36 3rd Preg and had my 18 week ultrasound, Questions?

[imjennigirl]

I had my 18 week ultrasound today, and it was not 100% ok.  My DR said that there was some "light spots" on the baby's heart, but growth and everything else seems on target.  I have to have a repeat ultrasound in a week because the tech was unable to see the baby's spine.  My little bugger (not sure if it is a boy or girl) is very uncooperative.  Anyway, the DR said that the spots can be a sign of Downs.  My AFP came back normal, but because of my age (36) and these light spots, he needed to bring this up.  He is not concerned because of the AFP, and is not ordering an amnio.  Has anyone else had this and any info would be great, I am of course thinking the worse case for everything.................

[mertleturtle]

You are not selfish for wanting more children!  I am 40 and pregnant with my fourth.  I also have thought about the selfishness aspect but I just feel like I have more love to give and we are not done yet.  We love our children and love being parents.  It's the best thing in life!!  I understand your concerns about your baby... My last child was delivered when I was 34.  So I never worried about all the issues that are raised for mature moms.  But now, I'm consumed with all the possibilities at my age.  Try to stay positive and make sure you complete all the requested tests/exams, etc.  Then you and your family can make the best decisions for you.  I'm sure all is well and we are just seeing more things coming up on u/s now, with the high tech equipment that we didn't have even 5-10 years ago!

I go for my first u/s in three days and hope to see a heartbeat (I am 6 weeks today).  I just misscarried back in June so I'm on pins and needles.

Baby dust to you!

[imjennigirl]

limpett, Thanks for this post.  I have a repeat ultrasound tomorrow, and I don't think I have slept since last Tuesday.  My husband and I are just hoping now for healthy baby.  All though my DR said not to worry, it’s really hard not to when you hear that there is a chance that you could have some issues.  Then of course you start to think the worst case, am I selfish for trying for a third at the age of  36?
prevett, what is the NT test?  I had the AFP, alpha fetal protein, which came back fine, so my DR was not concerned, but I am!

[prevatt77]

I had my ultrasound with Gavin at 17 weeks, they had me come back at 20 weeks because they told me they could see the heart very well and they could not see the lower part of his spine.  My perinatologist was not concerned at all, he told me that at 17/18 weeks it's hard to see everything.  However they never seen any spots, just said they could see it very well.  Well, just saying that scared me enough.  I'm sure everything is okay.  Did you have the NT test done?

Good luck and try not to worry to much (easier said then done).
Debbie

[limpet]

I recently posted about the same issue. It is called an echogenic focus (one) or in your case echogenic foci (more than one) I am 34 but will be 35 when I have the baby in January. My DH and I were totally freaked out, we need to have an fetal echocardiogram in two weeks in order for them to see the heart better. It all sounded so scary so I immediatly researched everything I could. We had a friend of ours that is an OB call us and tell us to stop worrying, they dont even want to consider it a soft marker anymore and it is VERY common 6% of all ultrasounds now show this due to the fact that they are so much more advanced. My AFP came back great and there are no other markers, was this all they saw on yours? My perinatologist told me that if I was 25 they wouldnt even look at it again. The American Heart Assoc has some  great info on this - it is a calcification in the heart and will affect nothing in the heart function and should go away before birth if not 99% are gone before age 5. Hope this helps I know how scared I was when I was told there was something abnormal.