Heart Issues Detected on U/S

[micd]

I had my 20 wk u/s on Friday and they detected three things going on with the baby. First, they found an echogenic intracardiac focus, it's a small calcium deposit on one of the ventricles. She also has a ventrical septal defect, a small hole between the ventricles. Thirdly, she is measuring small (intrauterine growth restriction, I think I've finally got these big words nailed down!)...I was 20 wks at the u/s and she is measuring 18 wks. The measuring small thing doesn't really worry me as I am convinced I had a much later conception date, though the combination of all of these things has made the doctor concerned so he put me on bedrest until my next u/s in two weeks. These three things have put the baby at a higher risk for having a chromosomal issue, though it is still a small margin.

I am really not a worried mama right now. If there is a chromosomal issue, I am still going to love and adore my baby...I just want her to be healthy. I am wondering if anyone else has had any experience with these heart issues being detected on u/s? A lot of people have told me that the heart things will often clear up on their own and that they can end up being no big deal. Just looking for any other experiences. Thanks in advance!

[ShannonGH]

I don't really fit into the category you were looking for (as far as heart issues being detected on u/s) but I am the mama to a babe that was born with heart defects so I wanted to post. :) DD was born with an ASD & VSD, neither of which were detected on u/s. She was under the care of a cardiologist from the beginning. She actually baffled her cardiologist b/c she was growing and gaining weight right on target, which is usually not the norm for babes w/ heart defects. Their hearts usually have to work so much harder than normal, that they're burning off so many more calories and, therefore, have trouble gaining weight. Despite the weight gain, we knew she had to have heart surgery at some point, and we opted to have it before the winter months to avoid cold/flu season. She was 5 months at the time of surgery. I'll be honest, it was not fun at all! But babies are SO resilient...Noa was home from the hospital in 6 days after open heart surgery! And she only needed Tylenol for pain meds! Crazy! Granted, those 6 days were some of the hardest I've lived through, but we got through it and are probably a stronger family because of it. :)
Hang in there, I'm sure many defect do resolve themselves inutero but I wanted to share our story so you have a reference that everything will be okay, even if your baby's defect does not close on its own.

[first-time mom]

I dont really fit your question either but I wanted to post our experience with heart defects. It wasnt detected until she was 2 days old but my daughter was born with a pfo and vsd. She had congestive heart failure at 10 days old and had open heart surgery at 8 wks old to repair the holes. She is now 15 mos old and has a clean bill of health. No murmurs no nothing. SHe is truly a miracle. Todays technology is so advanced that they can fix most issues with the heart. It is scary and nothing can prepare you for the emotional ride but they can do so much today. I will tell you that we were told 70% of all vsd usually close on their own without surgery but that wasnt are case. My daughters was just too big to close. I would try not to worry but no matter what anyone says you will. If you have an questions now or after your baby is born feel free to pm me!! Take care

[micd]

ShannonGH and first-time mom thanks so much for the replies! That is truly amazing what they can do now a days. Open heart surgery on babies! I guess babies are pretty resilient. I'm glad that everything worked out so well with both of your children. I know this sounds completely silly, but I just keep thinking that if something is wrong with her, they may wisk her away after she's born and I won't be able to hold her right away. Crazy that I'm thinking about that already.

[ShannonGH]

That's not silly at all. :) You'll definitely get a chance to hold her. My daughter had trouble breathing (pinking up) right when she was born so they only placed her on my tummy for about 2 seconds and then put her under the incubator thing to give her oxygen (right beside my bed). It didn't take too long and she pinked up and I had the chance to hold her and breastfeed her.

[kmmommy]

My DD's heart defect was discovered during a Level II u/s at 36 weeks. She was diagnosed as having an AV Canal (to simplify - 1 bigger hole) and we were told at that time she would need surgery at 3-6 months of age.

When she was born an ECHO was done immediately in which the cardiologist said she doesn't have an AV Canal rather an ASD, VSD and partial AV Canal (3 small holes) and that she may not need surgery until 1 year or possibly even 4-5 years.

We visit the cardiologist even 2-3 months and most recently he said surgery is probably not necessary until she's 2 or even later. He's consulted with other doctors just to be sure.

The one piece of advice I would offer: find a cardiologist that you trust. I completely trust M's cardiologist. He is very gentle and loving with her and always has a smile on his face. I trust him with her life. That's important because while it can be fixed it's a little scary sometimes too.

Thinking of you and your baby girl. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

[SarahKatG]

My DD was found to have an echogenic intracardiac focus during our 20 week u/s. We went in each month after that for a level 2 to monitor it and it stayed with us throughout the pregnancy. We were told it was a soft marker for Downs but DD was born completely fine. I hope everything turns out well for you guys, too.

[micd]

Thank you for all of the replies, and support :) You ladies have given me some good info and stories. I'll just have to wait until my next u/s on the 16th to see what new info they might give me. Until then, just going to keep trying to hang out on the couch!

SarahKatG - I was also told that baby's chances of having downs has been increased, though it's still about 1 in 600. Did you have an amnio done? I am leaning away from it b/c I know there is a small risk associated, plus it's not going to change anything for me. Just wondering...

first-time mom - what is a pfo?

kmmommy - that is great that sugery is able to be postponed for a bit!

[kmmommy]

pfo = patent foramen ovale

Link for more information:

http://scuba-doc.com/pfo.htm

[SarahKatG]

I opted not to have an amnio. My AFP results were good, there were no other soft markers, and the doctor said the presence of a nasal bone in the u/s was a marker against Downs. I did a lot of research and found that a good number of doctors don't consider it a very valid marker any more. A very helpful message board for me was http://choroidplexuscyst.org/forum/ The name suggests it's mostly for those with CPCs, another soft marker, but they discuss EIFs a lot, as well. Anyhow, I didn't have an amnio and even though it meant a few months with that wonder in my mind, I'm glad I didn't.

[first-time mom]

micd-It is completely normal to worry and to feel the way you do. Its overwhelming when you hear something is wrong with the heart because at least my first throughts were "you only have one & its one of the most vital organs in the body" so it scares the crap out of you!! But you dont have to worry about not seeing your baby and that she or he will be wisked away because even with the most severe heart conditions surgery isnt always done right away. In some instinces it does need to be done ASAP but not as often as waiting. So dont worry you will get to hold your precious bundle:)

kmommy-Thanks for posting the info on pfo. (micd) I was told when Kaylin was born with the vsd and pfo that the only reason the pfo didnt close (it is supposed to close upon first breath) is because of the large vsd that she had. I was told it was good that it didnt close because it was helping with the blood flow in the lower chambers.

[goldengbridge]

My son has diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome after he was born. Something they should have picked up on US but didnt. HLHS is the most severe heart defect you can have. I agree with the other posters, they can do SO much these days! Andrew had his first open heart surgery at 2 days old. He had his 2nd at 4 months old and he just had his 3rd and hopefully final surgery in Sept at 2 years old. My only piece of advice is make sure you do a lot of research and choose a good hospital. It can make a world of difference. Good luck! I'll keep your little one in my prayers!

Did they set you up to have a fetal echo done? You're far enough along now that you could have one done by a ped cardiologist?

[micd]

Thanks for the kind words. Yes, it is easy to get worried. I actually did not worry that much until I started researching everything...haha! Though I know that they can do so much and modern medicine is quite amazing. I am really not super worried about it all...I think I am more anxious for my u/s next week to see if there is any new info they can give me. DH is deployed right now (will be back in 4 weeks), which makes it a little hard, but I have SOO many supportive people around me and helping me out right now that it is quite amazing!

goldengbridge - No, I haven't been told anything about a fetal echo. I did see a perinatoligist...he is the one who told me everything, and I guess he is one of the top ones at our hospital. DH is in the military so we do everything through the military hospital. With this set-up, you really can't chose your doctor, but the hospital is huge and there are tons of specialists, so I feel that we will be well taken care of. Thank you for the prayers :)

[first-time mom]

I freaked myself out by researching on the internet. Just remember ppl like to post horror stories so beware of things you read. I had to stop researching because I just got myself all upset and no heart defect is the same so remember that. I still to this day here stories that make me worry about my daughter. I was told she would need no more surgeries and taht her heart was normal but I still worry about "what if". Its hard to not worry but you are right modern medicine does put your mind at ease somewhat!

I would try to see if you can get a fetal echo because that will look more closely at the heart and you will be able to see what exactly is going on.

Take care and feel free to pm or ask questions here if you need to:)