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Patty; I had that with my son, and it scared me to death!! However, I have a healthy 3 1/2 year old now. The doctor had me come back in 9 weeks after the first u/s and they were gone. Just pray about it, and God will lift the burden of worry from you.

Thank you Tracy....I really appreciate your reply. Prayer does sure help. Did you have similar results for Downs as well on your AFP, with no major markers on the US? Thanks!

My doctor just told me the same today. Did you take the blood test they offer at around 14 to 18 weeks? I did not and we too did not go for the amnio. I am 28 weeks now and the baby is growing at the proper rate, which they say is a good sign. With this marker and no other "real" signs, they siad my chances are 1/300 of having a Down baby. They will do another sono at 34 weeks to check the growth again. My doctor doesn't seem concerned. I am 34 years old.

Hi Linda, Yes I did the AFP blood test at 15.5 weeks. All my US's so far have been showing normal growth. I have a appmt on Tues. and another US when I am 28 weeks. Right now I am nearing 23 weeks. I appreciate your reply! Thanks for sharing! You will have to keep me posted!

I AM 20 WEEKS PREGANT. I HAD GONE TO THE DOCTOR ON JUNE 24TH TO HAVE A SONOGRAM AND WAS TOLD BY THE DOCTOR THAT MY BABY HAS CALCIUM DEPOSIT ON THE HEART STEM.BEFORE THE DOCTOR SAID ANYTHING TO ME HE SHOULD HAVE LOOKED AT MY FILE KNOWING I HAD JUST HAD THE DOWNS BLOODWORK DONE. THANK GOD MY BLOODWORK WAS PERFECT, AND THE RELIEF I HAD FELT KNOWING AT MY AGE OF 29 MY CANCES WERE 1/5000, WHICH IS AWESOME. IT HAS BEEN TOLD TO ME THAT CALCIUM DEPOSIT IN THE FETAL HEART IS VERY COMMON AND AS LONG AS BLOOD WORK IS DONE, AND THE RESULTS ARE GOOD YOUR CHANCES ARE EXTREMLY LOW AND EVENTUALLY THE CALCIUM GOES AWAY. I STILL WORRY AND PRAY TO GOD THAT I WILL HAVE A HEALTHY BABY BOY. ONCE SOMEONE TELLS YOU SOMETHING LIKE THAT IT STICKS IN YOUR MIND. I AM REASURRED THAT EVERYTHING IS PERFECT AND IM HAVING A HEALTHY BABY.

Thanks for posting this question. I just got a call from the genetic counselor that they found a calcium deposit on my unborn daughter's heart and they want to meet with me on Monday because of the increased risk for Downs Syndrome. They said the results of the AFP test were within normal range so I pray (and I've been praying alot lately) that this means my baby will not have DS. However, in speaking with my family to get more information about the history of DS in our family I found out that an aunt by marriage aborted a child she was pregnant with when she found out the baby had Down Syndrome. Now I am really worried. Should I do the amminocentesis if they ask me to do one? What are the risks involved with an amnio? I don't want to lose my baby even if she does have DS.

Ruthie an aunt by marriage is of no genetic link to yourself so downs syndrome in her family line does not affect yours it has to be a blood relative. The amnio carries a small risk of miscarriage. If you are wanting to keep your baby whatever the outcome I would personally not take the amnio because any risk is too much to me. I would just stick with the scans. If your AFP tests were in normal range then that is good. I pray the calcium deposit will go quickly.

Ladies, thanks for the posts....I have another ultrasound 7/27 to check the heart again. I too am praying that it has gone by then. I am too far along to do an amnio, but am just leaving our boy in God's hands. However I think he is going to be just fine, we will love him to pieces either way...

I had a genetic scan yesterday on my twins and found out both were boys. They also told me that one of them has a calcium deposit in his heart and increase fluid in his kidney. They called it 2 soft markers for Downs. I am 18 weeks and going back next week for another scan. They offered me Amnio however I don't feel it is worth the risk. I don't need to know, it will not change anything, I will love my sons no matter what. I am 21 years old and these are my first babies.

Hi Patty, I had the reverse results... a normal AFP but an abnormal ultrasound where they found the calcium deposit on my daughter's heart. I am 20 weeks along and 31 years old. I met with the genetic counselor a week ago and they said that because of the negative AFP that the chances of the baby having Down Syndrom were 1/1100. I decided to opt out of the amnio because we would keep the baby even if, despite these odds, the baby did have DS. I will pray for you and your baby Patty and I pray that you will keep me and my baby and all of the other awaiting mothers in this forum in your prayers as well. All we can do now is wait and pray.

Hi Ruth, Thanks for your reply and my prayers go out to you as well! I have my 28 week scan on Wed. and I hope the calcium deposit has disappeared by then. I have great fetal movement and have noticed my stomach really getting bigger, so I think all is well. I will let everyone know the results of the latest US on 7/27! Ruth it sounds like your little one should be just fine...and just because you have the calcium deposit does not make the scan abnormal by any means. (Were there any other markers to indicate an abnormal scan?) My Dr. told me that with the new high tech units they have now, they are seeing things on babies that they never saw years ago and realize some of these discoveries are very common and could have been there all along and no one knew. If your daughter had no other major markers on the scan, your chances sound extremely low on her having ds...Even hearing that one still gets concerned and worries some, but God has everything in control...It sure is great to get support from everyone out there going through this too!

I just said a prayer for you all...please say one for me as well. I went for a level 2 ultrasound today after having an abnormal AFP test (1/148 for downs, I'm 33, second child). We were feeling great during the U/S because our tech was great and he let us know all along what he was doing. The development of the baby looked great, everything in proportion. As he was going thru his checklist of markers we were feeling very incouraged...until he came to the heart where the dreaded "white spot" was found. My own heart sunk. He was very rea__suring and told us that he has seen this kind of thing a lot and not to worry to much. Then the doctor came in and reevaluated what he'd found and she also tried to ease my worry, even saying she'd "bet money" that all was ok, however my risk went from 1/148 to 1/78!!! I am scheduled for another U/S in a month and I just pray for that spot to be gone and for all else to be well. We refused the amnio based on the risks and our convictions about abortion, but I am not sure I am made of strong enough stuff to "wait it out" I am a ball of anxiety right now. I am just hoping that the pessimist in me will take a break and allow some positivity in...anyone have any positivity to offer?? Thanks.

Kelly, boy... do I know exactly what you are going through! My Dr. told me I had less than 1% of downs, 1/119 before the US. Then after the US, with the spot and because of my 'age' 37, I went to 1/80. Still, with no other markers, we opted out of Amnio and would not terminate either way. Your scenario sounds so much like mine! I am now 61/2 mos. I thought I was going to worry the enitire time, but I have not, thanks to God. I just left this in His hands, as there is nothing I can do anyway to change anything. I have been at peace with everything and with the way my stomach is growing, I honestly think our little guy is just fine. I bet your little one is too! So here are some thoughts for you....only get the Amnio if you want to know for sure and if the risks are worth it for you. If not, forgo it, and sit back and let your pregnancy take its course. The farther along you get, the stronger the peace. Especially when the baby starts to twist and turn and kick! Once you get that going, you will start to forget all the worries you had at this time, and will start looking forward to seeing your baby... I hope this helps you!! Gee, gals, I was the one who originally posted this darn topic. Strange huh?? :)

Thanks for your encouragement, Patty. It always makes it easier to hear from others who are dealing with what you are dealing with. I have felt movement, nothing really strong, but its still early on right now. I think I am feeling better about not getting the amnio. I couldnt do a thing with a bad result anyway. I am just going to continue to pray and hope. We go to a bible study/prayer group on Tuesdays, I know all my friends will get together and interceed in prayer on my baby's behalf. Please keep updating on this page, I'd love to get a chance to hear from someone going through the same thing.

Just for everyone who is worried here about echogenic foci, here's a great link. http://bbs.babycenter.com/board/pregnancy/prenatalhealth/6669/thread/95834

Well I just came back from the Dr. office and another US. The calic_m deposit is still there, but everything else looks great. He is now 2 lbs in the womb, and I can feel it!! Just wanted to give you all an update. I probably will not have another US unless they feel it is neccessary...Hope everyone is doing well!