Abnormal Ultrasound at 11-1/2 weeks..please Help!

Prepare but don't get bogged down with this. I know of a family that was prepared for a downs baby because of some such testing and when the baby arrived he was very healthy. If they cannot give you concrete evidence of the problem then seek another doctor.

Hi C..

This is what I found on thick skin on neck in unborn babies.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/103527074/abst...
and
http://www.fetal.com/Genetic%20Sono/07_gen%20us%20after%2...
Read, get informed and be specific when you pray. With God, all things are possible. Nothing is impossible with Him. He will give you the strength to endure whatever diagnosis you get and regardless whether your precious little life is afflicted with something or not, this baby is so special in his/her own way. He will give you the strength you need to get through this.
Be encouraged by the Word and surround yourself with positive people. I know this is very difficult. I want you to know that there is hope. Jesus Christ. We were handed a grim diagnosis with our youngest daugther. She was born with multiples heart defects and has overcome great obsticles. She has a hard road ahead, but with His strength, we have become stronger and love deeper. If you need anything, anything at all, please do not hesitate to let me know. I will be glad to pray with you through this, whatever "this" is. Please keep me posted on your results.
Bless you in all you do C..
W. Morris
Sellersburg, IN

it is not a definate thing so try not to get to worked up over it.

The "nuchal translucency" is a screening designed to get every baby who may possibly be affected by certain disorders -- it is not a "test" as such, and has a great number of "false positives" because it is not supposed to be very accurate. However, the chorionic villus sampling (which I believe draws some fetal cells, with the genetic material), has a high degree of accuracy. I found more information here (http://womenshealth.jhmi.edu/ob-ultrasound/patients/nt_in.... Your doctor should be able to give you more information, as well as refer you to a genetic counselor who may be able to help you.

Here is a website (http://benotafraid.net/) devoted to people who have received a poor prenatal diagnosis. While many of them were inaccurate and the babies were perfectly healthy; some of the babies had problems. There is a full range of stories, from women who have chosen abortion and come to regret it to women who have chosen to carry their babies to term even with the uncertainty caused by the diagnosis; there are happy stories and sad stories. I hope it may be of benefit to you, as you read these stories and connect with women who went through what you're going through right now.

<b>*** Update ***</b> On this page (http://www.babycenter.com/404_what-are-the-risks-of-havin...) there were many women who had been told after genetic testing that their babies had a genetic disorder, and they were wrong.

No,... I have not been through that but you are still early in pregnancy. You have to sit down and talk about this with your husband. Are you strong enough and prepared to take care of a child with dwarf or downs or something even worse? What are your beleifs and what do you feel comfortable with? If you know, do you want to consider abortion or take your chances. Is it fair to bring a disabled child into the world if you knew about it? Would he want to be in this world under those circumstances? Would he be greatful for the chance to live no matter what? You also have to think about your other child, how something like that would effect her and her growing up (the talk, the embarrassment, etc)? How would this effect your marriage in the long run? If this caused problems in your marriage (with the frustration of never having any time for yourselves or each other) and you ended up in divorce, are you equipped to take care of someone like this alone?
On the other hand, maybe it will make your marriage stronger, maybe you are strong enough to handle this and you first born child will gain strength from this.
You need to weight it all out.
It will have to be a family decision.

I am so sorry. I hope it all works out.

Hi C.,
I did not have the "thick neck" on my baby's ultrasound, but had slightly small femars (leg bone). They gave me a 5% chance of having Downs baby and tried to push me to have amnio. I would not have that because there is about a 1 in 200 chance that the baby could die because of the test, which I would not take just to get info and ease my mind. The only thing I do know is that is a characteristic of downs, but by no means does that mean your baby has that!! Obviously it could be other things or be nothing! I have also known MANY people who have been told something was wrong, and they were perfectly healthy! My point is, please try your best not to worry! I, unfortunately, ended up having so many worries that I did not enjoy my pregnancy. My baby does have Downs but I actually would not change him for the world!! It has made me look at life differently and I believe has made me a better person! It was very difficult but he is a blessing and my miracle child in every way!! God has reasons for everything - please do not worry yourself, it just makes for a miserable time during what should be a happy time! Trust that everything will be ok & it will be! Get all the information from your doctors that you can and take care of yourself. Good luck, God bless, & have faith.

I'm sorry I don't have any advice for you but I wanted you to know that you will be in my prayers. Believe in Miracles!!!! God bless.

I don't have experience with this but I would agree with the other post that this early on, they could be wrong. Time will tell. However, I can encourage you that no matter what, you will love your baby despite any abnormalities, and God will give you the grace and strength to be a wonderful mother. I know because I have a special needs child and I don't look at him as a child with disabilities or who is different in a bad way, but rather as a child who is unique because God made him just the way he is...he has blessed my life in more ways than I ever knew possible. Keep us posted.

i was going to have that same test done (really just to see my baby again on the screen :) but the doctor said that he was going to try to talk me out of it. He said that those tests where they measure the folds of skin on the baby'sneck are only 60% accruate and that 30% of that 60 are false positives.

If it would make you feel better, do some research on Downs. But I wouldn't stress about it. You're gonna love that little guy no matter what. There may be challenges but there are so many professionals that will help. Try not to stress until the big day arrives and see. The test could be a false positive.

I never know if what I say does more harm than good :) my intent was to encourage. I hope I did :)

Hello, C.~

Modern technology is amazing in that you can at know what's going on quite early, but sometimes that's not very comforting.

Yes, our daughter had the exact same result at their 2nd baby's first ultrasound. She was sent to a larger hospital for a 2nd ultrasound, and they had the same results. She then had an amniocentesis (sp). It took a week or so to get the results and it actually was a rare genetic defect called triploidy. (There's also a defect called 'trisomy' with a number after it, depending on what chromosome was affected).

She was advised to 'terminate the pregnancy', but our family doesn't believe that's ethical (and we knew that God could still work a miracle), so they 'waited it out'.

Her water broke at 5 months, and after waiting through the first day and night, they induced labor the next morning. They could hear the heartbeat right up until delivery, but the baby was born dead. They were at a birthing center and were allowed to spend as much time as they wanted with the baby for closure, which I think was good. (In 'olden times' they would've just whisked the baby away and never let them see or touch him/her, thinking that was what was better for everyone).

I hope your news upon further testing is better, but only God knows what's best. Leave it in His hands. He'll see you through.

Our 'kids' (daughter and husband) have had 2 more healthy children since for a 'full house' of 2 boys and a little girl.

God bless you.

P.S. At 51 I've just started a job caring for adults w/MR (mental retardation), MI (mental illness), and physical handicaps. I know some people think these people are 'lesser citizens', but I firmly believe that God put them here to help US become and be better (more patient, understanding and loving) people.

Hey C. - I had this happen to me w/my second child. We had an amneocentisis(sp?) done and had to wait for the results...couple of weeks - I believe. During that time we were very concerned. Thankfully, the results came back negative and I had a bouncing (9 lb. 10 oz.) baby boy.

A nurse friend of mine had told me not to have that particular test performed because it's wrong so often. I didn't listen to her then, but when I was pregnant w/my 3rd...I sure did. It just causes unnecessary worry for us parents.

God's not going to give us anything we can't handle. Every child is a blessing. Congratulations!

~P.

C.-
I didn't have the exact same experience you are going through, but at my 20 week ultrasound they found my baby had a 2 vessel cord, which can also be a sign of a genetic disorder. I worried the whole time I was pregnant, and when he was born he was perfectly healthy, and I realized all that worrying was for nothing. I know it is a scary time, but try to not worry about it too much because everything could turn out okay in the end and you will kick yourself for worrying so much (of course easier said than done I know!) I hope all goes well for you and your tiny baby and this gives you some hope.

Tha last time I was pregnant my doctor asked me if I wanted to have these test done. I told her no and I would leave that to god. She said "Good girl, I hate those test, there not always right but I have to ask for fear someone will sue me." My doctor came righ out and said they are not "always right". I have a good doctor so they may be wrong. I will pray for you.

When I was pregnant with my son I had an abnormal sono at about 20 weeks (i think) and was put through tons of tests afterward. They thought he had a genetic disorder that was causing extra fluid around his brain. Can't remember what the disorder was called. But in the end they found out that it wasn't the case and he is happy and healthy.

So prepare for the worst. I did alot of research talked to other parents of kids with similar disorders. But know that sometimes they are wrong on a sono that early :)