I feel empty and incomplete. So even if anomolies are found, they don't always mean a problem.. x. I had issues at the 20 weeks scan with both of mine. My partner really wanted me to, and by that time I had no sense of what was right or what I should do. blood tests, CVS) were clear - and as one woman put it, 'after the triple test* (Down's syndrome screening) you stop thinking anything can go wrong'. I want to be nice again. 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. The appointment usually takes around 30 minutes. I did. We've got the same battle scars. And I could see, before she even said anything I could see that there was something wrong with the heart. 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. It is a noise that will stay with me for ever. In fact, interestingly enough, going sort of. Can you describe the difference between the scan at this later stage in a pregnancy? Just doing it. On January 18, my baby was born, at 23 weeks - a little boy. We had so much power, we could decide that this little thing should die. The consultant explained that this was just very bad luck and not, as far as they knew, genetic. And attribute some blame to them. (See 'Resources'). This might be uncomfortable. 12/12/2012 22:41. Many parents were shocked by findings from the 20-week and later scans. But no. b>Bad news at 20 week scan. Eventually, the midwife said to us very sweetly, "I think we should deliver the baby now." 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. And at that, I let out a scream I think. The thing about that which I felt was difficult is that we could tell when being scanned that there was something very seriously wrong. Hugely upset that to think that the baby was so poorly. We decided that we wanted medication to help me. I was becoming numb to the whole process. But the closeness has remained after the drama has died down. And, so they sent me home at that stage because they said the specialist wasn't available till the following day, which was awful. I remember thinking, 'that doesn't look quite right'. 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. But worse was to come. By my own hand, I had to end the pregnancy. [Husband] couldn't make it. It would have been nice to see someone straight away because I was in such shock. For instance a couple who knew their baby was 'on the small size' were told he was fine at the 18-20 week scan, but discovered at 32 weeks that he had microcephaly. And the first few things they said it didn't sound as thing, as though things were terribly wrong. I wasn't unduly worried at all. In order for the sonographer to get good images of your baby, the scan is carried out in a dimly lit room. 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'. I had no idea if we were doing the "right" thing. It's quite common, perhaps 1 in 10 they find these, and within a few weeks they disappear. All the hopes, dreams, and plans we made with our little bumps has been taken away from us. I then had to wait in the room along with many other patients for an hour so they could observe me. He felt strong and fit and healthy. I was becoming numb to the whole process. It went from bad, to worse, to worse, to dire, then to better. My partner watched the baby come out, and for a split second I saw a look of joy on his face. Spina bifida can usually be seen clearly on a scan and of those babies who have this condition, around 9 out of 10 (90%) will be detected. I came back probably about 17 weeks pregnant and had the anomaly scan at 20 weeks and like most people expected everything to be fine and to come away with a lovely picture but unfortunately that isn't what happened. 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. So at 20 weeks I went for my scan with my husband, with my daughter, to get our photographs. Likely to have serious medical problems all his life. She brought up a picture of the heart on the screen. And with each one we had to have the same conversations. 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). Within it are a number of recommendations for the communication of findings from ultrasounds. Please note that the opinions expressed by users in Tommys Book of #misCOURAGE are solely those of the user, who is unlikely to have had medical training. 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). Have I misunderstood what's going on?' The doctor didn't come. We had the 20 week scan yesterday and got some devastating news. We're going to go and see them. You've had your, you know, you've had your triple test and everything was fine. So I was, they couldn't actually finish the scan then, the baby was moving around too much, so they couldn't scan the heart and the stomach. The ultimate betrayal. BabyCenter. We left the hospital a couple of hours later. I know it is still early days. And that, that was when things where it started going a bit wrong. . I've realised that being a nice person is a luxury some can't afford. I think I don't everything just seems a real blur because it was, it was such a strange experience. The sonographer then passes a hand-held probe over your skin to examine the babys body. Our position in our families has shifted. Laura miscarried her twin babies in February. I noticed the box of tissues on the table. In some very serious rare cases, where no treatment is possible, the baby will die soon after it is born or during pregnancy. As I say, I'm not a very nice person at the moment. The hardest thing I have ever done. 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'. What happens at the second midwife appointment? Wishing to be anywhere, but here being told the same agonising truth over and over again. He wanted to talk about it, but I didn't. Sometimes doctors will wait to give the baby more time to develop and carry out repeat scans - this had confused several parents we talked to who had gone for repeat scans not knowing that the baby might have a problem. 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. I guess the morphine made it easier. The hormone levels had dropped, but they wanted to scan me again. So that just left the talipes. We need to have your opinion'. Some people we talked to had not had a 18-20-week scan, either because their babies' abnormalities had been detected by earlier . A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales company number 3266897. 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. We're still not at the end of our journey, but we're much further along. I went away and came back, and she couldn't get a good picture. We were denying him his life. He told me that they may want to do blood tests, but that 'he didn't see the point'. Others, including those who had been given leaflets to read about the scan beforehand as well as some who were health professionals, said that they had been nave about the 20-week scan. Later, I did see and hold our baby. However, a few hours later there was another shift change. So she said, 'Come back on Monday. This was a ray of hope for us. After the triple test you stop thinking, you stop thinking that anything can go wrong. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) have produced a report on Termination of Pregnancy for Fetal Abnormality in England, Scotland and Wales (May 2010). 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. There was a very marked lack of amniotic fluid which made it difficult, not even for the scanners to see, that made the picture of the scan look very, very different. I hated my body and hated every feeling I was having. You have accepted additional cookies. He felt doing more blood tests would only cause me more discomfort and false hope. Still, the consultant thought things would be OK. In the case of a suspected abnormality, women should be seen for a second opinion by an expert in fetal ultrasound, such as a fetal medicine specialist. You might be offered another test to find out for certain if your baby has one of the conditions. I want to stop having such horrible thoughts. However, at the time neither of us could articulate that. It sounds crazy, but I just knew. I couldn't work out what was taking so long and put it down to the doctor being young and inexperienced. All my plans were beginning to fall down. You can change your cookie settings at any time. You may need to have a full bladder when you come for the appointment. And they took me into another room. But he was wrong. And she sort of got up and walked out of the room and called someone in. It is also sometimes referred to as the mid-pregnancy scan . The same sense of expectation. Because, when you're angry with the world for dealing you such a shit time, you begin to hate the people who populate it. Not surprisingly, people aren't quite sure how to deal with me. But other than that everything was fine. Severe chromosomal conditions such as Edwards' syndrome are now often picked up in the first trimester antenatal screening but itwill usually be more obviousat the 18- 20 week scan, though usually a firm diagnosis will not be made until one or two specialists have weighed up all available evidence about the baby - which usually means that another expert needs to scan the baby again, or until the woman has had an amniocentesis. I sat and waited to be called for my scan. I returned to be told they wanted to scan me again, another internal to see exactly what was happening. It seemed a very arbitrary system, and so you quite often sat outside in the waiting room for a couple of hours before you actually got to see the consultant, which was, seemed you know, I kind of remember thinking before we went in to see him on the particular day when we found out there was a problem, 'Why are we sitting here? The first result, which tells you if the baby has Down's syndrome, is ready in three days, but the other chromosomal problems cannot be eliminated for up to three weeks. I can't remember the exact words but she said, 'There might be some fatal problems with your baby'. And I can just remember flashing a look at you as if to say, 'Have I made a mistake here somewhere? And I, and, I felt the weight of deciding what to do about it. So carried on with the plans, and, you know, planning for the, another baby to come along and then we went for a 20- week scan which is obviously the big one and very exciting, seeing all the arms and legs and once again everything was going fine, 'Look here's the baby, here's the length of baby'. Sometimes doctors will wait to give the baby more time to develop and carry out repeat scans - this had confused several parents we talked to who had gone for repeat scans not knowing that the baby might have a problem. To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account. And, it does not occur to you in the slightest. See you in -. We needed closure, to allow us to grieve properly. I was then told yet again bad news. I used to think the feeling of your baby kicking inside you and the sight of a foot poking against your skin were the most fantastic things in the world. If one of the conditions is found or suspected, the sonographer may ask for a second opinion from another member of staff. My partner was away working and was waiting to hear whether he was having a son or daughter. In this information, the word we refers to the NHS service that provides screening. No, we really didn't, with hindsight we probably should have, but not at all, it never occurred to us to be worried about it. We were convinced everything would be OK. So we decided to book an early 10 week private scan. Where we were living then at the time you only had a scan at 20 weeks. And I remember, the first thing I remember when something might be wrong, was I saw, I finally, we finally saw an image of the skull on the screen, and there appeared to be a sort of black hole shape in the middle. Tommys is a registered charity in England and Wales (1060508) and Scotland (SC039280). Some parents wondered if it was possible to have the same scan done at 16 weeks rather than 20 weeks. I could hardly breathe. The blood test confirmed it was twins. I had hope that the little bumps inside me were fighting just as much as I was to stay with me. Sometimes specialist scans such as 3D scans, or MRI scans, are used to examine the baby in greater detail. He was tiny, perfect and a Down's syndrome baby. Do you have any thoughts about that? The doctor told me he was 98% sure this was a failing twin pregnancy. Trying to carry on as normal, working and putting on a brave face. Any delay in receiving more information about the abnormality and its implications will be distressing for women and this should be acknowledged. 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'. Again, we weren't understood. 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. I didn't think my instincts were worth much. But with time although we will never forget, I know we will be ok again. We had the baby cremated. Your mind has closed to the possibility that there could be anything wrong. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. You have rejected additional cookies. The baby was very, very small. 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. It felt like a lifetime to reach our 12-week-scan. So I lay on the bed and my partner sat next to me. But they didn't. She endured many agonising rounds of scans and tests, and unfortunately met with some unhelpful attitudes from some healthcare professionals. After she had taken all the measurements, the sonographer told us that she was concerned with the length of the baby's limbs in relation to the head. And I'd been on the internet looking up all sorts of things and everything was so negative, it was very depressing, because I thought, 'Well, maybe they've made a mistake, or maybe it's something they can fix, I don't know'. The rarest scenario is that the baby is severely ill and choices will need to be made. All my instincts were to protect my belly, yet here I was allowing someone to stick a huge needle into it. Fine, go on my own. So once again we were right back down, really no, really not knowing what to expect. Yeah, yeah. We left for home feeling completely numb. As though I went power mad for a week, killing my innocent unborn child, and now I am tainted for ever. 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 . By 7pm, I still hadn't delivered the baby. And it's like, I really wanted to see it and I didn't, and it was it was very mixed. Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned. You will then be asked to raise your top to your chest and lower your skirt or trousers to your hips. The nursery I had selected for our two-year-old son; my maternity leave; the bunk beds; the summer holiday suitable for a newborn baby. Our nightmare began when I went for my 20-week scan. Next most likely (but actually in the minority) they identify something which whilst not 100% healthy is treatable. But my brain had been given a train of thought that was impossible to stop. . On the next shift, the new midwife asked us again. I am a darker, harder version of myself. Again, no notes can have been written down because the midwife asked the same question. And nothing prepares you at all. We felt as if we were in limbo. For instance a couple who knew their baby was 'on the small size' were told he was fine at the 18-20 week scan, but discovered at 32 weeks that he had microcephaly. And this baby sort of floated, and occasionally there was a slight movement, but it was very you could almost see that he was really poorly just from looking at the screen. I had no issues at my 20wk scan with DD - and neither did any of my antenatal group (9 mums). Intellectually, I knew this was not the case. No, you couldn't see there was anything wrong. I think what everyone is saying is that most likely outcome is that there are no problems at all. It was over. I faced another internal scan where I began to feel helpless and alone. 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. At first, I still had to deal with the physical implications of having given birth. Smiling at myself and picturing me and Sam becoming parents. It seemed inconceivable that we would not be having a baby in May. Except for the persistent, nagging doubts. We just couldn't use the words. And the local hospital wanted to send us off to the regional hospital to actually confirm that, and were not really prepared to say at that time that there was something very seriously wrong. Instinctively, did it feel right? Many described how sonographers and doctors were very restrained and didn't speak at all until they had analysed all the baby's details. As two youngest siblings, we were both permanently stuck in the irresponsible, childish role. And I know I can't hurry up the process of grieving. Which is what I'd seen. Just that really! He started to scan me with a cold expression, then told me, "it didn't look good" and that "my womb looked raggedy". Rather sharply, my partner tried to explain. News stories, speeches, letters and notices, Reports, analysis and official statistics, Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports. I felt the dread run through me. 17/12/2020 17:13. It's part of our family. It was horrible. factor is very strong. This scan takes place between 18 weeks and 20 weeks 6 days of pregnancy and is commonly called the 20-week scan. So he was about two weeks smaller than what he should have been. This short video explains screening for 11 physical conditions in pregnancy. I've still had no cramps or bleeding so fingers crossed everything is ok I just couldn't believe I fell down the stairs, I can't remember the last time I ever did that! Specialist scans She didn't want to see the baby. Living in this world must be unbearable for them. 'Yes, if that's okay with you,' kind of thing, like you do. The first midwife seemed to understand what we were trying to say, and said she would ask the doctor to come and talk to us. For many other women, the 18-20 week scan was the point at which they discovered the baby had serious problems. But that was too easy. My partner went out with him, wanting to see him. But it's bloody hard being miserable the whole time. Not marginalised into being a victim. What would we like to do with the body? Everywhere you look, there are happy, fat, smug pregnant women. Wed like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. The scan was inconclusive, but the size of my little bump was measuring a lot smaller than it should have for 10 weeks. Then, three days later, I would go to the labour ward - the ward I had been expecting to visit in two and a half months. I had to stop myself from yanking out the needle. Looked exactly like our two year old as a baby. We didn't name him. Wishing to be anywhere, but here being told the same agonising truth over and . My son's congenital heart defect was detected at the 20 week scan and he had 2 other markers, no . Could you tell? So choroid plexus cysts on their own, no problem, but if there's something else wrong, then that's a problem. I couldn't really believe what they were saying. And I can, the words that the scanning member of staff used, "Everything's fine", will stay with me forever. During the examination, sonographers need to keep the screen in a position that gives them a good view of your baby. The consultant at the time wasn't really that interested in that imagery. At which point they turned round and said, 'Well, there is something very seriously wrong with the baby, we don't know exactly what, but you do need to have a more in-depth scan at your regional hospital to find out the detail'. And before they gave me any of the results she asked a colleague to come and told me she wanted to check something, with a colleague, and by then I was getting very concerned because I'd never had that happen before. Try to relax and take it easy. We don't know, but it's not looking good'. Some hospitals do offer earlier anomaly scans of the baby, but they will not show as much detail as scans performed between 18 and 20weeks. Emma was 20 weeks' pregnant when a routine scan revealed that the baby she was expecting had Down's syndrome and heart problems. For example, you may be offered further tests that have a risk of miscarriage. Dont include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. I was sat on the sofa working, my son was at nursery and my partner was in the bath. It was all going wrong and I wanted to get as far away from the hospital as possible. He had to come to the decision by himself. So we went back the day after Boxing Day, the 27th, and the consultant greeted us, which made my alarm bells go, and she started scanning us and I think her lines were, 'What concerns me about this baby is that they've got a diaphragmatic hernia, which has meant that part of the stomach of the baby was in its chest cavity.'. The screen may be directly facing them or at an angle. But it is a soft marker for Edwards' syndrome. Back on the EPU unit, a doctor organised for me to be admitted into the ward, to take the medical management under supervision as the sac was now to big for me to safely miscarry on my own at home. We use some essential cookies to make this website work. My heart goes out to you OP. Sometimes a post mortem was needed to confirm the 20-week diagnosis to see if the baby had inherited a genetic problem (such as Fowler syndrome - see '. I just want to be normal again. My belly was growing and I was feeling great. I popped out from work, telling my boss I'd be back in half an hour. But on, in the middle of March, 10th March it was, we had a 20 week scan. It was real. This does not mean there is anything to worry about. And I, my husband and I both ran our own business at the time so we were desperate to get back and do some work, and things were going really well, so.. Next most likely is that baby doesn't co-operate and they can't see some parts of anatomy and call you back 2 weeks later just because they couldn't see (i had this but because twin pregnancy I was due to be scanned 2 weeks later anyway). 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? Thanks girls, it's amazing how protected our babies are in there isn't it?! Limitations of the 18-20 week scan And also what the prognosis would mean for our two year old: now a very happy child, he would have a completely different childhood with such an ill sibling. When he came back, he agreed on a termination. I was experiencing some light bleeding for the past few days. Had 34wk scan last week and all is well - of all the babies found to have a two vessel cord, was told less than 6% experience any growth issues etc. 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 I trusted him. Christmas came and went in a blur of emotion, it felt so wrong to be celebrating when we were in such turmoil. It can be such a shock so do whatever you need to feel better. 13/12/2020 20:45. And she said that, you know, as the, if the baby did develop further there would probably be other problems with internal organs that weren't really that visible at that stage.

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