Fetal Echo - IVF - Abnormal finding after normal anatomy scan

[Anonymous]

Not a cardiac issue, but they found a cyst in my second child’s brain during the anatomy scan. 4 follow ups and it had resolved in the last one before when they would have pulled the trigger on a c-section at 37 weeks to possibly intervene.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Thank you for the helpful responses about Children's. I've looked up Donofrio and will reach out pending the followup echo in a few weeks. I sincerely appreciate all the stories and advice here.

[Anonymous]

OP you seem to be jumping by to conclusions. Understand you’re upset and worried but I’d try to not assume worst case scenario. It doesn’t even sound like there’s a diagnosis at this point. Just a follow up echo. Sorry but you remind me of a friend who whenever there’s any sort of follow-up test goes around telling people something is wrong. For example she has a mammogram and tells people she probably has breast cancer (she didn’t). Take it easy.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Your post wasn't helpful. I'm preparing myself as best I can for what the physician said were 2/4 possible outcomes. Taking it easy isn't it my nature, compiling information and being prepared while hoping for the best is. I haven't told anyone there is anything but an abnormal finding that requires followup. I was just asking whether other IVF moms with a similar profile had to do the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Your post wasn't helpful. I'm preparing myself as best I can for what the physician said were 2/4 possible outcomes. Taking it easy isn't it my nature, compiling information and being prepared while hoping for the best is. I haven't told anyone there is anything but an abnormal finding that requires followup. I was just asking whether other IVF moms with a similar profile had to do the same.

Sounds like you’re enjoying the drama. You don’t even have a diagnosis. Seriously stop with the hysterics. You’re going to have a hard road ahead of you with parenting if you act like this over a follow-up echo appointment. Go get a prenatal massage or something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Your post wasn't helpful. I'm preparing myself as best I can for what the physician said were 2/4 possible outcomes. Taking it easy isn't it my nature, compiling information and being prepared while hoping for the best is. I haven't told anyone there is anything but an abnormal finding that requires followup. I was just asking whether other IVF moms with a similar profile had to do the same.

What is actually the diagnosis??? Like what is wrong and why do you need another echo? Your OP wasn’t clear and was more about the drama than the actual problem at hand.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Refer to page 2. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

This is the PP who originally recommended Donofrio. I'm sorry you're dealing with this OP (and ignore everyone saying you are jumping to conclusions). Our diagnosis was similar (abnormal blood flow issue) but they couldn't tell how it would affect baby once delivered. It was one of those conditions they had never seen at CNH.

We were also given a few possible outcomes so I understand the highs and lows you are probably thinking of. I had quite a few moments of "will I bring a baby home". One thing that helped me was knowing there is nothing I can do about baby's condition other than ensuring she has the best care team and taking care of myself.

Someone mentioned the NICU at Children's. They have a specific Cardiac ICU that is 20-something beds and private rooms. It was not how we wanted to spend the first few weeks of our daughter's life, but it was so comforting knowing there were nurses and doctors who specialize in cardiac issues.

Best of luck, I hope your follow up appointment gives you more clarity and you have a healthy and happy baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Refer to page 2. Thanks.

I looked and don’t see the diagnosis on page 2. What it is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Your post wasn't helpful. I'm preparing myself as best I can for what the physician said were 2/4 possible outcomes. Taking it easy isn't it my nature, compiling information and being prepared while hoping for the best is. I haven't told anyone there is anything but an abnormal finding that requires followup. I was just asking whether other IVF moms with a similar profile had to do the same.

Sounds like you’re enjoying the drama. You don’t even have a diagnosis. Seriously stop with the hysterics. You’re going to have a hard road ahead of you with parenting if you act like this over a follow-up echo appointment. Go get a prenatal massage or something.

Jesus Christ, wtf is wrong with you? Seriously, you are a garbage human. I pity everyone who has to have you in their life, especially your poor kids if you unfortunately have any. Go get some therapy.

OP, I've been where you are and agree it's smart to prepare ahead. Finding out additional information about possible scenarios can be empowering and reassuring even if (hopefully) it turns out that everything is fine in a follow-up, or very minor. I also did IVF and at one of the scans they were convinced they saw a ventricular septal defect in my baby's heart. But at the follow-up scan it had either resolved itself or they'd been mistaken at what they thought in the original scan, which was obviously a huge relief but the interim period was very nervewracking. I had another friend whose doctor saw a brain defect at a scan which also resolved by birth. Her doctor told her that we see all kinds of things in fetuses now that are probably perfectly normal blips in development and that often do resolve themselves as development proceeds, but of course 20+ years ago no one ever knew this was so common because the technology just allows us to investigate so much earlier now. So, fingers crossed that this is the case for your baby, but even if not, good on you for starting to look ahead and begin planning for treatment if necessary. Sending you lots of good wishes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the PP who originally recommended Donofrio. I'm sorry you're dealing with this OP (and ignore everyone saying you are jumping to conclusions). Our diagnosis was similar (abnormal blood flow issue) but they couldn't tell how it would affect baby once delivered. It was one of those conditions they had never seen at CNH.

We were also given a few possible outcomes so I understand the highs and lows you are probably thinking of. I had quite a few moments of "will I bring a baby home". One thing that helped me was knowing there is nothing I can do about baby's condition other than ensuring she has the best care team and taking care of myself.

Someone mentioned the NICU at Children's. They have a specific Cardiac ICU that is 20-something beds and private rooms. It was not how we wanted to spend the first few weeks of our daughter's life, but it was so comforting knowing there were nurses and doctors who specialize in cardiac issues.

Best of luck, I hope your follow up appointment gives you more clarity and you have a healthy and happy baby.

Op here. Thank you so much for sharing your story, your compassion and understanding. I think we are getting to a place of what will be will be and let's control what we can (as you described). It's so helpful to know the children's nice is so personal and specialized and that we may not need to worry about thinking about a hotel stay and more in a different city. I'm so glad things worked well for you in the end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Your post wasn't helpful. I'm preparing myself as best I can for what the physician said were 2/4 possible outcomes. Taking it easy isn't it my nature, compiling information and being prepared while hoping for the best is. I haven't told anyone there is anything but an abnormal finding that requires followup. I was just asking whether other IVF moms with a similar profile had to do the same.

Sounds like you’re enjoying the drama. You don’t even have a diagnosis. Seriously stop with the hysterics. You’re going to have a hard road ahead of you with parenting if you act like this over a follow-up echo appointment. Go get a prenatal massage or something.

Jesus Christ, wtf is wrong with you? Seriously, you are a garbage human. I pity everyone who has to have you in their life, especially your poor kids if you unfortunately have any. Go get some therapy.

OP, I've been where you are and agree it's smart to prepare ahead. Finding out additional information about possible scenarios can be empowering and reassuring even if (hopefully) it turns out that everything is fine in a follow-up, or very minor. I also did IVF and at one of the scans they were convinced they saw a ventricular septal defect in my baby's heart. But at the follow-up scan it had either resolved itself or they'd been mistaken at what they thought in the original scan, which was obviously a huge relief but the interim period was very nervewracking. I had another friend whose doctor saw a brain defect at a scan which also resolved by birth. Her doctor told her that we see all kinds of things in fetuses now that are probably perfectly normal blips in development and that often do resolve themselves as development proceeds, but of course 20+ years ago no one ever knew this was so common because the technology just allows us to investigate so much earlier now. So, fingers crossed that this is the case for your baby, but even if not, good on you for starting to look ahead and begin planning for treatment if necessary. Sending you lots of good wishes.

Op here. Thank you for your support, compassion and sharing your and your friends story. I've been wondering a lot about how much we see and stress over now with the technology- a double edged sword if ever there was one. But I'm beginning to appreciate how even flagging something that might resolve allows for better preparedness on several fronts, and really am so grateful we are starting to understand any issues now rather than post delivery in a lower level NICU. Thank you for the good wishes, we will need them.

[Anonymous]

I did. It have a fetal echo and I was ama for both kids. Second was IVF.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op again. Thank you for that very helpful post. Therapy is a very good idea and I will find someone soon. We had been thinking about Children's here or Philly already, but are also trying to remain positive. It's such a balance between trying to put positive intentions into the world and preparing for the worst.

Children’s has the #1 NICU in the country and is a top 5 or 10 Children’s hospital overall (depending on the year; hovers around 5-6). Don’t go chasing a marginally bigger name and put yourself away from your home, you support system, etc. If you actually end up need advanced care over a period of time, you’ll be very glad you’re at home; if you don’t, you’ll be very glad you’re at home. Seriously. I’d advise differently if you lived in podunk, but Children’s is amazing… especially its NICU.

OP should research pediatric cardiology programs, not NICU especially if it turns out to be some major problem. The more serious emergency type cardiac cases are usually in the NICU only a few days max before having surgery then recover in the PICU or a dedicated pediatric cardiology unit in most hospitals. Something less severe could be managed indefinitely in the NICU before eventual surgery or even discharge home, but a good portion of the care is still coming from a pediatric cardiology team in coordination with the NICU team. That being said, most cardiac problems aren't severe emergencies and I wouldn't suggest considering leaving the area for a top 5/10 program unless after repeated scans, it was expected to be such. Good luck OP.

-former NICU nurse

[Anonymous]

I knew someone who's baby had an elevated NT distance, was followed by high risk ob, had all the extra scans and the baby came out totally fine. Anything is possible.