Requiring special heart scan for baby... so worried.

[ahcigar1]

I have never been worried before but yesterday the doctor called me up and told me that I needed to book a special Ecco cardiogram scan for baby. So it is booked for 22weeks on the 20th of this month. Said need to get this cause hubby was born with a hole in his heart that needed to be patched and needing to have 2 of his valves replaced early after birth. I'm so worried that something could be wrong with mine. I just want a happy and healthy baby. What are the chances do you ladies think of baby having these problems too? Asked doctor and she said 50/50 there is no way of knowing till I have this scan, even with baby's heartbeat sounding strong. They are requiring me to have this so if there is a problem then they will be prepaired to treat and care for baby when she arrives. Has anyone else have had to do one of these and baby turn out ok?

 

[FEDup1981]

I had a heart scan on baby at 20wks, for different reasons. The scan is a high level ultrasound, and the detail is absolutely amazing. I could see all four chambers, the heart valves, and the 3 flaps opening and closing. It really was a great experience - albeit a nerve racking one.

I was told at the time that baby was ok. And that was such a relief. Im sure all will be fine with ur baby. Good luck, try not to worry, and try and take in as much detail as you can. Theyre nothing like a routine ultrasound detail xxx

 

[oOskittlesOo]

Hey Hun. Just wanted to make you feel a bit better. My little brother was born with several heart deffects and sadly passed away during surgery.. That was 16 years ago, but it was what they think was genetic because in my family history we've had several stillborn or SIDS a day or two after birth.. Obviously that was before they had the technology they do now. But it's been every generation in my family so they were worried as I'm the first one of my brothers and cousins generation to get pregnant. I went for mine last week and it went absolutley perfect. Everything looked really strong. Most likely things will be good and not bad. And just so you know, all babies are born with a hole in their heart, some just don't heal like they should so that's a very common problem for newborns. With all of the amazing technology they have now there's not much of a reason to worry. The best way to think of it is that it's another time of being able to see your little one and that if anything is wrong they will be able to tell you now so they can start planning anything that needs to be done instead of your baby being born with it and you having no idea so it just being thrown on you immediatlu after birth. enjoy your scan, most likely they'll make it a bit more special, or they did for me, because it's a stressful time and scan.

 

[ahcigar1]

Thanks ladies. These comments do make me feel a bit better. I will try and just see it as another chance to see my beautiful LO and nothing else.

 

[oOskittlesOo]

Thanks ladies. These comments do make me feel a bit better. I will try and just see it as another chance to see my beautiful LO and nothing else.

if your scan is anywhere close to being like mine they even let me lay and watch him move around for 20 minutes, gave me 7 pictures, plus switched to 4d and gave me those (my avatar pic) with just my insurance paying for it.
Also FEDup1981 is right about the ultrasoud being higher resolution so you see your LO's kidneys perfect, heart is amazing picture because it shoes each valve etc.

 

[ahcigar1]

Thanks ladies. These comments do make me feel a bit better. I will try and just see it as another chance to see my beautiful LO and nothing else.

if your scan is anywhere close to being like mine they even let me lay and watch him move around for 20 minutes, gave me 7 pictures, plus switched to 4d and gave me those (my avatar pic) with just my insurance paying for it.
Also FEDup1981 is right about the ultrasoud being higher resolution so you see your LO's kidneys perfect, heart is amazing picture because it shoes each valve etc.

That would be great if they did this for me. I'm having it down at SDSU so hopefully they are nice and a little generous.

 

[oOskittlesOo]

Thanks ladies. These comments do make me feel a bit better. I will try and just see it as another chance to see my beautiful LO and nothing else.

if your scan is anywhere close to being like mine they even let me lay and watch him move around for 20 minutes, gave me 7 pictures, plus switched to 4d and gave me those (my avatar pic) with just my insurance paying for it.
Also FEDup1981 is right about the ultrasoud being higher resolution so you see your LO's kidneys perfect, heart is amazing picture because it shoes each valve etc.

That would be great if they did this for me. I'm having it down at SDSU so hopefully they are nice and a little generous.

they probably will be. I live in northern california- eureka- so I had to go down to UCSF and they're absolutely amazing down there!!! They want to give you the best expierence possible with the circumstances.

 

[RHR]

Hi hun, I haven't had this problem, but my bother was born with heart problems which required major surgery when he was 6 weeks old. When I was pregnant with my dd and with this lo, when I've had my scans they've paid really close attention to checking the hearts.

I know it' scary, but they're doing the right thing and at least everyone will be either made aware if there is a problem or everything will be fine. Good luck and let us know how you get on

 

[BabyBubbles]

I had to have one as my sister was born with a heart problem that corrected itself after birth. I was worried but at the end of the day, I knew I wouldn't be able to change the outcome so I just enjoyed seeing baby again! Everything looked perfect - the scan was so detailed it was almost scary!! I'm in the uk so probably a bit different to what your experience will be but just wanted to let you know that these scans do have positive outcomes!!! x

 

[mami2karina]

Good luck hun. I just wanted to let you know that my daughter was born with a murmur that her ped didn't catch. It was caught by an older doctor when she was on vacation. She was 18 months old at the time. We had to go for an echocardiogram with the Pediatric Cardiologist here in town, he is one of the best in the nation, even worked for NASA. We were told then she had a hole in heart that didn't close at birth. It's suppose to close when they take their first breath. I was so scared about open heart surgery etc. We had to go back 6 months later for a follow up scan and if had not closed at that time we would have to do surgery. Thank God it closed on it's own. He was really nice, even shared his personal experience with his granddaughter. She had the same thing and it closed by the time she was 3. Good luck! I pray that baby is fine. Is your husband's heart problem hereditary or genetic? Or was it just a fluke?

 

[ahcigar1]

Thanks ladies. With these stories I feeling a bit better.

Mami it was a fluke, no one in his family had this problem that they know of.

 

[pip7890]

Hi

I have a heart murmur (a leak on one of the valves that has been with me all my life). It's never caused me a problem and I've had a very active and physical life. I didn't get any extra scans or care during my pregnancy with my DS 15 years ago.

My consultant in this pregnancy has decided that I need to be referred to a fetal heart specialist for the baby's heart to be checked at around 20w. He's also referred me back to my own cardiologist for another check up.

I'm trying to stay positive (I've no reason not to be) and looking at it as an opportunity to see Wriggle-Bum again!

Pip x

 

[seoj]

I wish I could ease your mind with some great statistics... but it sounds like your baby has a strong heartbeat, so that's good... and hopefully they have a perfect little heart with no issues. Just do your best to think positive hun!

Just wanted to wish you the very best of luck!!!!

 

[creatingpeace]

I have no special knowledge or answers! Just wanted to send good vibes and hugs!!! Thinking of you!

 

[ahcigar1]

Thanks ladies.

 

[mami2karina]

Thanks ladies. With these stories I feeling a bit better.

Mami it was a fluke, no one in his family had this problem that they know of.

Well that's good news! I'd say you have a good chance then that everything is going to be okay I know how scary it is. With my last they thought he had a problem at 6 weeks old with the valve between his stomach and intestines not opening because he had acid reflux bad to the point that he was projectile vomiting. The ped told me I had to go to the hospital right then for an ultrasound and if it showe the valve wasn't opening I had to go straight to St. Louis Children's Hospital 2 1/2 hours away for him to have surgery that night. I was bawling. Thank God he was okay. Just reflux. But it is so scary.