Fetal Pleural effusion and Pneumothorax

[Hevn]

Hey ladies, really looking for someone who has been through the same situation.
On Tuesday 19 Nov I had a routine growth ultrasound and to check the position of my placenta as it had previously been low lying, found at 18+4. Placenta is now posterior.
While doing the ultrasound they noticed some fluid in baby's chest around the right lung so I was transferred to Fetal Maternal Medicine for a more in depth ultrasound to see what was going on. It was confirmed that baby had fluid around her lung that shouldn't be there.
They did an amnio to check for chromosome disorders but thankfully they came back clear.
With the amount of fluid in baby's chest, it had caused so much pressure that the right lung had deflated and her left lung and heart had been pushed over to the side. It was then decided that they would do a Fetal Thoracentesis to drain the fluid from around baby's chest. I had this done on Tuesday of this week. There was 11cm of fluid all around her right lung which they said was severe considering there is supposed to be none at all. They managed to get it all out though and the lung inflated. 5 hours later they did another ultrasound and unfortunately fluid had started building up again around her lung, there was 0.73cm which doctors said was quite fast not what I wanted to hear at all. I have to go back on Monday to see how much fluid has built up.
Right now they're proposing on doing the Fetal Thoracentesis again next week but also putting a shunt in to constantly drain the build up of fluid. They're hoping that this will be enough until I reach 37 weeks (32+6 right now) because they said baby needs to be as strong as possible when she's born. They said though that sometimes baby pulls the shunt out, if that happens then I will have to have baby's lung drained every few days. It's really not a nice procedure either and can in itself cause preterm labor. Since I had it done on Tuesday I've been contracting every 3-4 minutes but I am not dilating. They gave me 'mag' through IV to try and stop the contractions but it didn't work.
They also mentioned testing baby for some type of syndrome once she's born. I forget the name of it though but they said it can only be detected once baby is born.
Right now I'm so scared. Because of how severe it is, they said that it could be treatable or it could be something long term.

Has anyone been through the same or similar situation?

Sorry my post is so long, thanks for reading.

 

[TigerLady]

I haven't but I wanted to give you big . It all sounds very scary! Have you posted in gestational complications? You might get a better response there as this sounds pretty rare.

I hope your precious little girl does well and is okay! Stay strong, little one!

 

[xarlenex]

I have experience with fetal pleural effusion, I picked up a virus at the end of my first tri called parvo virus (slapped cheek) and although usually it doesn't effect the baby it wasn't the case for us, and my son ended up severally anemic, with fluid around his heart, brain, lungs and stomach all before 20 weeks. I'm tellin you this to show you that your little baby can cope with soo much more than we think. I was told because of the severity of things I would give birth to a still born baby, as you can see.. My son is a perfectly happy child. Around 21 weeks kyle was given an intrauterine blood tranfusion through his cord, I was warned about the risks of pre term labour but had no other choice. And afterwards he got strong and the fluid started to break away. And much to the shock of all specialists involved in my care, at 40 + 4 out came a healthy little boy.

At a time like this I can only advise that you put your faith in the doctors and their plan of care, and your little girl, its simply amazing how much they can handle. to you and your family xx

 

[Hevn]

Thanks to you both for your response.
We have another ultrasound on Monday to see if the fluid has built back up again after it being drained. I'm really hoping it hasn't but time will tell. If it has then they are wanting to put a shunt in for as long as possible, they said baby often pulls it out.
Because of the fluid the right lung is slightly underdeveloped. We're not sure how long it's been there for but my ultrasound at 18+4 was clear so it happened sometime after that.
I really can't fault the doctors at all. This was found on Tuesday 18th.
Had an appointment with Maternal Fetal Medicine on Friday 21st where they did a detailed 3hr ultrasound of every body part. They also did the amnio test, gave me a rhogam shot and a steroid shot.
Saturday 22nd I had my second steroid shot.
Monday 24th I had to go in so they could do a detailed ultrasound of the heart to check the structure and blood flow because the fluid had pushed it to the left of where it should be.
Tuesday 25th I went in for them to do the Fetal Thoracentesis where they drained the fluid.
Now I just have to wait until Monday 31st for the ultrasound to check how much/if any fluid has built back up and if it has, they'll drain it again next week. They think it will fill back up because of how severe it is and 5hrs after they did the drain on Tuesday, there was already 0.73cm of fluid back there but that's nothing compared to the 11cm that was there before the drain.

Trying to stay as positive as I can right now, it's just so difficult not knowing. On Monday I also get to speak with the pediatric doctor about what will happen once baby is born.

 

[TigerLady]

I hope your ultrasound goes well today!

 

[Hevn]

Thanks Tiger. Well, we went back today, the results weren't back from the fluid that they drained last week and the ultrasound today showed that the fluid is building back up not at all what I wanted to hear. I have to go back next week for another ultrasound and they'll more than likely drain it again next week with the possibility of putting a shunt in.

 

[TigerLady]

I'm sorry to hear it wasn't the miracle news you hoped for.

I really hope the results come back as not serious and this can be dealt with without too much trauma to your and your baby. FX she comes out healthy and happy with no lasting problems!

Stay strong!

 

[Hevn]

I went to see my normal OBGYN today, he's so good! He actually took the time to explain everything to me from what to expect between now and baby's arrival, what to expect once she's born and went over everything that's been done up to now. Definitely can't fault him!
He did tell me basically there's no more answers they can give me now, it's just a matter of waiting until baby is born so they can do more tests. Once baby is here she'll be in the NICU for a while so he told me to be prepared for that. That she'll need a bunch of tests and probably have to put a shunt in to drain her lung as soon as she's born until they can figure out what's causing the problem. It's not good news at all but at least he told me. It just sucks knowing I won't be able to hold her or anything for a while just hope she'll be home for Christmas but all depends on when she's born.
I still have to somehow tell my 8 year old daughter about all of this. She's so excited about becoming a big sister. I want her to be prepared though.

 

[TigerLady]

I'm glad your OB reassured you some. It's good you have time to prepare. Hopefully they will solve her problem quickly and she'll be home in time for Xmas.

 

[Hevn]

I hope she'll be home for Christmas! I'm just scared knowing that I won't be able to feed her, hold her ect but it's good that I kinda know what to expect, at least I can prepare myself for her to be away from me for a while

 

[Nishi]

Hi could you please tell me bit more about your baby. Yesterday We did 18 weeks scan and found she has Pleural effusion. And her heart is now pushed to right side. I have an appointment tomorrow with the hospital. So far I read article about Pleural effusion and willing to anything to make my baby girl well.

 

[Nishi]

Hi yesterday we did our 18 weeks scan and found my baby girl has Pleural Effusion. I have an appointment with the hospital tomorrow. We don't know the cause for this yet and could you please let me know bit more about your baby? I am reading details,treatments and risks associate etc. Most of the information are make me worry about my baby's health more and more. And wondering what I should do or shouldn't.