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carlas- thank you for the information about the agar test. I was not aware of that. mamabunny - welcome hun, sorry you are here though:( Everyone here is feeling the same thing and can be a great support system. I hope you will find the stories on here comforting. They have worked for me when I am having one of my "bad" days. Eugenia - I think your thoughts of baby having DS are from being scared. I often have those days too when i wonder if it is fear or intuition. I really think it is fear because the docs have planted those exact seeds in our heads. Did you think that way before you found out about the focus? Gretchen and 1 moremom - I can't wait to hear your good news!!! wannalil1 - How exciting to get the 3D/4D u/s. Have a great time with that. I thought about doing that but haven't decided. I totally know what you mean about having a bad day and searching all the pregnancy boards. It can really be a bad thing for us to do in this frame of mind! So for me I had an u/s today and the baby is measuring 12 days ahead at 30 wks 3 days. The focus was still there but again everything else was measuring great. The tech made me feel better, even though it is a temporary feel better. I keep going to the same woman. She said she has seen this so many times and really it means nothing. I pray she is right. She feels so bad that my first pregnancy has so much worry attached to it.

Hello, I have spent the last few hours reading through all the posts on this thread - thank you as many have provided comfort and some peace of mind. I received a call from my dr. this morning letting me know that the results from my 20 week 'anatomical ultrasound' were all good EXCEPT, that the tech noticed a bright spot on the heart and both kidneys are slightly enlarged. She went on to say that these are both soft signs of DS. I hung up the phone, closed my office door and bawled my eyes out. I have been crying off and on all day. Has anyone else been diagonised with both of these? I will be 35 at the time of delivery and all other tests have been negative. (a combo u/s and blood test during first trimester came back at 1/42000 chance) I am awaiting an appointment with a geneticist. In the mean time, if anyone has anything to share, please do.

kimma - welcome to the board, although we all wish we weren't here. My lil on e only has the echogenic focus but I don't have any bloodwork numbers to go on because I skipped all that testing. I do have to say your numbers look great and that should be a lil bit of a comfort. First of all the echogenic focus is only a soft marker of DS and even that has been highly debated. It is also a normal varient in some pregnancies about 1 out of every 20 or 30 women will find this on their u/s. My doc and tech told me they see this all the time and not to worry about it. Granted I'm worrying my head off until the very end but at least this is actually more common than I originally thought and nearly all babies are born healthy. Are the scheduling you for a repeat or Level 2 u/s to check on the kidneys? Also just so you know in a lot of cases the echogenic focus does not go away. Even if it does it still doesn't change the risk. Mine is still there and I just had an u/s at 29 weeks. I hope you will find this group very supportive. We will ALL get through this and go onto to have healthy babies.

Hi Kimma, So sorry you are going through this. You said you read through the board messages – there seems to be a pattern in people’s reaction to the news. It’s all you think about for about a couple of weeks to a month and then you kind of get your equilibrium back. On another note, if I had 1/42000 odds, or even 1/4200, I’d be doing back flips around my house. Seriously! I had 1/931 first trimester screening odds (I’m 36, 37 at delivery) and then 2 markers were found – an EIF and a CPC/cyst on the brain. I still feel pretty good about my odds though. Please try not to let it consume you…harder said than done I know but try anyway. It gets better!

Hi , I found out at 20 weeks level 2 ultrasound that my baby had ecogenic focus and club feet went to a perinatologist and he said any 2 thinghs appearing togheter may be a sign for down syndrome I was then 22 weeks along did not want to terminate but i did want to know so i had an ammio and scared to death but preapred the results came back baby was ok and no ds at 39 weeks i went in for my schedule c section but no heartbeat was found my baby was stillorn jan 2 2009 cause od death twisting of umbilical cord ,baby was perfect beautiful 7lb5oz so all i can say to you is stillbirth in 3 trimester happens more often then you may know ,if i had a sonogram done and cheked for his cord i could have saved my baby. get all the test done

I keep checking this everyday to see if there is any news about Gretchen and 1 moremom! So excited to hear about their wonderful little ones arriving! Hurray for more babies!!!! To our new friends who have just recently joined us.......welcome! You'll find this place to be one of unity and strength! All of the women here are so fantastic and so supportive, you will find a lot of peace here, whether you learn to put this in the hands of God or you find another way to deal with what's happening. I for one am not religious (I do believe in something, just not sure what), however, I do find that I am more calm in talking with different doctors, research, numbers, etc. I guess I am more scientific than spiritual.....though that's not to say I haven't said my share of prayers :P I'm starting to get closer and closer to my own due date...only 5 weeks to go (aka, bring on the misery of third trimester pain! lol). It seriously feels like this little wee-nut keeps taking it's hand and running it along the inside of my hip bone! Talk about discomfort!!!! And I guess since I have already had one baby (my daughter, who will be three in 9 weeks), this baby is sitting really low already, therefore, that discomfort has come early along with a lot of pressure! I know......whine, whine, whine! lol! My poor husband :) Hope everyone is doing okay and Gretchen and 1 moremom......we're waiting.....very patiently!!! lol! Keeping you all in my thoughts! Diane

paolan - I am so sorry to hear about your little one! I know that words cannot describe the kind of pain that you are going through, and I won't even try to imagine it. I just wanted you to know that my thoughts are with you! Wow.....I honestly don't know what else to say!

Hey Ladies, I told you I would come back here and tell my story. My son, Levi, was born Saturday morning. He is perfectly healthy and a beautiful 8 pounds 1 ounce. He is perfect in every way. I was a nervous wreck when he came out, questioning everything they said. We came home today, one day early, because he and I were doing so well. This is also my third so they probably a__sumed I knew what I was doing. He has also been my easiest so far with everything, caught on to nursing right away like a pro. I could not have asked for a more perfect child. God has truly blessed me. Hang in there ladies, your time is coming. I thought mine would never get here. By the way, there were no extra tests or anything else they wanted to do to him. His normal pediatrician was off this weekend so I still have lots of questions for him this next week at his appt. I still worry about long term effects for the heart. I am a constant worrier. Does anyone know if there are any other effects on the heart later? I will continue to check back here. This site was a life saver for me and I can't wait to hear about all your perfect little ones. Gretchen

Gretchen - congrats on your healthy boy!!! I'm so happy for you. Thank you for coming back and posting your good news. I am sure you are super busy with your little one. From what I have read the echogenic focus has no impact on the heart whatsoever so there is no need to worry long term. I'm sure your pediatrician will tell you the same. Take care:) 1moremom - I hope you have delivered your healthy baby and are going to post soon.

Gretchen, Congratulations!!! I am so happy that you posted your wonderful news! As far as future heart problems...the sono tech that I saw told me that no one really knows what the spot is because after a baby is born they cant find it anymore. I guess that they would do a sonogram on the babys heart after birth to see if anything can be found in there. Let me know if the dr.'s do any other tests to make sure that everything is fine. I still have 15 weeks to go...sounds like an eternity right now. I cant wait to get a girly nursery done. I love my son but setting up his room was not quite the same as a girls room. Good luck to everyone here!!

Congrats Gretchen!!! I am so happy to see you post your good news!!! As for me, we had our 3D/4D sonogram on Saturday and I amy be biased but she looks perfect...Of course, I can not help but scrutinize every part I see, like is her nose too wide, etc?! But I guess that comes with the territory. I have 10 more weeks to go....YIKES! I am sure it will be here before I know it! 1more mom, I think you are next? Who is next in line to deliver, do we have March babies on board...Steffie I know you and I are close....

Gretchen - HURRAY!!!!!!!!! All that darn worrying for nothing! So happy for you and your little man! too bad you can't post a picture of the little guy! I'm due in 5 more weeks - March 14th. I think that 1moremom is due in the next couple of days! Hurray for babies!!!! I can't wait to hold my little one! I think my daughter (who will be almost 3) is going to look HUGE when I see her after delivery! I'm kind of sad about that part, but excited to see the little person and how my daughter is going to be a big sister! Keep the good news flowing :) It's snowing here again and I need some more happiness coming my way! Hope to hear from 1moremom soon! Sending good labout thoughts her way!

wanna lil - So glad you 3D/4D went awesome! I am sure your baby is perfect. I think the order is... 1moremom - anyday now ohhmuffin - March 14 myself and yourself - mid/end of April. I'm due the 26th but I'm wondering if I'll go early or not since the baby is measuring 12 days ahead right now. lipstick - end of May/begining of June?

Hi everyone! Gretchen- Congratulations on Levi!!! When I saw your name on the board and saw that there was a new post from you I was so eager and excited to read it. YEAH!!! Put a big smile on my face :) Paolan- I am so sorry to hear about your loss. It must be devastating and I hope you are doing ok. There are no words to express my sorrow for you but I do wish you and your family all the best. As for all the ladies that have been keeping me in your thoughts and keeping track of my due date, THANK YOU!! You all have made me feel so good and it really made my day to see how many of you are rooting for me and remembering me. I just got back from my doc appt and my girl has, once again, flipped and is now head down. I am starting to feel as if she will never come but it must be soon. Her due date is tomorrow but I have a feeling the date will pa__s me by and she will be a little longer, unfortunately. I can't wait to see her but for now she is content where she is. She looked good on her ultrasound and is measuring almost 8 lbs. Kimma I must say I agree with Texasmom in that your blood test results should give you a great measure of hope. Those scores are fabulous and I'm sure all is perfect with you and your baby. As a reference, my score, after EIF, is 1/80.... Ohmuffin- 5 weeks! getting close!! I love to read your posts and will definately continue to do so and check up on you and your baby. I look forward to hearing your take on the birth. You always have such a funny take on things, I like to see it. I especially loved your post about the baby using your bladder for a trampoline. You not only nailed it but had me and my husband rolling on the floor laughing!! Steffie and wannalil1- Thanks so much again for keeping me in your thoughts. It means so much!!! And lipstick I do agree that setting up a girls room is pretty fun. All girl clothes too are just so fabulous. WISHING YOU ALL A WONDERFUL DAY!!!!

Hi Ladies, A concerned husband here. We went for our second ultrasound last week. The thech/nurse said she saw a spot on the heart, and wanted the a__sociated doctor to look at it. He is a high risk specialist, one of the best in the area. He is a__sociated with the midwivery service, so it is not like they are sending us to him specially. The nurse said it was nothing to worry about, and 9 otu of 10 times it is normal, she just wanted it looked at. The 4D ultrasound is not for another 4 weeks though. She did not mention the link between the spot and DS. I found that out through some later searching. My wife it taking it all in stride, saying whatever happens, happens. I am freaking out though. I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and things like this make me nuts, it is all I can think about. We opted not to have the bloodwork done for testing at 14 weeks, I now wish we did. We figured we would be OK, as we are still fairly young, and have 2 other healty childern. My wife was 30 when she became pregnant, and just turned 31, in Jan. We called the nurse back after finding out that the spot can be a__sociated with DS. She said she has seen many others, and has never seen it mean anything. She says it does raise the risk, and there is a very slight chance of DS, but in her opinion, not enough to worry about. She could not get a good look at the babys face, as he kept putting his hands up in front, so she could not tell any facial features, but she did get good measurements of the head, kidneys, and femur. Those were all on the money for size. The one kidney was a little large at 4.1mm, but she said it is well within the normal range. She looked at the feet and the hands, did not measure them, but said they appeared long, and not short as would be expected with DS. She also said that the skin at the back of the neck was normal, and head shape was normal. They did not give us any odds for a DS, so I kind of figured up my own, see if I am figuring this right. A 30-31 year old has default odds of about 1/900. The spot on the heart, if it is the only indicator, basicaly doubles that rist to 1/450, or a 0.22% cance of the baby having DS. That means there is a 99.88% the baby will not have DS. Can somene verify i figured this correctly? Should I realy be this concerned? Do they give you all the information in these cases, or could they be hiding another indicator. The nurse a__sured us, this was the only thing found, and everything else looked good. After reading the stories here, it seems they are all good outcomes. Has anyone actually had a bad outcome here? Thanks, Andrew

Wannalili1- I actually went back to your past posts, and when I am reading your story and your feelings, its as though I'm reading mine. It makes me feel a lot better knowing I'm not the only one going through these mixed feelings. And another thing in common, it was also my husband that put his foot down and said no way on the amnio, he is so lax about it, sometimes it makes me angry, but the truth is I'm grateful because he's keeping me sane. Steffie92s- The thing is Steffie, I did have these feelings before, but just because when I got my first HCG results at 15dpo it was 1789 when the max should have been 500. Being a research freak that I am, I looked it up online and got 3 explanations: molar pregnancy (not), Multiple pregnancy (not) or DS (?), so when I got the news from the EIF I became freaked out. The DR said those # vary though, and that early HCG don't matter, its just a beta subunit of them or something, but still I can't help but worry and wonder if he should've picked up something before. Kimma- Welcome, sorry you have to join us, but let me tell you these past 2 weeks this group has been a great part of my support system, hang in there, we're all in this together. Gretchen- Congrats on a healthy Levi!!!! You just pt a huge smile on my face!!!! The best for you and your family!!!! Thanks for giving us hope!!!! All- Count me in after lipstick.... at the end of June.... of God I'm just 20 weeks... I can't believe I still have 20 more of this..... I now I'm being a big baby but I almost feel sorry for myself to have this situation in my first pregnancy.... not how I expected it... 1moremom- All the luck to you!!! 8 pounds seems great!!!!! You'll be the next one posting your good news!!!! 94- Welcome... and again sorry you have to be here. See, we're in the same situation just the other way around, my husband is super relaxed and I'm suffering from the worst anxiety, I can't even sleep.... but hey thats good that she's keeping you sane, imagine knut-jobs together!!! I am not sure what the risk for a 31 year old is, but my peri did tell me the risk it doubled once a marker is found, so your calculations should be about right, maybe one of the girls can help you with the exact risk number for 31yr old. I've read many stories on these forum whose Dr's don't even reduce the risk after the EIF, even my OBGYN said my Peri's take on splitting the risk in half was a little conservative for him... All- Keep the faith!!!!