10 Weeks Pregnant and Scared Due to an Abnormal Ultrasound

Two friends come to mind, the first had the same ultra-sound and when the baby was born, he was fine. At the ultra-sound, they are only looking at a physical characteristic that is typical in down's babies. In this case, the doctor thought it was nothing because the mom was built a certain way and thought that the baby was built the same way with a thicker back of the neck thing.

However, another friend has a down toddler. He is the sweetest thing. I always thought knowing before the birth is just wasted energy and didn't get any of the tests myself. However, after their experience I now know that it's important for the medical personnel to be prepared for a down's birth.

Good luck with the ultra-sound. My advice would be to not stress too much, that only the aminio can tell positively. Everything else is only an educated guess.

I had a similar scare with my 11th child. They found abnormalities in his kidneys and scared nme to death. I really feel for you. For me I decided it didn't matter either way because I loved my child and would not abort reguardless so I had to leave it in God's hands. I think I struggled more than at most any other time in my life. We all just pray our children will be healthy and it is an adjustment when we find out they may not be. Every child is a gift and a lessing in his or her own way for whatever time we are given them! I hope this is of some encouragement to you. In my case everything turned out fine and her outgrew his condition and wasn't a problem at birth. Your outcome may not be the same but just keep in mind they are all gifts and blessings. My husbands sister is downs and she is a gift beyond words especially to her mother who was widowed a few years ago. Every situation is different but ask people who do have special needs children and they will tell you they are the most joyous children and true gifts to everyone they come in contact with. I feel for you and will be thinking and praying for you!

Sincerely,
K. B

I agree with everyone. Ultrasounds can be wrong. They are a great tool, but not perfect. If your little one does have Down syndrome, you will be blessed beyond measure. We adopted our beloved daughter at birth as her birth parents did not feel they could handle all the special needs that go along with Down syndrome. She has been our great joy and has brought laughter and light into our home. Feel free to email me off list if you want to ask any questions about Down syndrome.
Always,
B. JM

They told me the same thing with my first son. But everything turned out fine. He is now 4 and perfectly healthy. I know it is scary, but try and hang in there. Good Luck!

I don't have any wisdom to share on this exact problem, but I did have an ultrasound nightmare with my little girl. They could NEVER find her heart beat with the doppler and had serious trouble getting the "4 chamber view". They sent me to 2 different specialists and started going on and on about how it was almost certain that there was something wrong with my daughter's heart. This was at 18-24 weeks. I ended up having SIX ultrasounds just for that problem and they never could see her heart properly. She was born and they had the whole NICU staff and everything there for us, and thankfully we didn't need them!! She is now 14 months old and doing terrific. As I said, no real help for your specific problem, but know that ultrasounds aren't fool-proof and that you should have all testing done to make sure you are prepared for whatever challenges you may face. Good luck, hang it there!!

Get the tests done and in the meantime, relax as best you can. Early ultrasounds aren't as accurate as we, and the medical field, would like. Everyone grows differently and not all techs read U/S's the same. So, relax.
My last pregnancy, the ultrasounds looked good (I was 38)and the AFP or Triple screen came up a little odd and Down's was a possibility. So, I had the amnio (which I didn't want, but knew I needed to know, as I would need education on whatever it might be before the baby was born) and I was highly stressed about it. However, everything went well and he is 10 and the joy of my life!
My god daughter has Downs and her parents didn't know until she was born. All her exams and AFP came back in normal rates and looked good. So, even with all the tests and screens things don't show up. She is 12 and doing great!
Every child is God's gift to us for however long He deems them to be with us. I've had 2 miscarriages and 1 baby died a few days after he was born, and while they were hard, there were reasons for each loss.
Please update us when you can on the outcome of the next tests and eventual birth!
God Bless and good luck
K. - mom of 2 here, 1 in heaven.

Hi S.! I know that it is extremely scary to be told something with such potential life changing ability, and then be told don't worry about it. However, I will share my experience during my 3rd pregnancy. It wasn't as early as yours, but at my ultra sound at 17 or 18 weeks, the tech got some abnormal measurements of the bones (leg and arm) from the ultrasound. Then, to top that off, they had performed the test for downs' syndrome (I had forgotten they did it). The test results came back saying that I had the same chance as a 43 year old woman of having a downs' baby. At the time, I was 23! I worried to the point of making myself sick. I had an amnio, although it took a week or more to get the appointment, and everything turned out fine.

Take their advice and see a specialist, but remember that they are mistaken more often than you think. I like to believe they would err on the side of caution to help parents make informed decisions. Just do your best not to worry, until you have proof that something is wrong.

You'll definitely be in my thoughts and prayers!

Take care!
Angie

I agree with Vikki, 10 weeks is pretty early for something like that to be seen properly. Was this ultra sound done regular (on top of the belly) or vagianl? If it was done regular, then I really would take the information with a grain of salt. Your baby right now is about the size of a kidney bean!! I was 8 weeks and have a vaginal one done due to spotting and my baby looked like a partially shapped blog on the picture!!

Here is a link to babycenter.com. If you aren't all ready signed up for emails, do so. You can get week by week fetal development. http://www.babycenter.com/fetal-development-images-10-weeks

Good luck! And Congrats!!
S.

everyone has given you such great advice that I will not repeat it all but instead just wish you all the best, send you a hundred hugs and the promise that you will be in my prayers! -Jess

Try not to worry right now. I know thats easier said than done! Sometimes all of our wonderful techs cause more harm than good. At ten weeks this could certainly mean nothing. At my first and only ultrasound at 20 weeks, the tech suggested that there may be a problem with the heart. It wasnt enough for a concern and I didnt let myself worry over a 'maybe'. I prayed everything would work out as it should and delivered at 41 weeks with a very healthy baby girl. 4 years later and no problems whatsoever. Just wait until you know you have something to worry about before doing it. Our thoughts are one of the main things that controls our outcome. I wish you the very best and pray for a very healthy baby for you:)

Yes, my sister in law did. She had to have an amnio to rule out chromosomal deffects. Everything turned out to be fine, luckily. I can't promise that yours will turn out fine but an amnio will let you know for sure so that you don't have to spend the entire pregnancy worrying. If they say they want to do one, go ahead and let them do it. Yes, there are risks involved with an amnio but the doctors doing them usually are very experienced and have done a lot of them. I think it is better to know one way or the other so that if something is wrong so that you can educate yourself and be prepared for it when the baby comes. Good luck and God Bless!

I have not dealt with the situation before and i know how nerve racking pregnancy can be....I wish the best to you and your family(including baby)...but i do know that if GOD brings you to it he can bring you through it.. he only puts on you what you can handle..even though at the time you dont feel that way... but think about hard time you have gotten through and how good it felt... say something is abnormal.. its still your baby.. and god gave him/her to you b/c he knew you would be the best for him/her... god bless you and feel free to talk anytime thats why we r here...all of us moms

hey S.,
my sister went through the exact same thing...and it was after a very late miscarriage, so she was being watched very carefully, and a nervous wreck. they told her that the nuchal fold was thicker than normal...and i'm happy to tell you that my neice, who is now 7, is perfect..so although i'd follow through with any tests they suggest just to be sure, it is definitely not a sure sign of anything wrong...good luck

Dear S.,
First of all try not to get overly worried about this because so many times these warnings turn out to be no real problem. I have heard of so many things like this through the years, from abnormal ultra sounds, blood work, etc, and in the end there was a perfectly normal baby. On the other hand I am a mother of a beautiful 18 year old daughter who has Down's Syndrome.She was my first born when I was only 19 years old. There were no warnings during pregnancy.I must tell you though, She is the light of my life and my family's. She has blessed sooo many people. She is truly an amazing creation( not a mistake) and so are all the other (special people) I have been priviledged to know. I just wanted to say a few words hopefully to encourage you. I will pray for you as well. May God bless you and your precious little baby.
Sincerely,
S.

Hey S., We had the exact same issue at the same time in our first pregnancy and it was totally fine. We went in for the higher resolution ultrasound and it came back with no problems. I know it's scary but apparently this is pretty common and usually turns out to not be an issue.
Good luck to you!

First of all that is a very hard call to make at 10 weeks. Second of all my AFP was abnormal when i was pregnant 10 yrs ago and i got all worked up worrying about down's and spinal issues and my son is great. sometimes in todays world we jump to too many conclucions. i see in the medical world everyday. don't stress. wait a couple of weeks. But by all means get it done to put your mind at ease .

I don't know it this is the same S. that i came by to help with her puppy but you have our prayers!!! I do not know anything about this type of thing but i do know a god that hears prayers!!! The best to you and yours!!!

M. T