I went along with Marcia for her ultra-sound this morning. This was a follow up to some tests that were done a few weeks back. These tests came back showing that levels were off. Sometimes that means that the baby could be born with genetic defects, most common being Downs syndrome. We were told that the chances were slim, but they present all the information to the parents. Also offered is an amniocentesis. This would give us a definite answer.
We decided against the amnio since it includes a risk of miscarriage and our odds were low. And we figured it didn’t matter whether we knew now or not. There was nothing we could do now to change it. But still we wondered what the ultra-sound would show.
The ultra-sound went very well with one blemish. The baby has two cysts on the tissue that secretes fluid around the brain. So these are not on the brain itself. These cysts are signs of another genetic disorder that I can’t remember the name of, but are a defect on the 18th chromosome. But these cysts sometimes show up on perfectly healthy babies early in the pregnancy and have a habit of disappearing by the 26th week. Given that all his organs checked out normal, and some signs even showed the exact opposite of genetic defects, the doctor believes that it is the other case, and that they will go away soon. A follow up ultra-sound was scheduled though.
The signs that showed the exact opposite were his leg bones and his heart. The leg bones for some reason are stunted in growth even in the womb with Down’s and this 18th chromosome defect. And Nigel’s leg bones measured even longer then a baby at 19 to 20 weeks (of course there is a margin of error here). As for his heart rate, it is just about perfect for a baby at 19 to 20 weeks. It was 153, and the “good” window is 120 to 180.
So Marcia and I are not worried. Sure, we hope that the 26 week ultra-sound will completely put to rest any fears that still might linger in the corner of our minds. But with the information that the doctor gave us, and the history of births with these cysts, we feel pretty good that Nigel will be a healthy baby.
[EDIT]:
Almost forgot! The ultra-sound tech agreed that the baby appears to be a Nigel and not a Becca!
July 28th, 2005 at 9:07 pm
well we hope everything goes good for you guys and nigel. we went for our 12 week appt yesterday and heard jordan heart beat for the first time it was amazing. it was in the 180 which she said was good. we should no what it is in the next 6-8 weeks. but let ou no if you find anything else out
July 29th, 2005 at 4:40 am
Scott, I’m positive that everything will be fine. I think that every expectant parent goes through the same doubts and fears for their baby. Nigel will be just fine!
Smooches!!
September 8th, 2005 at 10:35 am
[…] Marcia and I went to the follow-up ultra-sound that I talked about in an earlier POST. This was mostly to look at the cysts they had found 6 weeks ago. And as the doctor had reassured us would happen, the cysts have gone away. […]