Level 2 ultrasound (x-posted) updated

JessMitch · #1 September 27th, 2010, 09:18 AM

So at my appt on Thursday my doctor said that they didn't get a good enough view of the heart and they want me to go for a level 2 ultrasound. When i made the appt the lady told me they will go over everything with me during the appt (which is tomorrow) but now i'm like super nervous that something is wrong. I mean, the heart is beating so I know the baby is okay in the general scheme of things. But of course i went out and googled and just saw stuff about down syndrome and heart defects and genetic disesases. ANyone else getting/have one of these? Any BTDT mommies? Anything to ease my anxiety would be great!

Update: Everything is fine!!! Phew!!!!!!!! I was nervous at first because the u/s lady was like, okay, you are here because they saw a bright spot on the heart?? I was like, no they just said they needed a better look at the heart. They never mentioned a spot to me so who knows?! However, both the u/s lady and the doctor confirmed that everything looks fine! Thanks for everyone's kind words of encouragement! It really helped calm me down!

CandaceDianne · #2 September 27th, 2010, 10:06 AM

I had to get another regular u/s done because they did not get good pictures of the heart they first time. Did they indicate if they were concerned? I bet they just want to make sure everything is fine and make sure they get the pictures they need this time around. I knew everything was fine because I actually saw it and the tech even showed me the 4 chambers. I am sure everything is fine.

MommyBeth · #3 September 27th, 2010, 10:08 AM

I'm not sure about the Level 2 ultrasound, but I had to go back for another ultrasound. We could not get munchkin to wake-up and move so they could see her heart. Also I was 22 weeks at the first one, and 26 weeks at the second. They are probably just checking to make the heart is developed normally. So I would try not to stress to much!

jensma · #4 September 27th, 2010, 10:10 AM

My boss had to get a couple of Level 2s b/c her DH has a heart condition but other than that I'd say they probably just wanted to get better pics. Was she cooperative?? Maybe she just wasn't in a good position for those pics...I'm sure she's probably fine b/c surely they would have told you if they were looking for something.

Mrs.Paradise · #5 September 27th, 2010, 10:33 AM

I agree with the other girls... I think they would have told you if there was something wrong... HUGE SUPER DUPER FREAKING BIG FAT GIANT MONSTER HOOKER FANGBANGER

I know thats stressfull... hang in there mama!!!

mlyster · #6 September 27th, 2010, 11:45 AM

I will jump in here because I have had numerous ultrasounds for a number of different reasons.

First of all you are right there is a possibility they are checking for a "soft maker" for downs. However, they likely would have told you that was what they were looking at - they did when they discussed our soft marker for Trisomy 18. The other thing I will mention is that a soft marker does not mean your baby has downs - it just means there MIGHT be a higher risk of downs. If they saw a soft marker they would have discussed other tests to be done along with another ultrasound to determine the appropriate risk level.

Try not too worry too much - I know that is easier said than done. In all of my ultrasounds they were checking something that was only a minor concern (things that were within normal range but on a higher end of normal, etc) and each time I KNEW they were checking something of minor concern. I will also tell you that I have a friend who had 3 ultrasounds becuase they kept having trouble getting a good picture of all 4 chambers of the heart at the same time. There was no concern, nothing to be worried about the doctor just didn't like the image the ultrasound tech got.

JessMitch · #7 September 27th, 2010, 11:47 AM

Thanks girls! Baby was very active during the u/s so i'm hoping that's why... the doctor said not to be concerned and that it's normal but during the u/s the tech was showing us the heart...? So the fact that she didn't mention it then made me a little cautious you know? Then again, its not her place to tell me anything since she is an u/s'er only. I guess what really upset me was after googling things i called to confirm the appt and asked the nurse if i needed to do anything after the u/s... she said no that they would go over their findings with me. Which made me wonder... what findings???? you know? but she could have worded it differently than i am remembering now.

Stupid google.

Celry · #8 September 27th, 2010, 12:50 PM

The baby's heart may just be too small to see. I had 3 full diagnostic u/s during my pregnancy. The first was at 17 weeks, but the hearts were too small to see detail, so we had to go back later for another one. I had an u/s almost ever week of my pregnancy after the first trimester. There were plenty of times where they couldn't get the measurements of readings they needed from the girls hearts because they were moving or in a bad position for it. I hope that's all it is for you.

chrisam143 · #9 September 27th, 2010, 01:02 PM

As everyone else has mentioned, I'm sure they just need better photos, I've heard of that happening all the time. And the 2nd level u/s are usually so much better, so that is why they are going that route. I've had similar experiences as Michelle, so I agree with what she said about the soft markers, and that your doctor would have probably told you that is what they are looking for. With my baby's cyst (soft marker), they told us that is why we needed a 2nd level u/s, to look at it again and more clearly. Since the anatomy scan, I've had 4-5 u/s and they've all been level 2, which I've loved seeing since the photos are so much clearer. They even do the 3d shots the last few times, so never had to pay to get those done!

Try not to worry or google too much. I know easier said then done. Did you say your u/s appointment is tomorrow? If so, that is good that they got you in so soon. Can't wait to hear how it goes and hopefully you get some photos!

CandaceDianne · #10 September 27th, 2010, 01:55 PM

DONT GOOGLE!! If the doctor said not to worry, trust them!

SassyMama · #11 September 27th, 2010, 07:43 PM

I went through this experience. The technician said that Siera showed an echogenic heart and bowel - both are soft markers for Down's. They had me return for repeat ultrasounds and pretty much just kept a close eye on me. Siera was born perfectly fine.

Some advice - avoid googling because your imagination is going to come up with the worst possible thing. I made the mistake of sitting online for the first few days afterwards, looking up every possible problem and I pretty much cried up until my next ultrasound. I'm sure your baby is perfectly fine

Pebblesbuddy · #12 September 28th, 2010, 01:06 PM

Phew glad the little one is okay! And google is the devil. hahaha.

JuiceF · #13 September 28th, 2010, 04:15 PM

Hey Jess, I am so glad everything is ok with little bean.

And everyone is right no googling!!

JustLiz · #14 September 28th, 2010, 05:44 PM

What a cute bean! So happy for you! My u/s is in a couple of weeks.

AlexasMommy · #15 September 28th, 2010, 09:33 PM

I just went through the same thing not to long ago. They found an echogenic focus on the heart and wanted me to go have a level 2 ultrasound. I looked into it and found out that it is very normal for them to find these and that most of the time the baby is fine. I didn't have the level 2 done because they wanted over 900 for it. They did another us at my docs office a few weeks later and everything was fine. I have found out through reading that this is common and that they just see so much more now with the technology. Glad to hear that everything is fine for your baby.