echogenic focus level 2 ultrasound

Hi girls,
Yesterday we had our level 2 ultrasound. So far I have decline the amnio even though they tell me the risk of Down Syndrome is 1 in 27 based on the first trimester screening bloodwork (nuchal translucencies on both babies were normal). So yesterday we found out we are having a boy and a girl. On the boy's heart was an echogenic focus which is considered a soft marker for Down Syndrome. Everything else looked fine and the girl looked fine. Peri now says the risk of DS is more like 1 in 15. DH is against doing an amnio since we have had 2 miscarriages and had to do IVF to get this pregnancy. I am just so worried and depressed and can't imagine how I will get through the next five months wondering if something is wrong. Has anyone else gone through this? Thank you in advance for your input.

Kristin

 

Kristin. I do not have any experience with this but I wanted to give you a big :hug: and tell you my prayers are coming your way.

I know this is hard but try to relax. If you do not do the amino maybe start researching Down Syndrome, finding specialists in your area, and learning what you can just to be prepared if that turns out to be the case.

Take care!

 

:Clap: Congrats on a boy and a girl!!


As for the soft marker, my cousin was pregnant 3 years ago, and her DS had 3 soft markes for Downs Syndrome and her numbers showed a good chance too (don't remember what they were). Her OB told her to prepare herself for a DS child. He was born and was perfect, did not have any indication of DS at all.

 

QUOTE(MommaJ @ May 22 2009, 01:29 PM) [snapback]1324491[/snapback]
I know this is hard but try to relax. If you do not do the amino maybe start researching Down Syndrome, finding specialists in your area, and learning what you can just to be prepared if that turns out to be the case.


Great advice. I'm sorry you are worried Kristin. :hug:

 

QUOTE(MommaJ @ May 22 2009, 01:29 PM) [snapback]1324491[/snapback]
I know this is hard but try to relax. If you do not do the amino maybe start researching Down Syndrome, finding specialists in your area, and learning what you can just to be prepared if that turns out to be the case.

Take care!



I agree. That's good advice. You may calm down if you prepare yourself. Hopefully everything will be fine but I think you will feel better if you learn more about downs syndrome and read about other families who have children with it. I have worked with children with downs and I truly believe God puts them here for a reason. Chances are better that your child will not have ds.

 

Me! With my first child, we had not one, but 3 echogenic foci found in her heart at the anatomical scan. Her NT measurements were fine, also. We were pressured to do an amnio, but our child was conceived after YEARS of infertility and a frozen embryo transfer, so we were not willing to take that 1-2% chance of losing her.

She is now a perfect 22 month old with NO signs of Down's or any other disability.

Sometimes I think u/s can giv us too much information, especially with things that "could be" a soft marker.

Please PM me if you would like to talk! Hang in there, and lots of belly rubs...

 

Congratulations on your boy and girl!!! :Clap:

:hug:'s Momma. My two both had three soft markers for downs syndrome, so I know the worry you are going through and I'm sorry you have to go through it. They had cysts on their brains, echogenic bowels and my son had echogenic kidneys (I believe). It was hard hearing it but you have to keep as calm as possible. Try not to google to many things, I know that was the worst for me. Talk to your doctors and let them tell you what to expect, reading things on the internet sometimes does more harm then good. My two are perfectly fine now. :good: You're in my thoughts.

:grouphug:

 

I know lots of people who have had soft markers and had to decide what tests to do. The best advice I heard is to only have invasive tests if you are going to ACT on the results. Would you choose a course of action if the results were positive?

If you would be having the test just to "know" for sure in advance, then although it's hard, the best decision would be to wait - the answers will come in time.

Good luck, try not to worry, soft markers are not definite diagnoses.