chances of bad news at 20 week scan mumsnet

And so began the most bizarre day of my life. What were babys measurements at 20 week scan? Sometimes women were told that the sonographer had found a 'marker' or sign of a chromosomal condition and had to wait for an amniocentesis to confirm the findings. I wrote a few things down last night when we were trying to go over things, just to remind myself. But here I was, minutes later, lying down, waiting. There is always a chance that a baby may be born with a health issue that scans could not have identified. Thick milky discharge at 14 weeks.tmi pic attached. My wife turned the screen away from her. Mumsnet carries some affiliate marketing links, so if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale (more details here), tbh, they never give you good news at scans. Well, at the regional hospital it was a 3-D scan. And the doctor - because it was a doctor rather then just the, a sonographer or whatever the correct term is - was scanning my wife, and she hovered over the heart of the baby and said, 'Oh there's the heart, we'll come back to that'. We, I was with my mum, and they scanned and found choroid plexus cysts on the brain, which is just a mark, it's a marker on the brain, it's a, what they call a 'soft marker'. The "why me?" I get terribly irritated by my close friends and family. Usually, sonographers will ask a senior sonographer colleague to confirm findings and this should be done immediately. Emma was 20 weeks' pregnant when a routine scan revealed that the baby she was expecting had Down's syndrome and heart problems. Do you have any thoughts about that? My wife had been very, very healthy, more healthy than the first pregnancy, and of course was shattered by the fact that the news, the news was appalling, very serious faces. I broke down and started hitting my disgusting body that had done this. I was told this was common as my body and hormones still thought I was pregnant. We must have had one before that as well, we must have had one before that, but it came back quite normal. I remained positive, we researched lots of cases of mistaken dates, inconclusive scans, and compared them to our situation; scrutinising everything to try and believe it was all one big misunderstanding. (See. Some say this estimate is really below the reality, and the out-of-pocket average costs are higher. And I know I can't hurry up the process of grieving. Except for the persistent, nagging doubts. So and you could see the exomphalus, this little pouch, which was obviously just the intestines where they are. From losing my dad to his battle with cancer, to then having to face another battle with cancer and my mum; thankfully she pulled though. My belly was growing and I was feeling great. And that was a terrible moment to be sort of hanging on, waiting. At first, I still had to deal with the physical implications of having given birth. Baby loss stories I felt I needed proof of what was wrong before I take such a huge decision and that I couldn't do it based on what someone had written on, on the paper. Still, the consultant thought things would be OK. My partner went out with him, wanting to see him. During the examination, sonographers need to keep the screen in a position that gives them a good view of your baby. So I suppose from that aspect, mind you having not been told that or sitting there, I wouldn't have thought necessarily that was odd. 10/03/2021 16:13, @Cormoransjacket Possibly with hindsight we could have been more worried about it, but was probably a good thing we weren't, because we weren't worried about anything basically. No one else felt him kick. To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account. And my partner and I would have a completely different life from the one we'd imagined. We couldn't say we'd lost the baby, because he was still kicking away, but we couldn't pretend everything was fine, either. On the third day, we got a phone call. Because we knew that that wasn't normal, that wasn't what we'd experienced before, it wasn't just the, 'There's the arm, there's the leg, oh look the baby's moving'. BabyCenter. There, I would give birth. He felt doing more blood tests would only cause me more discomfort and false hope. I was told that while bad news at the 12 w scan is often of the life or death kind, bad news at the 20 week scan is often of the 'needs an operation in childhood' or 'needs to wear a brace for a year' kind. And that was scanning up from the above the head, then you were coming up through the child's head, so you were seeing the chambers in the brain, sort of it was evident in all four chambers of the brain, then suddenly one chamber was empty. We spent the next few weeks in a happy bubble. So we'd gone through the Down's syndrome or worse scare, we'd had conversations about what we would do, if it was confirmed that it was Down's syndrome or another syndrome, another sort of chromosome abnormality. For example, you may be offered further tests that have a risk of miscarriage. That he - I think I was 21 weeks and 3 days, and he was coming up at 19 weeks and 4 days, or something like that. To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account. Immediately I knew what decision we should take. See you in -. The termination would be averting a tragedy. Next most likely (but actually in the minority) they identify something which whilst not 100% healthy is treatable. We had the 20 week scan yesterday and got some devastating news. We had the same conversation, but obviously were not making any sense to her at all. And shortly after that, that scan we'd finished and the consultant leant back and said, 'I'm afraid we have some problems here'. Most scans are carried out by specially trained staff called sonographers. But they didn't. Trying to carry on as normal, working and putting on a brave face. 'Soft markers'. Last reviewed July 2017. We've joined the grown-ups and we both feel very different. So instead, I was advised to go home and let nature take its course. Sometimes specialist scans such as 3D scans, or MRI scans, are used to examine the baby in greater detail. I know it sounds odd that you want to hear that it's wrong, but you, you know it's wrong, and you, you want to be reassured either that it's okay or is there something seriously wrong. It felt as if we had gone power crazy. I know its hard- but i really wouldnt worry about it too much as the worry will stress you and your body out. Desperately trying to hold onto the glimmer of hope we'd been given. Health professionals use the 18-20 week scan to examine the baby's size and position, and also to check if his/her brain, heart, lungs and other internal organs are developing as expected. Many described how sonographers and doctors were very restrained and didn't speak at all until they had analysed all the baby's details. So it was quite common, this is what happens. Some stories I hear are amazing! I know I could have delivered him in a quarter of the time, but I couldn't bear the thought of him leaving me. It is also sometimes referred to as the mid-pregnancy scan. You will then be asked to raise your top to your chest and lower your skirt or trousers to your hips. After half an hour of lying on the bed, I was starting to get nervous, but was excited to find out that the baby would be a boy and that I could see his little heart beating strongly. And I, and, I felt the weight of deciding what to do about it. And they took me to another room and they explained that the baby had what they thought was ventriculomegaly or something. And at the end of the day however much we talked about it - that it was going to be the two of us to make the decision and me to actually you know, go through it and decide that that was what was going to happen for him - and I just, I didn't want to do it. It is essential that all practitioners performing fetal anomaly ultrasound screening should be trained to communicate abnormal findings to women, as such information is likely to have significant emotional impact. But for those few days they were torture. And it turned out the baby's heart wasn't forming properly, the chambers weren't forming properly. Because, when you're angry with the world for dealing you such a shit time, you begin to hate the people who populate it. If an abnormality is confirmed or suspected, referral is usually required, although some obvious major fetal abnormalities, such as anencephaly, may not require a second opinion (this should be decided by local guidelines). As I say, I'm not a very nice person at the moment. And it was Christmas Eve and at the time I didn't think, the sonographer did spend a little bit of time scanning us and queried my dates several times and then explained that she couldn't quite see the baby's heart properly and would we come back in a couple of days? . There were also two spots on his heart, which were "soft markers" for Down's syndrome. ABDOMINAL CIRCUMFERENCE MEASUREMENT AT 20 WEEK SCAN. I was sat on the sofa working, my son was at nursery and my partner was in the bath. So had to come back in a week's time for a scan, which again is quite a common thing I found out. At that point, I got very not upset but quite sort of strongly severe sort of with the people at the hospital saying, 'Look, you know, that's 24 hours, possibly a 48 hours' wait - that's not something that's tenable. I didn't have a clue. If necessary, you will be referred to a specialist, possibly in another hospital. But everything seemed fine and we'd been sitting waiting to see the consultant, and I'd had an examination on the bed. I felt more informed, and I felt that that was what I needed in my head to see you know, that I've got to accept now that this, all these things are real on the screen and this was really my baby that's suffering all these things [sighs], but I was sad as well. I was sent home with a leaflet, strong painkillers and two types of antibiotics. The rarest scenario is that the baby is severely ill and choices will need to be made. The doctor wanted to do another blood test to confirm a significant drop in my hormone levels. And I said, I was still laughing, and I thought he was joking with me, and he said now I sort of could tell from his face that by that point he wasn't really joking anymore. All my plans were beginning to fall down. So I took the test and jumped in the shower. These opinions do not represent the opinions of Tommys and are not advice from Tommy's. Instead, we were shown to a room slightly away from the rest of the ward and the midwife stayed with us to talk through what was going to happen. This was a ray of hope for us. It's quite common, perhaps 1 in 10 they find these, and within a few weeks they disappear. 11 physical conditions (20-week scan) - GOV.UK How common is it for 2nd baby to come early..? But it's bloody hard being miserable the whole time. We bought a two tests that evening (quite lucky as I messed the first one up!). Another sick joke. 13/12/2020 20:45. The first words I said were: "If there's anything wrong then it's my fault", I had been working 70, nearly 80 hours the previous weeks and pushed myself hard. We've got the same battle scars. So at 20 weeks I went for my scan with my husband, with my daughter, to get our photographs. I can't remember the exact words but she said, 'There might be some fatal problems with your baby'. I noticed the box of tissues on the table. And that was Monday afternoon. Some of the other conditions, such as heart defects, are more difficult to see. We're going to go and see them. I pray it's just her heart but I can't see anything else is wrong as I have been scanned by a consultant since I was 14 weeks and every time he has said everything looks okay and she is growing consistently. It was just sort of deadpan faces, very serious looks, someone else coming to check. But on, in the middle of March, 10th March it was, we had a 20 week scan. We saw the consultant, who was reassuring, saying that he would rescan me and was sure everything would be fine. 'I was having nightmares and panic attacks. Impact of the 20-week and later specialist scans It's, I mean you can't tell from these scans what you're looking at really, but I remember thinking, 'it just doesn't look quite right' or something, but I didn't give it much thought. Can you remember that minute. But no. So at least then we went to that next stage prepared for the worst really. This image shows a baby's face and hands at 20 weeks, and gives you an idea of what you'll be able to see at this scan. Rather sharply, my partner tried to explain. Have I misunderstood what's going on?' We went in, had a scan, I can't remember the exact sequence of events because the baby was still in the wrong position. It sounds crazy, but I just knew. And they actually asked my husband to come in before they spoke to me. I didn't really know what that was. The gel makes sure there is good contact between the probe and your skin. I took my vitamins, stuck to the healthy diet and put on a brave face. It took 20 minutes to push him out. When I think about how long it took them to deliberate ultimately, maybe not, but it just felt like a bit of a fast food situation, didn't it? Bad news at 20 week scan | Mumsnet Our baby was beautiful. The anomaly scan, also called the 20 week scan or mid-pregnancy scan, is used to detect pregnancy irregularities significant in diagnosis of any of the following conditions: In most instances no serious issue will be found during the scan and many parents-to be will come away knowing that all is progressing nicely and, perhaps, having found out . And I felt like a murderer. The 18-20 week antenatal scan and further tests. I was experiencing some light bleeding for the past few days. And, so they sent me home at that stage because they said the specialist wasn't available till the following day, which was awful. But the consultant had found more spots on the heart and the measurements were the same. Where we were living then at the time you only had a scan at 20 weeks. Just that really! The 18 -20 week fetal anomaly scan is a watershed in most pregnancies because for the majority of women it will be the last time they are scanned before giving birth. So we decided to book an early 10 week private scan. What would we like to do with the body? The hormone levels had dropped, but they wanted to scan me again. I was then told yet again bad news. A long process of blood tests, scans, doctors and hospitals. The pain was bearable but uncomfortable, the hospital rang me a few days later and asked me how I was. By my own hand, I had to end the pregnancy. We walked all the way home. 20 week scans look for 11 different anomalies as a rule, however, indicators (markers) are not terribly reliable and in all the literature I found, the targets set for stonographers look like they only pick up around 50% or less of these variants. All the hopes, dreams, and plans we made with our little bumps has been taken away from us. Can you describe the difference between the scan at this later stage in a pregnancy? I didn't want to go through anymore scans. Hugely upset that to think that the baby was so poorly. SO much upset and needless angst has been caused by 'soft markers' found at scans. But you know I knew we had, we had to make a decision that was right for the baby as well. You get extra care and monitoring as appropriate and baby is proactively treated. At this point it wasn't looking great. But with time although we will never forget, I know we will be ok again. You will be able to discuss this with your midwife or consultant. While some parents understood the clinician's restraint - even when they had to wait an hour or more for a definite diagnosis - others disliked being kept in suspense and wanted to be told what the clinician was thinking. All pregnant women should be given the booklet by their midwife or GP Screening tests for you and your baby by Public Health England, which gives detailed information about the types of scan offered and what they are looking for. You have rejected additional cookies. This scan takes place between 18 weeks and 20 weeks 6 days of pregnancy and is commonly called the 20-week scan. I have horrible thoughts. Apologise for somehow doubting their right to be in this world. The scan can provide information that may mean you have to make further, important decisions. He was sure the consultant on Monday would see that the measurements were completely normal and that there was nothing to worry about. If you are offered further tests, you will be given more information about them so that you can decide whether or not you want to have them. And, it does not occur to you in the slightest. And I'm glad I did and she's glad she didn't. And how wrong could they be? The baby was very, very small. Specialist scans Seeing your baby on a screen can be really exciting. My partner's face was lit up, seeing the baby for the first time. I tried to keep positive. So on the Monday we went in to see the senior sonographer, I think she was a consultant at the hospital. On January 18, my baby was born, at 23 weeks - a little boy. I had to take a tablet there and then, under the supervision of a nurse, to end the pregnancy. I think at that time she had come to terms better with the fact that this baby was going to be terminated, and I don't think I was quite there. Wishing to be anywhere, but here being told the same agonising truth over and . The screen may be directly facing them or at an angle. I then had to wait in the room along with many other patients for an hour so they could observe me. The sonographer will be able to tell you the results of the scan at the time. I thought I was going to burst into tears. Could you tell? Some people had underestimated how serious any abnormality found at this stage could be for the baby. Specialist scans had a powerful effect on some parents because they could see the baby more clearly and in some cases people recognised which parts of the baby's body were not working properly. So it was just, we were coming up to the 20-week scan and I was just getting more relaxed, just actually starting to look at maybe baby catalogues or, you know, going down the baby aisle at the shops, which I'd always avoided. He had to come to the decision by himself. But I still didn't want to be the one who stopped this baby's chance to live. Intellectually, I knew this was not the case. I think I was about 20 weeks cos they, the hospital I think did the 12 and the 20, that was their standard thing and, yeah, so I got the 20 weeks one. The scan yet again confirmed things were not good, however the sac had grown. Maybe our son would have overcome his problems, survived his illnesses, led a happy life. Surely he couldn't have missed anything else that is so serious x. Reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment from a qualified health care provider. And that, that was when things where it started going a bit wrong. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk. We were denying him his life. Somehow, I walked from the sofa up to the bathroom and told my partner. The same sense of expectation. So that was it. I'm trying to understand because I haven't seen a 3-D scan, what it tells the parents? Very occasionally this second scan cannot be completed, for example because: In this case you will not be offered another screening scan but you will offered an all over physical examination for your baby after birth. Finally, Monday came and we went back to the hospital. In some cases concerns in utero fix themselves sometimes needs treatment. After that I got, I, it was about in, in 19-, hang on a minute, 2001 I got pregnant again, slightly unexpectedly. Went back a week later for the scan and, you were with me for this one, weren't you? I don't know how we got through the next couple of days. . I've been incredibly lucky to have such amazing support from Sam, my mum, and close friends and family. 20-week ultrasound (anomaly scan) - BabyCenter Australia And that was extraordinary to see the detail that that could offer. Laura miscarried her twin babies in February. I want to stop having such horrible thoughts. I was then told yet again bad news. I was disgusted - disgusted that such a tablet existed, let alone that I should have to take it. Instead, I had to raise a glass of water to my mouth, take a swig and swallow the tablet. Perhaps because we are alone in this, it has brought my partner and me very close. You've had your, you know, you've had your triple test and everything was fine. It is a noise that will stay with me for ever. This time, they discovered the baby has a two vessel cord (only one vessel from placenta to baby instead of two) and I've been monitored to make sure the baby grows properly and kidneys aren't damaged. I wanted to be a passive patient while the doctor did what he had to do. And having read, since read my information on Edwards' syndrome, a good 85 per cent have problems with the heart. The sonographer told me to take the notes, and the scan photos with me so they could review them also. He then told us what the prognosis would mean for the child. Dont worry we wont send you spam or share your email address with anyone. And in this instance the scan was very evident that there was something very seriously wrong. He told me that they may want to do blood tests, but that 'he didn't see the point'. So I lay on the bed and my partner sat next to me. I didn't think my instincts were worth much. So obviously quite relaxed. And she sort of got up and walked out of the room and called someone in. Most hospitals do not allow children to attend scans as childcare is not usually available. And nothing prepares you at all. As two youngest siblings, we were both permanently stuck in the irresponsible, childish role. That they could have spotted something, or not? And it all seemed so near at hand, you know, 31, 30 weeks, you feel like you're nearly, you're on the home stretch. The scan will find about half (50%) of those babies who have heart defects. By this point I had stopped bleeding, this caused problems. We didn't name him. We were bound to each other because of the blood that was on both our hands. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, midwife or hospital immediately. It is impossible to escape them and each one underlines your loss. I didn't want to be convincing him to agree with me. We thought it would all be over very quickly but, in fact, it was another 11 hours before the baby was delivered. The baby was kicking so hard that I began to believe him. Sometimes specialist scans such as 3D scans, or MRI scans, are used to examine the baby in greater detail. I managed to tell my mum, who said she would come with us to the hospital. It seemed inconceivable that we would not be having a baby in May. The decision to terminate the pregnancy was my partner's and mine. Picture every packed football staduim up and down the country - all healthy pregnancies and births. She advised I be referred to the EPU to be assessed. The scan looks for 11 different conditions in your baby and cannot find everything that might be wrong. The following is a quote from their report: If the scan reveals either a suspected or confirmed abnormality, the woman should be informed by the sonographer at the time of the scan. Not marginalised into being a victim. Well send you a link to a feedback form. factor is very strong. No discussion, no quiet contemplation. And it's like, I really wanted to see it and I didn't, and it was it was very mixed. How common is it to find anomolies at the 20 week scan? - Netmums I couldn't bear to see the baby and asked the midwife to take him away immediately. I mean, you just, you're just overwhelmed, it's so much fun. For example, the babys brain, kidneys, internal organs or bones may not have developed properly. And at that point I don't think we, I don't think we realised that there might have to be a decision, because we'd talked about it with, with Down's and the other possible problems, but at this point it was, well okay what can be done to fix the problem - because yes the heart's not developing properly but there must be something we can do.

chances of bad news at 20 week scan mumsnet 2023