Specialist appointment -- UPDATED w/ pic from today!!!

UPDATE - Monday Afternoon

I'm so happy to report that everything went VERY well today at Duke! First the tech called us in and she did about a 45-minute long sonogram where she took measurements of the baby from tons and tons of different angles! Their machine was so cool at this office that they even had a separate video feed up on the wall so I didn't have to crane my neck or anything lol.

The baby was all curled up in a little ball sleeping, but the tech was able to get most of the measurements she needed. At the end she needed to wake our little girl (she's still a girl!) up to get the last few measurements and she was poking and prodding my belly, wiggling me all around, to try to get the baby to move. I couldn't stop laughing -- it was like she was tickling me!

I was so surprised because she even took three 3-D pictures for us at this exam and printed them for us for fun! Here is our baby girl:



There are two other pictures, including one where the baby is holding her thumb to her chin with her fingers out, which is actually the sign for "mommy" which the doctor thought was really adorable.

So after the whole exam, the doctor came in to talk to us about what was happening with the white spot.

The white spot is still there on her heart, but the specialist told us that they only consider it a marker if the tech is able to take a picture of it under several conditions, including from more than one angle / "slice" axis, and on more than one setting on the machine. Also, the white spot has to be "as dense as bone" for it to be considered a marker for abnormalities. Apparently, our little girl's spot is NOT as dense (or white) as bone -- even I could tell that looking at it because it seemed more gray than white -- and it is not visible on more than one axis. So, the doctor there said not to worry about it at all.

It was such a relief to hear! As much as I wasn't too worried, there was still a feeling like will we have to worry that our child will not be happy or healthy from the start, and we feel so much more secure now about everything.

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone for our thoughts and wishes and concern! I'm so happy to be going through this journey to motherhood with you all!



**Original Post Below**

As I've mentioned, the tech saw a white spot on our little girl's heart during the anatomy scan last week, so my doctor's office has set me up with a perinatologist tomorrow at Duke for a follow-up in depth Level 2 scan and apparently genetic counseling. Sounds severe considering everything I've read about the white spot doesn't. DH isn't worried, and my dad who's in town isn't worried, but I'm a tiny bit uncomfortable with the whole thing.

I just want our baby to be ok and healthy so she can be born strong and happy and have a wonderful life.

I hope we get great news tomorrow at the appointment. I don't even really know what to expect. The paperwork my OB gave me said that the appointment should take 1-2 hours (!!!) and that I should bring a loved one (???) and expect an ultrasound and to speak with a doctor. The nurse at my office said not to do anything different than usual and just be on time.

I guess I'm just writing this to get it all out there and tell someone what's going on here. I know some women have told me they've seen spots before and it's been nothing, so I'm hoping I'll be able to say the same eventually.

I'll update tomorrow when we get home. I hope DH can leave work a little early and join us at the doctor. I don't want to be nervous but I feel nervous. Well, only a little bit.

Message edited 8/23/2010 4:50:56 PM.

Re: Specialist appointment tomorrow

I know its scary but just try and look at it as another opportunity to see your little girl.

Believe me, I have had my share of scares and now I try to take each appointment a little more relaxed.

Re: Specialist appointment tomorrow

Sandra keep that sunshine positive attitiude-everything will be fine!
And like Jess said, it's another chance to see your little girl.

BBM me after the appointment to let me know how it went (LIF is blocked at work unfortunately).

XOXOXO

Re: Specialist appointment tomorrow

Thanks Jen - I'll BBM you when I know more about what's going on. The appointment is at 1 so it'll be later in the afternoon.

My dad just went up to the guest room to go to bed and told me not to worry at all. He's a doctor so I'm going to trust what he says. (I'm hugging myself!)

Re: Specialist appointment tomorrow

Just wanted to add some good wishes that everything is fine. I agree. . stick with the positive spirit and try to stay calm as you can. I am sure your little girl will be perfect and healthy and please update us as soon as possible. Will def be thinking about you tomorrow and sending you lots of good energy!!!

Re: Specialist appointment tomorrow

I'm sure everything will be fine. I am sending back to you all of the positive energy you send everyone else! I will be thinking about you tomorrow and please keep us updated!

Re: Specialist appointment tomorrow

for great news tomorrow!

Re: Specialist appointment tomorrow

Good luck tomorrow!!!!

Re: Specialist appointment tomorrow

Good luck tomorrow!!

Re: Specialist appointment tomorrow

good luck, i will be thinking of you!

Re: Specialist appointment tomorrow

Good luck today! Everything will be fine!

Re: Specialist appointment tomorrow

Good luck! Im sure everything will be fine. It sounds like you have a great support system at home with DH and your dad (and with us of course )

Re: Specialist appointment tomorrow

They saw 2 white spots on this heart as well, but since my NT scan came back perfect, they are not concerned at all. 99% of the time it is just calcium deposits. Good luck!

Re: Specialist appointment tomorrow

Best of luck

Re: Specialist appointment tomorrow

Good luck today! Like I sai dI had 3 white spots and had to go to a fetal echo. It all ended up fine with no problems! I was nervous too even though I tried to tell myself it was nothing. In the end I was Happy I got to see the little guy again!

The appointment with the tech lasted about an hour...and she wouldn't tell us anything (she warned us from he start) then after we met with the doctor.

So good luck today! keep us posted!

Re: Specialist appointment tomorrow

Thank you so, so much everyone! I hope I have a good update for you later on! The appointment is this afternoon, so we're just hanging out until then. I'm going to try to run some errands for now and keep myself busy until it's time.

I love hearing the stories of those of you who have gone through this, so thank you so much! My OB said the same thing about how he sees this 4-5 times a month and has NEVER seen a baby born with problems. Those are odds I like!

Re: Specialist appointment tomorrow

I'm sure everything will be fine!

Re: Specialist appointment tomorrow

Good luck Sandra!

Re: Specialist appointment tomorrow

Sandra keep us posted and GOOODDDDD LUCKKK!! I'm sure all will be just fine..

Re: Specialist appointment tomorrow

Good luck I am sure everything will be fine hun. Keep us updated

Re: Specialist appointment tomorrow

best of luck, sandra!

Re: Specialist appointment tomorrow

Good luck!!! I'm sure you'll have great news for us later! Oh, and congrats on it being a GIRL!!! I forgot to post on that thread!

Re: Specialist appointment -- UPDATED w/ pic from today!!!

BUMP for update in original post

Re: Specialist appointment -- UPDATED w/ pic from today!!!

Sandra!!!!! So happy to hear everything went well! OMG the pic is adorable!!!!!!!! How cool that you got to see her for 45 minutes!!!!!!

Re: Specialist appointment -- UPDATED w/ pic from today!!!

great update- sounds like everything went perfectly- so glad!