Hi, My sister just told us last week she is pregnant (she's 19). She had her first prenatal visit last week and an ultrasound yesterday. Turns out she is 19 WEEKS pregnant. She only last week started on prenatals. I know how immature all of this was of her but it is what it is. I am worried because during the ultrasound yesterday the baby has severe club feet and they found a cyst on his brain. They sent her for blood work and want the results back before scheduling a level II ultrasound. I've read a lot of stuff that says this could indicate Downs Syndrome. Does anyone have any experience they can share? Thanks!!!
Downs babies are much more associated with an older woman's pregnancy than a 19 year old..do some research on club feet to help he rout and be supportive..she must not of known she was pregnant and this must be a crazy time for her much less having a baby with issues.
I was 39 when I got pregnant and that is when (Even at 35) they test for downs.
Hi Hon,
No long term advice, but if a developmental condition is present, there will be time for advice about that. For now, I just wanted to say that you (and your sister) are going through a lot just now, and I'm sorry. Please take a few deep breaths, feel the love that surrounds you, and wait for the results. No good can come from worrying before you have all the results. As an aside, when the results come in, your sister may ask for a second opinion. That made a world of difference to my sister-in-law and her now grad school daughter.
Please try to ease up on your sister. The biggest message I saw from your post is that you don't approve of the choices she made. The truth is, she is a woman who is a mother and is facing some deep and powerful issues concerning her child. She needs your unconditional love and unwavering support. As far as the childs health, it sounds as if the medical community is taking the steps needed to find a more definitive answer about the baby's health. Once that is established, your sister will have choices in front of her. I really do send many blessings to you and your sister and the baby. I will pray for the best for all.
M. P
My son was born with a right club foot....There was no indication to us during ultrasound, it may have developed afterwards but his ortho.told us 95% of cases are caught during the ultrasound. His MD is out of Childrens, Dr. James Kasser...please make sure your sister goes there....they see hundreds of babies with clubfoot! It is correctable and treatable. Keep the faith and I'm sending you best wishes!!!
More babies with Down syndrome are actually born to women under 35 than over 35 simply because they are the ones having more babies. There are many different chromosome disorders and other genetic conditions that these ultrasound findings may suggest. The results from her bloodwork should not take more than 48 hours. Your sister should request a referral to a high risk OB/MFM and a genetic counselor for a consult and level II ultrasound. Regardless of the results from the bloodwork she should see the MFM. If she lives near you there is a department at Baystate. I would request the appointment now since it will take several days to get the appointment and the bloodwork should be back soon. The MFM will be able to more accurately determine what there is on ultrasound as well as offer her additional testing if appropriate.
I know you must be extremely concerned about your little sister. I do want to clarify though that down syndrome is a genetic disorder and has nothing to do with prenatal vitamins. I have three healthy boys and I never took prenatals. If you eat a healthy diet they are not necessary.
Good luck with your situation!!
H. Z. (5, almost 4 and 15 month old boys)
Hi M.,
I found out I was pregnant with my second daughter at 6 weeks... at the 18 week routine ultrasound we learned she had club feet and were sent to a level II to confirm it. We were told moderate to severe. It was devastating to learn, but thankfully her spine and brain look great and the prescreens didn't indicate any chromosomal abnormalities. I had learned that club feet is common in children with spina bifida. Please try not to worry too much. The level II and blood work will give you more answers. Our daughter is a beautiful baby girl (now 2 months old) with no other problems. Thankfully club feet is correctable, and while it will be a long road for treatment, she doesn't know any different and is happy girl. She makes us smile every day! We were told she'll never be a track star... but I don't believe that. Troy Aikman and Kristi Yamaguci both had club feet! Once your sister's child is born it will ease a lot fears and questions. It really is not as bad as the picture your imagination can paint! One piece of advice... it's important to educate yourself, however please tell your sister not to devote too much time on the internet. She will be in my prayers for an otherwise very healthy baby!
B.
I toatly agree with Mimi P.....she has said it best,just hang in there and be there for your sister she needs you.As for the vitamins,shes taking them now so no worries... just guide her and be positive,your little guy will have a new cousin..now thats a blessing!!!!!
Club feet are not usually associated with Down's. Club feet alone is a condition that can be managed. It sounds like it may be a encephalocele (this is an observation based on what little information you gave) which is associated with other chromosomal disorders. But, either way, none of those things is related to not having earlier prenatal care. Your sister will likely need a lot of support. My sister did this sort of thing twice! She is very impulsive and is the sort of person who has to have a man in her life or she doesn't feel whole. She has 2 great boys and is expecting a girl in the next few days. It hasn't always been easy for those of us who love her, but we do whatever we can to support her. Good luck. If her level 2 ultrasound shows further issues, I would highly suggest going into Boston for some specialized support.
I really think you have to wait for further test results before jumping to conclusions. I have a daughter with Down Syndrome, and I have never heard of those birth defects indicating Down Syndrome. The level II ultrasound and the blood work should help in a diagnosis. I know it is very difficult to know something is wrong but not know what it is. The world of technology and the internet is wonderful, but sometimes there is just too much information out there, and we all can jump to a lot of conclusions. I know it is hard, but just try to be there to reassure your sister. It is difficult at any age to have a baby with disabilities. She will need your love and support.
Keep in mind that if the baby has Down Syndrome, it would not have been any different if she started on prenatal vitamens as soon as she knew she was pregnant. From all I have been told, Down Syndrome happens at conception as every cell in a baby's body contains the trisomy on the 21st chromasome (except in children that are Mosaic and then it affects cells at random--some have the trisome on the 21st chromasome and some don't).
I wish you all the best.
I have an 11 month old son who was born with bilateral clubfoot. Neither my husband or I have any family history of Clubfoot and I started taking prenatal vits the day I stopped taking birthcontrol. I also was extremely healthy during my pregnancy - excercising, eating very healthy, avoiding all the things advised, etc. So it was very frustrating to find something "wrong" with our baby. But as our genetic councelor told us sometimes it's just random luck.
We also had to have an ultrasound to check for other congenital birth defects such as Down's syndrome and spina bifida. I think if a baby has one congenital problem there's a possibility of having another. Thankfully there were no indicators of any issues other than the feet but we were prepared for the worst since things can still be missed during ultrasounds.
Your sister is going to need extra support and love during this very stressful and challenging time (the first few months after birth will be extra hard adjusting to the regular baby issues plus having a baby with special needs). It was probably not any thing she did or didn't do but from here on you can support her and help her be her healthist for this baby. I don't have a lot of experience with Down's but as far as the clubfeet - early intervention is key. My son started the casting process (look up Ponsetti on the internet) at one week old and now at almost one year has no physical problems.
I hope your sister and family make it through all this. This baby will be a special gift for your family. If you or your sister want to talk more about clubfoot please feel free to write. I would love to share more of our experience.
