Had heart scan today

I went for my heart scan/ultrasound today on the twins (I'm 22 weeks) and they discovered that the girl twin has a VSD heart defect. Fortunately, I am all too familiar with this defect, as my DD7 had the same thing. In some ways, I know I can handle it and it is usually fixable or can be left alone (like my daughter's) and on the other hand, I keep thinking, why does this have to happen again?

As far as heart defects go, it is considered minor. However, it is still a problem, which I will worry too much about, and I now may have to deliver at a hospital that is 45 minutes away instead of 5 minutes away, and I have to be monitored more.

A few weeks ago, I was worried about size differences between the twins. Today I'm told that they are almost the same (6 percent difference) with the boy at 1 lb 3 oz and the girl at 1 lb 4 oz. I guess she's growing despite her defect, and she's pretty feisty. She's also too hard to get a good scan, but they still managed to see the heart today...

Any words of encouragement? Anyone else have a heart defect diagnosed in the womb?

 

I don't have any experience with this. But I know how much I worry about all my kids, and I'm sure this can't be easy! I'm sure I'd be a wreck about it. It's good that she's growing and seems to be thriving despite the defect, though. Hopefully it continues to be a very minor thing!

 

Kellie, I did not deal with this so I have no advice, I'm sorry. :hug: I just wanted to say I'm sorry you have to go through this again. I'm glad to hear that they caught up to each other in weight. I'll keep you all in my thoughts. :hug:

 

I am so sorry you are going through this again
:hug: I don't have any experience with this, but wanted to send a :hug: to you.
Glad to hear that she is feisty & growing well though :good:

 

We all know anything little thing can make all of us worry! VSDs are actually the most common congenital heart defect and most of the time, nothing needs to happens. Sometimes babies may need a minor surgery to fix the little hole but usually that's it, for life.

I have one myself! Not in my babies, but in my own heart. I went to the cardiologist every four years until I was 18. I had my heart checked out last year for an unrelated issue, and they couldn't even find it anymore.

I'm not going to tell you not to worry because I just hate when people say that! But... chances are, she will be fine.

 

Snow Pumpkin, thank you! I'm glad to hear of a "grown-up" who has come out OK with the VSD thing...

I always worry about my daughter's heart defect, although she is like you -- monitoring every four years, or so, because the hole is very small. When she was 6 weeks old, she was diagnosed with 1 ASD and 2 VSDs -- 2 of the holes remain, but like I said, they are very small and she checks out as a pretty healthy kid.

Of course, then I hear my twin girl has the VSD (ASDs aren't as easy to check in utero) and I'm praying that it isn't a big one or in a bad place. The doc seemed pretty reassuring that it if remains the same, I should be able to deliver at my local hospital but I would have to meet with a pediatric cardiologist ahead of time. Another roller coaster ride... I just hope that if I had to go through this again, that this little girl turns out exactly like my daughter, who was a thriving, growing, healthy baby despite this known defect.

I was so hoping that my daughter's defect was a fluke, but apparently, I have the genetic lottery ticket for this thing!

Thanks to everyone for your support. I'm just going to spend the next four weeks or so praying, hoping and trying not to worry!

 

Kellie,

Just sending some well wishes to you and your twins!

 

Kellie, I am SO sorry that your DD was diagnosed with a VSD. In almost all cases they repair themselves or can be repaired by surgery as you know already. I know how heartbreaking it is thought to know that your sweet lil one is less than 100% perfect. My last child, my son Elisha had a VSD, but his was very severe, he only had a 3 chamber heart, was completly missing a chamber. My whole pregnancy was very difficult. She will most definately be in my prayers for healing, and you for comfort. Be sure to keep us updated on her progress. God Bless
Shelley

 

Thanks Shelley! I'm so sorry to hear about your last baby; I can't even imagine how devastating that was! Thank you for your kind words and thoughts. I'm trying to be optimistic and positive!

 

Lia has a vsd and congenital heart disease. She has never had any issues for which we are very grateful! It is so common as you already know, but it's still scary and aggravating news nonetheless.

 

WaterGuzzler,
I'm glad to hear your little one is well, and thanks for sharing her story with me now -- I need positive news! Thank you!

 

I'm in a situation almost identical to yours. I'm 24 weeks pregnant with identical twin girls. We have been concerned since my first u/s at 12 weeks because Baby A's umbilical cord goes into the edge of the placenta. They were afraid that she would not grow at the same rate as B. Fortunately she is doing good (A is 1 lb 4oz, and B is 1 lb 7oz), but we are still watching her. At my 20 u/s they could not get a good view of her heart because of her position and the way she kept moving. They rechecked it at 24 weeks, and the u/s tech thought she saw a possible VSD. I went to see a pediatric cardiologist yesterday, who diagnosed a moderate sized VSD. He said that since I still have about 3 months to go in my pregnancy that there was a 50% chance that it would close on its own before birth. Or that it could be small enough that no treatment would be necessary. What worries me most is if surgery is needed. I know it is pretty "routine" in that it is done often, but the idea of open heart surgery on a baby terrifies me.

 

:hug: Momma!! I am so very sorry that you are having to go through this. I hope that it resolves itself without any intervention. In the meantime, I know its hard, but please try not to worry. :hug: Best of Luck to you!!

 

dfinn,

So sorry to see you are in the same situation as me! If it's any comfort, my daughter's VSD never needed surgery -- it's still there, but small and will not be surgicallly closed by monitored by a cardiologist every few years or so. We found out about it around 6 weeks old and I flipped out, paranoid about surgery, etc., but she thrived and this is where we are now.

Of course, now I have this twin daughter we are monitoring. At my last ultrasound, it was still there and now I have to consult with a pediatric cardiologist. Of course, I've been through this path before, but it's still scary. I'm praying that if we have to deal with this, it takes the same path as my daughter's.

And I just keep reassuring myself that if this is the worst, it's not horrible -- it's the most common, it's repairable, it's not the end of the world and we know enough about it now to keep an eye on it!

Good luck!