20/23 week scan update........the worry never ends!!!!!!!!!

Announcement of pregnancy and birth following assisted reproductive treatment.
Dagny
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20/23 week scan update........the worry never ends!!!!!!!!!

Post by Dagny »

Hi Girls

We had our scan this afternoon and things have gone bad to worse.

My precious baby has a heart defect and may need immediate surgery at birth. Excuse me if I blether on but I am still in shock and am finding the news too much to take in at the moment.

It all started off fine with the baby performing to the camera and making us all laugh and as the sonographer carried on and checked the heart she found that the Aorta was very thin at 2.5mm and the Pulmaonary artery was very large at 5.8mm. They should both be 3.5mm approx. It is a condition called 'Coarctation' and the Sonographer had never seen it before. Apparently the Pulmaonary artery is working much harder to counteract what the Aorta isn't doing. We have an appointment at Kings in London tomorrow with a Paediatric Cardiologist. We will find out more then.

It's amazing how quickly a rug can be pulled out from under you.

I was so hoping to get this scan out of the way and get on with enjoying the rest of the pregnancy. I feel I still won't be able to go out and buy things now with the same excitement knowing that my baby might not ever wear the outfits or sleep in the cot etc, etc. Call me a pessimist but there you go. David is feeling numb and doesn't really know what to say but is trying to point out all the positives but I am just so depressed. I don't want my baby to be cut into as soon as it arrives. They are so small and helpless and it is breaking my heart to think that this is a possibility. I expect it will have to be a c-section now too and it won't be at Redhill but at Kings or St Georges where they have the equipment to deal with whatever is needed.

I am sorry girls to be so negative. I suppose I needed to write this all down and get it out.

I think tonight will be one of the longest. Hope you are all keeping well.

Love Dagny xx :(
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Jules R
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Post by Jules R »

Oh Dagny, what a shock for you both.

We had our treatment and our Nuchal scan at King's and you'll definitely be in the best place going there - they have world renowned experts.

I'm sure that you're little one is a fighter, especially after all that he/she has been through already.

I can understand completely what you're saying about buying stuff. Should you feel that you can't bring yourself to buy anything, we have things like a cot, car seat etc that you're welcome to have when you need them.

I hope that the consultant tomorrow can reassure you. I'm thinking of you; take care of yourself.

Love Jules
TTC 5 years. Daniel & Charlotte born 22.03.02, 1st ICSI treatment. TTC for 4 further years. 2nd ICSI cycle abandoned, 3rd cycle BFN. Looking forward to being a happy family of 4.
Dawn V
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Post by Dawn V »

Dagny

I'm so sorry to read your post. I can't imagine what an unbelievable shock this must be for you & dh.
Like Jules says your little one is a fighter and you are too. I really hope the specialist tomorrow will be able to reassure you about things.
Will be thinking of you all tomorrow.
Take care
Much love Dawn
xxxx
Nikola
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Post by Nikola »

Oh Dagny, this is really terrible news. I'm so sorry. I was thinking of you yesterday afternoon and wondered why you hadn't posted.

You must try to stay positive and strong, your baby is going to need you to be, now more than ever. It is essential that you maintain your healthy diet and lifestyle (and lots of rest) so that the baby is really strong when its born.

You told me not to worry about having to have a c-section, and so I'll say the same to you! When you get your head round it, it doesn't seem as daunting, I promise.

Jules is right, its a good thing that you have the baby at Kings where they have the BEST medical experts you can possibly wish for on hand to help you.

This is just so unfair. Why can't we all be allowed just a little bit of happiness! We go through so much to get pregnant and then to have such a traumatic pregnancy is really unfair. But you must remember how poorly you were earlier and its so important you keep healthy from now till the end.

Go and see what the specialists say today and hopefully they will be able to reassure you and make you feel a little less anxious about what will happen when the baby is born.

Thinking of you and here for you when you get back!!

love nikola.xxxxxxxxxxxx
SJ BROWN
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Post by SJ BROWN »

Hi Dagny
just popped over this side to see what antics the old SCBs were getting up to and I have just seen your news.......

You have been so supportive to everybody and I am just so gutted for you and DH...........I can feel the tears welling as I read your post......

I really believe you to be a strong person and as Nikola says you need to keep up your strength and be strong for your baby...........
You have been through so much to get here and I am sure your baby knows this and will not let you down....if he/she is anything like his/her mum I am sure he/she will be strong and tackle any hurdles thrown his/her way................

Its amazing what the drs can do these days and it sounds like your hospital is the bees knees.........
Take care & try and stay positivre
will be thinking of you....Sarahxxx
Juliana
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Post by Juliana »

Oh Dagny, I cannot tell you how sorry I am to read this. What a blow for you, must seem tlike another mountain to climb, another fight when you were just coming out of the previous struggles. I feel so sad for you! It must seem like one of those things from which one never recovers but I know you will find some strength to fight for you and your baby. And nowadays they are so good with correcting such defects I am sure there is a good chance the baby will get through it and recover and all can end well. even here in the netherlands I watched a documentary about Kings and really they seem to have wonderful doctors, maybe the best experts in the world. they should be able to give your baby the best care possible. but my heart goes out to you, it must be such a struggle to recover and not feel depressed about it. You have all my support!
love,
juliana
Tracey S
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Post by Tracey S »

Dagny

I just feel for you - I am so sorry. As you know I have a thing about 20 week scans and not just for me - was on tender hooks for you. I just can't help you and wish I could - I have a pretty good understanding of where you are after what I went though but am not in the same place as nature took my decision away.
You are in the best hands and they do some amazing things these days. See what they say first and what the prognosis is. I am sure like Jules says if this baby is a chip off the old block it will fight on and you will look back on this with immense pride and satisfaction.
My thoughts and prayers are with you - in the meantime please take very special care and look after yourself - for all your sakes
Love
Tracey
xxx
ttc 9 years. 38 yrs old, dh 8 hrs younger!First IVF in Aug 2002 and had ectopic.2nd IVF neg.3rd FET and negative.4th FET and positive but sadly lost our little boy at 20 weeks.5th FET and Alice Isobel and Emily Charlotte born 5th Aug 2004!
helenlouise
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Post by helenlouise »

I'm so sorry that you didn't have the scan news you hoped for and deserved. You still have your precious baby and things can be put right. My heart really goes out to you.
helen
alisonn
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Post by alisonn »

Dagny, im so sorry hear your news, i hope your appointment went
well today, hopefully the consultant explained everything to you,
and u now have an understanding of this condition
as the girls have said kings are the best, and both u and your baby
are fighters to have got this far !!!!.
alisonnxx
vickib
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Post by vickib »

Dagny

I was so sorry to read your news, you have been through so much already. You must stay strong and look after yourself, like you this baby is a fighter and your in excellent hands at Kings.

Thinking of you


Vicki X
phil
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Post by phil »

dagny, i am so, so sorry to hear what's happening, it must be really dreadful for you both.

as others have said, you and your baby will be in excellent hands to get the very best care and treatment. i don't know st georges but i do know kings. a friends was a consultant there. it is excellent and very leading edge.

the three of you are in my prayers.

phil x
MichelleA
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Post by MichelleA »

Hi Dagny
I'm so sorry to read your news. I can't imagine what a fright it has given you and dh. I know you know this, but the hospitals can really perform miracles (just look at us IVFers) and although this is no consolation whatsoever you will be in the best hands and Kings and they will do everything for your baby boy. I hope that your appointment went well yesterday and I'm sending you all my love and positive thoughts.
Love, Michelle xxxx
Our darling son Jake was born in October 2004 on our 3rd IVF attempt. I have PCOS. We're now trying again naturally, before embarking on our next FET IVF possibly late 2005... so watch this space!!!
Lisa Ch
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Post by Lisa Ch »

Hi Dagny

sorry to read your post, like all the girls have said before I hope and pray that everything is okay. Get as much information as you can so that you can at least be a bit prepared for what the Doctors will be saying.
You and your baby are in excellent hands and you are both tough cookies, the ride hasn't been easy but I hope the end result is everything you wish for.

Take care of yourself, dh and baby
Love Lisa xx
Helen Reid
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Post by Helen Reid »

Hi Dagny

I am sorry you had this bad news at your scan but you are a fighter and so is your baby and everything will be fine. They can do so much now for these kind of conditions. I hope at some time you will be able to enjoy your pregnancy again.

Take care of yourselves and stay strong

Helen
bubblymichelle
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Post by bubblymichelle »

Hi Dagny,

I know I don't get chance to come online much these days but I just want to say how sorry I am to read your post about your baby. You have to stay positive because you have never been a negative person, its amazing what they can do these days. I know its hard but your precious baby will be fine.

Love
Shell.
xx
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