigel, if she is that concerned about it, find a second doctor, or hospital to get a second opinion. On the good side, they might not see any problems. On the other side, you would know and have two week headstart to solve any issues.

Just go to another clinic and ask for a second ultrasound appointment. Happens all the time that the results are odd.

Can you just pop into another office and ask for an ultrasound and expect it to covered by insurance? I assume they only cover a certain number of them per pregnancy unless deemed necessary by your doc. The practice we go to at Mass General in Boston has a great rep and we have complete confidence in them, so we'll wait it out and stick with them. If there is a problem, there's no hospital where I'd rather the baby be taken care of.

 

[Tat]

Hey Nigel, if she is that concerned about it, find a second doctor, or hospital to get a second opinion. On the good side, they might not see any problems. On the other side, you would know and have two week headstart to solve any issues.

Just go to another clinic and ask for a second ultrasound appointment. Happens all the time that the results are odd.

Can you just pop into another office and ask for an ultrasound and expect it to covered by insurance? I assume they only cover a certain number of them per pregnancy unless deemed necessary by your doc. The practice we go to at Mass General in Boston has a great rep and we have complete confidence in them, so we'll wait it out and stick with them. If there is a problem, there's no hospital where I'd rather the baby be taken care of.

I think you get 3 ultrasounds covered under insurance.1 to confirm pregnancy.

2 normal 12-15 week unltrasound

3 to find out the sex of the child

 

[culdeus]

Hey Nigel, if she is that concerned about it, find a second doctor, or hospital to get a second opinion. On the good side, they might not see any problems. On the other side, you would know and have two week headstart to solve any issues.

Just go to another clinic and ask for a second ultrasound appointment. Happens all the time that the results are odd.

Can you just pop into another office and ask for an ultrasound and expect it to covered by insurance? I assume they only cover a certain number of them per pregnancy unless deemed necessary by your doc. The practice we go to at Mass General in Boston has a great rep and we have complete confidence in them, so we'll wait it out and stick with them. If there is a problem, there's no hospital where I'd rather the baby be taken care of.

I dunno. It probably like many things depends on a number of factors. I have no idea what an ultrasound appt. costs out of pocket if you got turned down. I know several people here and I'm assuming on my same insurance go get second opinions (sometimes on consecutive days) for ultrasounds. They can be quite alarming. Wish you bol.

 

[fightingchick]

OB's are the specialist that are sued the most for malpractice. They have the most economic incentive to tell you the WORST possible thing prior to the baby's birth. They think that it covers their hide in case there is a problem during childbirth.

They will almost always tell you something is "outside" the normal range, but it is probably alright.

If it were serious, they would be doing more tests now...

No matter who you go to, they will probably take the "conservative" approach - which means tell you the worst case.

 

[The_Man]

Sorry to hear the news.

Very good point about things not being too serious if he doesn't need to see you for four weeks.

But here's the point -- you're not a doctor. She's got one of those and doesn't need another. What she needs is a source of encouragement and support.

That doesn't mean just telling her "The baby will be fine," because then she will think you're not listening to her. You need to tell her that it's all right to be scared, that you're scared too, that there's nothing in the world you love more than her and your baby, etc., etc.

Also, ask her if she wants to call the doctor or have you call the doctor to discuss the situation further. The ensuing conversation (if she wants to have one) might help calm her fears, and just the fact that you make the suggestion shows her that you believe her feelings are valid and that you support her.

 

[tipsy mcstagger]

Anyway, our son came out just fine. In fact, they have a scale that they use to measure the health of newborns. Can't remember what it is called. But the nurse gave my son her first ever 10 out of 10. So murky ultrasounds don't necessarily mean anything. Tell your wife that.

It's APGAR and I'm not a doctor, nor did I sleep in a holiday inn express last night. I did get out of childbirth classes recently :graduate:. That score is basically sort of a gague as to whether they will push you to take the baby away for addl. tests right away or not. hth

10 apgar? You must be 1. a doctor yourself 2. married to a doctor 3. bribed the nurse.They only give 10's out for the above listed reasons.

I don't doubt your kid got that score, but something smells fishy.

 

[Crimson Hawk]

Good luck. Everything will work out.

We were told that our son might have Downs. My MIL and BIL actually tried to get my wife to abort based on the tests.

He came out just fine.

My BIL's wife was having twins and everything was fine until they were born and they both had holes in their hearts. The doctors had no idea.

You just never know for sure until they are here.

Also a second opinion never hurts.

 

[SofaKings.]

Hey Nigel, if she is that concerned about it, find a second doctor, or hospital to get a second opinion. On the good side, they might not see any problems. On the other side, you would know and have two week headstart to solve any issues.

Good post.All you can really do is be there for her. It's tough. We had to have an amnio on our first and I remember how freaked out my wife was. Good luck.

 

[NFL Sunday Ticket]

hi nigel. i would tell your wife to not worry. worrying is not going to help the situation at all. i am very similar to your wife in that regard. one of our twin girls had "soft markers" for trisomy 18. basically, a death sentence. we, of course, were devestated. they saw a choroid plexus cyst and an echogenic bowel. they said both things could be nothing, but since there was more than one indicator, they were somewhat concerned.

well, i logged many hours scouring the internet for any info i could find. in the end, other than being extremely premature, they were perfectly healthy. the fact is (and you can find articles from other drs) ultrasounds are just not accurate enough to try to determine some stuff. the fact that it took that much time and effort to come up with "im 90% sure its fine" tells me, they should not be worrying the parents yet.

 

[culdeus]

All this stuff is good info, but let me say telling a pg wife "the ultrasound can't be right" or "It's a load of bs" is a quick way to a cry-fest. File the info away and let it comfort you, but know she's a mess and this stuff is likely the last thing she wants to hear because hearing the test is wrong is acknowledging that the test is anomalous and is at least noteworthy.

Basically: Tread lightly and just echo her sentiments of worry and care for the unborn.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Good luck, Nigel. It would really suck to have to wait four weeks after getting news like that. Hopefully all will be well.

 

[Nigel]

hi nigel. i would tell your wife to not worry. worrying is not going to help the situation at all. i am very similar to your wife in that regard. one of our twin girls had "soft markers" for trisomy 18. basically, a death sentence. we, of course, were devestated. they saw a choroid plexus cyst and an echogenic cyst. they said both things could be nothing, but since there was more than one indicator, they were somewhat concerned.

well, i logged many hours scouring the internet for any info i could find. in the end, other than being extremely premature, they were perfectly healthy. the fact is (and you can find articles from other drs) ultrasounds are just not accurate enough to try to determine some stuff. the fact that it took that much time and effort to come up with "im 90% sure its fine" tells me, they should not be worrying the parents yet.

Thanks. I am the opposite of her, not a worrier at all - to a fault sometimes. I've also been telling her that of all the possible maladies there could be (genetic, skeletal, brain) that this one, if there actually is one, is likely a lot more treatable than most. Glad everything worked out for you.

 

[The Football Freak]

Doctors have studied bedside manner so they measure carefully what they tell you, so if he felt 90 percent he likely means it and everything is fine. They aren't trying to mollify you or make you feel better, they are just being honest in their appraisals. She is going to worry, there is nothing you can do to change that, so just know that the doctor was giving his opinion and let it play out as it will.

 

[AmpLee]

This might sound stupid, but Doctor's probably have to voice any concern no matter how remote it is for malpractice matters.... If there is a 1% chance that it looks like a problem, the doctor needs to voice it to cover himself....

Obviously you just wanna think positive. I'm sure all will be well.

 

[Elway Lives]

Hey Nigel, if she is that concerned about it, find a second doctor, or hospital to get a second opinion. On the good side, they might not see any problems. On the other side, you would know and have two week headstart to solve any issues.

Good post.All you can really do is be there for her. It's tough. We had to have an amnio on our first and I remember how freaked out my wife was. Good luck.

We also had to have an amnio on our second b/c several of the other tests didn't come back "normal". We didn't know the results of the amnio for maybe a week but it seemed like forever. Also turned out all was just fine.I'll echo what everyone else has said about the ultrasound appearing to be so, I dunno, inaccurate is maybe too strong of a word, but not always precise at least. I'm sure she'll worry, and in all reality, I would bet that until that same doc tells you guys that what he saw must have just been coincidental, there will always be some doubt about whether or not something is wrong.

Time will tell, and I'd bet that nothing you do in the next 4 weeks will change the situation regardless of what it really is anyway, so no point getting worked up about what you should or shouldn't be doing differently.

Both of you hang in there...there really DO seem to be so many more false alarms in these cases than actual problems, so hopefully the odds will continue to be in your favor that this will end up just being another "worry story" that turned out just fine.

 

[Dog]

In a standard 18 week fetal ultrasound, there is a checklist of structures that the tech/MD go through. The heart can sometimes be difficult depending on the position of the fetus. Typically, you want to see a normal 4-chamber view and make sure there is no big atrial or ventricular septal defect. You also want to see normal right and left ventricular outflow tracts. Occasionally, you just can't see them well, which doesn't mean it isn't normal. After 4 weeks of development, they probably will be able to see these structures better. It isn't uncommon to have to come back. However, if there is something abnormal, they can also evaluate it better and possibly refer you for a formal fetal echocardiogram (though it doesn't sound like there is a high level of concern from the Dr.).

 

[Boone22]

I'm not an expert by any means but I seam to recall the Technician telling us that there are now 2 or 3 levels of Ultrasound machines that give differing levels of detail. Any chance you could kind a doctor/clinic where they have a more advanced ultrasound and have someone take a look? If I recall correctly, I believe 3 ultrasounds are covered under insurance before you have to start paying out-of-pocket.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Good luck Nigel and I hope everything turns out alright. I understand your situation quite well, unfortunately.

 

[Davej626]

Hey Nigel, if she is that concerned about it, find a second doctor, or hospital to get a second opinion. On the good side, they might not see any problems. On the other side, you would know and have two week headstart to solve any issues.

Just go to another clinic and ask for a second ultrasound appointment. Happens all the time that the results are odd.

Can you just pop into another office and ask for an ultrasound and expect it to covered by insurance? I assume they only cover a certain number of them per pregnancy unless deemed necessary by your doc. The practice we go to at Mass General in Boston has a great rep and we have complete confidence in them, so we'll wait it out and stick with them. If there is a problem, there's no hospital where I'd rather the baby be taken care of.

Hey Nigel. If you question any advice a doctor gives you, most insurance plans will provide for a second opinion. Sometimes they even require it. I know MGH is good, but if you have any concerns, ask you primary for a referral to the Brigham, or St Elizabeths, or even Childrens. Explain to them what the problem is, and while you may have to explain to your insur company as well, they will go for it. Peice of mind is worth a ton. For you and them. Just my .02.

 

[Boone22]

I'm not an expert by any means but I seam to recall the Technician telling us that there are now 2 or 3 levels of Ultrasound machines that give differing levels of detail. Any chance you could kind a doctor/clinic where they have a more advanced ultrasound and have someone take a look? If I recall correctly, I believe 3 ultrasounds are covered under insurance before you have to start paying out-of-pocket.

I knew I wasn't crazy. This is what I found after a quick Google search...http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/ultrasound3.htm

 

[e-mom]

My story with my 2nd pregnancy was horrendous and extremely painful emotionally to go through with the terrible outcome of what we were told was going to happen. No need to go into the story but PLEASE don't get too hung up on the MGH as being the best hospital...they ALL make mistakes. We were at Brigham and Women's Hospital when it all started and I can't even recall the sheer amount of tests upon tests that had to be done. Had 5 1/2 months of emotional agony to deal with on top of all the specialists telling us to abort the pregnancy because it was going to be that bad. (Even setting up arrangements for late term abortion!!!) Going on a ton of hope, a million prayers and guidance from the last two tests (echo of the baby's heart and an MRI of baby's brain all while in utero) and in the end everything turned out completely normal with an extremely healthy baby. He's 5 1/2 now and is a brainiac with numbers.

Regardless of the outcome, your wife will never forget the deep emotions that she is going through right now.

I wish you the very best and try to stay positive. PM me if you have any questions.

 

[Prime]

Nigel, a ultrasound cost $150. You can even get 3-d ultrasounds now.

Good luck to you and your family.

 

[No. 16]

You guys keep suggetsing Ultrasounds like all you're doing is taking a picture of a baby.

Do you realize that even taking an Ultrasound can possibly affect the development of your baby? It's by no means as dangerous as taking fluid from the amniotic sac, but it can lead to birth defects when used frequently.

Like others have said console your wife that ulatrasounds are end all be all pictures. We can't even tell external characteristics, how acurate for internal charecteristics.

I wouldn't go seek a 2nd opinion right now b/c you don't want to expose your baby to ultrasound more than it needs to and the 4 weeks time is to allow the baby's heart to develop.

GB and take care.

 

[Da Guru]

About 2 months before my first daughters birth the doctor told us she was abnormally small for that stage.

So for 8 weeks were did not sleep out of fear and worry. My daughter was born 7lbs 14 oz. Things change.

Good Luck to you and your family.

 

[Serenity Now]

While doctors are supposed to 'study' bedside manner, I think many of them sleep in that day at school. A lot of them really suck at telling patients iffy news.

Nigel, if your wife is that freaked out about what she saw, heard (and I would be in her situation), I would suggest calling up that doc again and lay it on the line to him. 4 weeks is an eternity at a time like this. Ask for a redo, a level 2 ultrasound, etc. While it may turn out to be 'nothing', she needs the peace of mind and God forbid there is something to worry about, you need the time to adjust and make plans for the baby's care.

 

[Arsenal of Doom]

We had a similar situation. They couldn't get a good view of the heart during our 20 week ultrasound because of the position of the baby. We went back in 4 weeks and everything was fine.

I have to say this whole process is more nerve wrecking than I imagined. We're at 31 weeks now and I seriously wish I could fast forward through the next 9. I feel like I won't really relax until I'm holding a healthy baby in my arms.

 

[Nigel]

We went on Wednesday for another ultrasound, and again the doc told us that one of the chambers was measuring smaller than the other, but it wasn't glaringly defective. He got us an appointment for a fetal echocardiogram for yesterday afternoon.

First off, the equipment available today is unbelievable. They zoom in on the little critter's heart and you can see in great detail the tiny valves opening and closing in unison with every beat. This was a good thing btw - both valves were working properly. They do a doplar-like thing where incoming blood is blue on the screen and outgoing is red. They check to make sure there is no leakage between the chambers and that blood flow is equal. That also checked out fine. She confirmed that one chamber is in fact smaller than the other, and its unusal in that the one that is smaller is actually most often a bit bigger than the other at this stage. She didn't rule out that there could be an undetectable leak that wouldn't be picked up now, but there is no obvious, gross defect.

We'll go in for another one of these in 10 weeks just to make sure everything is cool as the heart becomes more fully developed. For now though, much relief in Nigel's house.

 

[tipsy mcstagger]

We went on Wednesday for another ultrasound, and again the doc told us that one of the chambers was measuring smaller than the other, but it wasn't glaringly defective. He got us an appointment for a fetal echocardiogram for yesterday afternoon.

First off, the equipment available today is unbelievable. They zoom in on the little critter's heart and you can see in great detail the tiny valves opening and closing in unison with every beat. This was a good thing btw - both valves were working properly. They do a doplar-like thing where incoming blood is blue on the screen and outgoing is red. They check to make sure there is no leakage between the chambers and that blood flow is equal. That also checked out fine. She confirmed that one chamber is in fact smaller than the other, and its unusal in that the one that is smaller is actually most often a bit bigger than the other at this stage. She didn't rule out that there could be an undetectable leak that wouldn't be picked up now, but there is no obvious, gross defect.

We'll go in for another one of these in 10 weeks just to make sure everything is cool as the heart becomes more fully developed. For now though, much relief in Nigel's house.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Good to hear that everything looks like it will be ok.

 

[SofaKings.]

You guys keep suggetsing Ultrasounds like all you're doing is taking a picture of a baby.

Do you realize that even taking an Ultrasound can possibly affect the development of your baby? It's by no means as dangerous as taking fluid from the amniotic sac, but it can lead to birth defects when used frequently.

Like others have said console your wife that ulatrasounds are end all be all pictures. We can't even tell external characteristics, how acurate for internal charecteristics.

I wouldn't go seek a 2nd opinion right now b/c you don't want to expose your baby to ultrasound more than it needs to and the 4 weeks time is to allow the baby's heart to develop.

GB and take care.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

We'll go in for another one of these in 10 weeks just to make sure everything is cool as the heart becomes more fully developed. For now though, much relief in Nigel's house.

Glad to hear that it's good news so far.

 

[SofaKings.]

Good to hear Nigel!

 

[JAA]

best wishes

 

[The_Man]

We'll go in for another one of these in 10 weeks just to make sure everything is cool as the heart becomes more fully developed. For now though, much relief in Nigel's house.

10 more weeks? By my math, you'll be at what -- 38 weeks by then? We had a late ultrasound on our kid and ended up with a black-and-white snapshot of his face. It was pretty cool to get a sneak preview two weeks before he was born.

Congratulations -- having that first kid is the most amazing and exciting thing ever.

 

[e-mom]

We went on Wednesday for another ultrasound, and again the doc told us that one of the chambers was measuring smaller than the other, but it wasn't glaringly defective. He got us an appointment for a fetal echocardiogram for yesterday afternoon.

First off, the equipment available today is unbelievable. They zoom in on the little critter's heart and you can see in great detail the tiny valves opening and closing in unison with every beat. This was a good thing btw - both valves were working properly. They do a doplar-like thing where incoming blood is blue on the screen and outgoing is red. They check to make sure there is no leakage between the chambers and that blood flow is equal. That also checked out fine. She confirmed that one chamber is in fact smaller than the other, and its unusal in that the one that is smaller is actually most often a bit bigger than the other at this stage. She didn't rule out that there could be an undetectable leak that wouldn't be picked up now, but there is no obvious, gross defect.

We'll go in for another one of these in 10 weeks just to make sure everything is cool as the heart becomes more fully developed. For now though, much relief in Nigel's house.

This is WONDERFUL news! I'm sure you both had a very big sigh of relief.

 

[Icedrinking]

Very Good News. I'll keep the little one in my prayers.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

I'm not a man given to prayer, but my thoughts are with you, your wife, and your baby.

 

[Nigel]

We'll go in for another one of these in 10 weeks just to make sure everything is cool as the heart becomes more fully developed. For now though, much relief in Nigel's house. 

10 more weeks? By my math, you'll be at what -- 38 weeks by then? We had a late ultrasound on our kid and ended up with a black-and-white snapshot of his face. It was pretty cool to get a sneak preview two weeks before he was born.

Congratulations -- having that first kid is the most amazing and exciting thing ever.

My math was wrong in the original post. She was 18 weeks on the first one, currently 22 - she'll be at 32 weeks next time.