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I went in for my 20-week ultrasound last night, and my doctor called back to tell me they discovered ecogenic foci on the baby's heart. I realize the risks for Down Syndrome are very low, but I can't help but worry. I didn't opt for any early fetal screening or bloodwork because I am young (24) and here is no history of any medical problems in my or my husband's family, so they can't easily rule out DS. My doctor had me call a perinatologist, and I am going in Monday morning for a high-level ultrasound. It's so hard not to be scared.

I just had to join this group and share my story with you all. My son was born in Sept of 02. The docs had me thinking he would be born with d/s or possibly even a worse genetic disorder. They thought this because of the spots on his heart, but he also had another indicator, he had a club foot. They had me convinced, they didn't even see a need for tests. The doc was horrible and I am so glad I found another one, I had the amnio just to calm my nerves. I was 6 months along and I am so glad I had the amnio, it showed no d/s. Yes he still had the club foot but we could deal with that, that was just a sm surgery and a few casts. Nothing compaired to d/s. I just needed to tell you all that you need to stay positive, while I don't think they intend to scare us in anyway they have to tell us everything. I would deffinelty recommend the amnio, you will be able to confirm that they are wrong and you will be able to enjoy the rest of your pregnancy. I read this entire string of posts and I am so happy for everyone that had the same happy outcome as I did, I just wish you all could have come to it with out all the stress and worry that was caused. For all you new posters, I hope you read everything these ladies have to say, I am sure it will make you feel better.

Hello Kathy1 That is such wonderful news, thank you for sharing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lp.becky, hang in there it is scarey but know you are not alone!!! You have age and only one marker on your side, we have so many good results from all the girls who have written back hold onto them it helps and is one of the only things that is getting me through. parkmaddie63- thank you for sharing your story, they told me my second baby was going to have a club foot when i needed to go for a ultrasound at 30 weeks, i worried sick that something else was wrong and he was born fine, not even a club foot, it seems the more babies i have the more problems i have. anyway thank you for your great news!

lp.becky - hang in there - you are young and from my research and chatting with others - US tech's are seeing on average 2-3 babies a day with echogenic foci. From what I understand it is a calcium deposit in the heart will either go away before the baby is born or shortly there after - in my research it had stated that this does not mean the baby will have cardiovascular issues or anything of that nature - believe me I know it is hard not to worry -because this baby means the world to you - but try to find comfort in all of our postings and what we have been through and what we have found out :)!! Smile :) ox

Hi All--Thanks for this Forum for being my refuge & comfort during my last 2 wks of waiting for my amnio., i'm 34 y/o & 20 wks & had a 1/70 risk for Down Syndrome for + AFP 1/150 risk plus u/s of echogenic heart focus, i got my amnio ( after weighing all the risk & benefit & also finding out the Doc is an expert in doing this procedure thus lessening the risk) last thursday (13th day) & my baby dtr. is negative for DS, my OB said not concern of the echogenic focus by itself since he sees that everyday ( was just concern initially on its relationship with my AFP & DS risk) SO now i can breath & enjoy my19 wks more of pregnancy , i also read The Tentative Pregnancy during that 12 days & its very mind opening on this things women have to go through with all this technology being offered to us, so Ladies pls. follow your heart in whatever decision u make & hope for the best !

Thats great news maraian. My bloodwork is at 1/46 and I didn't do the amnio so we sit and wait. we got that news on sept 18th. I will find out when she is born end of jan. It is hard isn't it! Anyhow, all my scans have had no markers, just the dumb bloodwork! Anyhow, thanks for keeping us all posted with great results!

thats great news marian73m thank you lovemy3- How are you doing? Does this seem like the longest month ever??? I have my days where i think it will be fine, then i have my days of total panic. When is your due date again? my is jan26th. I look forward to this part, to be over. I'm starting to get nervouse when i think about the labor not the actual pain funny enougth but the what if she is DS?? the reaction of the midwifes my husband etc. It is scarey to think about.I have tried to enjoy my pregnancy but its just so hard not to worry when i really dont know for sure. anyways thanks to all the updates they do give encouragement

Hi Guys! The hospital called yesterday and said the full AMNIO results were in and all is NORMAL!! It was so nice to hear that :). Other than stretching pains I've been feeling fine and continue to keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers! I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed 2008 - I'll continue to check the forum and see how it is going I can't wait to hear from those whose babies are due soon! Take Care - Kathy1

Thats great news kathy!!!!!! awesome!! Downunder...I am due jan 31st and am having a c-section. My last appt was good. Still no markers at all during my latest scan, so fingers crossed. One more month to go for both of us!

Hi Everyone! I am afraid this post is long overdue, but our little baby girl has kept us quite busy! I posted back in June when I was first informed of the "bright spot" on my baby's heart at my 19 week ultrasound. On November 5th, I gave birth to a healthy baby girl! She is perfect. This forum helped me so much and hearing all the positive stories, kept me feeling optimistic and helped to ease my worry a bit. Ladies, try to enjoy your pregnancies and don't stress too much. The more I learn, the more I found out how common these "bright spots" are and how small the chances are that your baby will have DS with no other markers. Breath deep and relax. You are all in my thoughts and prayers always. -Dina J.

This forum has helped me so much. Although I understand the doctors need to keep us informed the past few days have been terrifying and probably over nothing. I went for my 2nd U/S today and besides the echogenic foci there were no other symptoms. Our little girl looked so healthy. It seems that although they are trying to help us be prepared for any potential problems they do not have the research to confirm anything. The potential for a false positive is too common. The UNC website helped me alot. It said that only 3 of 11 kids with Downs has E.F. This is SOFT sign. Although modern medicine is a wonderful thing it seems in this case they need alot more research and not on my child. We opted out for the quad and amnio testing and are trusting God. There are so many variables as to whether she will be healthy. I put this in Gods hands as we have NO control over it. I pray that all of the women who are as terrified as I was find strength in knowing that there are so many of us out there experiencing the same thing and that through faith we will find strength.

I am currently 21 weeks pregnant and this thread has helped me a lot. I went for my level 2 us and found that my baby girl has an echogenic foci (eif). I was so upset because the dr. did nothing but spit risk numbers at me. I'm 32 and had a normal trimester screening but he said that now my risks increased because of this bright spot. He was offering to do an aminio right away and even started talking about abortion. I was apalled and so upset. I'm doing my own research and finding that this eif is a common varient in pregnancies and isn't worth all the worrying these doctors put us through. I opted out of the aminio because I feel God is in control and termination wasn't an option. I feel the more advanced technology become, the potential for unecessary stress increases. Hang in there everyone. This site has been very encouraging and I look forward to reading more positive outcomes including my own :)

Hi Everyone! I've been reading the updates and it is amazing how many of us are in the "same boat" "soft findings" I have another Dr. appt this week and a follow up US this week to check on the soft findings, measure the baby etc... I would like to say something about Amnio's though - I beleive there is nothing wrong with either getting or not getting an Amnio - I am a very christian person and believe and trust in God - however - God knows I am the kind of person that would have stressed the rest of my pregnancy with out knowing "what was going on" My husband and I had the amnio - and as I posted earlier the results were normal and we were of course overjoyed - there is risk in anything we do - I just feel for those women (& or couples) that are struggling with should I or should I not get this done - remember that most hospitals are doing these in great numbers everyday - and you have to do what is right for you and the baby you carry to create the least amount of stress that you can. Just because you decide to get an Amnio doesn't mean that you would necessarily consider an abortion - that was NEVER an option for us either - I just needed to know if there was anything chromosonal so that I could prepare (if I needed to) - start talking to parents with children with these handicaps, start research - cope and deal in my own way. I thank God every day for the miracle growing inside me - and it is truly a miracle because for years 12 my husband and I tried to have kids went through 3 IVF's which failed we were both diagnosed with infertility problems and were told by several experts that we would never concieve naturally. In 2004 we adopted our daughter and in 2007 we adopted our son - and we were so happy that we were a family now :). We never bothered to use BC because we thought we were both infertile - then low and behold on summer day this past summer - I found out I was pregnant!!! Me of all people - one of those people you here about that adopt then get pregnant which I always thought was a bunch of crazy stories!! But it was true - I am now 27 1/2 weeks along - I feel good - just big :). So what I am trying to say (can you tell the hormones have kicked in) is hang in there I am in believe in miracles because believe me God is on our side - and do what is truly right for YOU ;) and your baby of course oxoxox kathy1

What a great story Kathy..thats awesome. I am too also a worrier and happen to be a Christian. When my blood came back at 1/46 I was completely unhinged. We decided to not risk the amnio as there is a m/c rate even though very low. God has been so faithful to me, espeially interms of carrying the burden of this worry. I was very upset for the first 3 weeks after finding out back on Sept 18th and never thought I'd make it thru till the end of jan. but He has been true to His promises and has carried it all, I just had to let HIm. All and all I have enjoyed my pregancy and know that even if this child hsa DS, He will be there for that too! Thanks for sharing!

Thank God for all of you ladies and your stories : ) I am 32 years old and 20 weeks pregnant with twin girls. Today the Dr. found an echogenic foci on one of the babies hearts. We now have to make a decision whether or not to have an amnio. Everything else has come back perfect. I'm really worried about the risks of the amnio with twins. I couldn't imagine losing both of my babies!! Any ideas or information is greatly welcome!!! Thanks so much!!!

Hi everyone.. The more I continue to read this forum the more faithful I'm becoming.. Like you Kathy1, I was getting prepped to go through IVF because I was diagnosed with a fertility problem. It just so happens that the same month I was getting ready start treatment but then decided to delay it because of personal issues I got my pregnant on my own.. of course my husband having something to do with it :) So I put my trust in God in knowing everything will be okay. My personal OB-gyn told me having an aminio depends on your personality type.. I'm usually the type that has to know, but for some reason I'm comfortable in not doing the aminio in this situation.. I'm more apprehensive about how my body reacts to the procedure.. In conclusion, a think following your heart is the best decision you can make.. Happy New Year to everyone and may all our 2008 babies be healthy and normal :) God Bless