Pregnancy Info HOME

I was 18 weeks when they found a white spot o my daughters heart. I panicked and didn't rest for days all I did was scour the internet. I learned of the Quad Screen test and immediately asked for it to be done. I was told statistically that my chance of a baby with Down's is 1/1000 and with the white spot it put me at 1/500. After the blood test results it should I was 1/5000 and with the white spot 1/2500 putting my baby at 99.96% of being totally fine. I am relieved as today I begin 20 weeks and look forward to a healthy baby in January.

My 24 year-old daughter had an ultrasound last week that showed the "white spot" on the left ventricle of her baby girl's heart. She has a level 2 ultrasound appointment tomorrow for follow-up. She already had the bloodwork done prior to the previous ultrasound and there were no concerns. Although waiting to be tested again to find out where to go from here is difficult, the time has allowed my daughter a chance to reflect and realize that, abnormalities or not, her little one will be perfect no matter what, that she loves her already, and that she is a blessing. I am praying for each of you, that you and your babies will be well and that you will have peace and joy in your pregnancy and upcoming births. God bless you.

Hi Everyone, I posted about 5 months ago regarding the EIF that was found in my son's heart during my 20 week ultrasound. After blood work, my odds were 1 in 1280 for DS and with the EIF finding, that cut those odds in half to 1 in 640. Despite my age (36 at the time of delivery) my doctors were not very concerned. In fact in later ultrasounds, the EIF was hardly seen anymore. I chose not to do the amnio and worried for the rest of my pregnancy... My son was born on August 21st (which is also my birthday). He was born without DS. Ironically, that should have been the last thing I should have been worried about. When I went into labor, I also had a placental abruption and we almost lost my little boy and I apparently was in danger of losing my life as well. By the grace of God, my doctor was able to deliver my little boy via emergency c-section and today 18 days later, he's wonderfully healthy and thriving without any further complications from his delivery. I know it's easier said than done but try not to worry. Enjoy your pregnancies and God bless!

Hi, I just had an ultrasound today I am 18 weeks and it showed that there was a spot on the babys heart like everyone else I have been an emotional wreck all day. I am so happy to have found this site!!! I am finding so much comfort in all of the happy endings. This is my fourth pregnancy and I have one child. Having children has been the hardest experiences I have ever gone through. We were so hoping to have one normal pregnancy and now it feels like the joy has been sucked out of this one too. 20 more weeks feel like an eternity to have to wonder if my baby girl will have DS or not. I am so glad to have found some comfort with this forum.

Hello- At my 18 week ultrasound, I was also delivered the news that my baby boy had a white spot on his heart. Everything else looked normal. I did not do any prenatal testing, and chose not to do an amnio or genetic counseling, even though I am 38 years old. I was anxious/worried when we first got the ultrasound results, but my doctor was not concerned and that put me at ease. I delivered a HEALTHY baby boy on 8/25! Just wanted to send encouragement to those still waiting. Try to enjoy your pregnancies!

I had an ultrasound at 20 weeks and my doctor informed me that I had partial placenta previa and that they found echogenic foci on the left ventracle of my daughter's heart. As you all know from experience, I'm a hot mess and very concerned. I will not do the amnio due to risks of miscarriage. I am currently 22 weeks and will be seing a Maternal Fetal Specialist next week. Until a few minutes ago my only concern was the echogenic foci (focus) but I just looked up about partial placenta previa and it can be dangerous because the placenta is covering the cervix which means that if it doesn't move on its own I'll have a C-cection (that's fine, i don't care about that) My concern is the fact that as the baby grows there will be bleeding and there is a possibility of the placenta errupting. It could be life threatening to me and my daughter, an emergency c-cection may have to be performed way before my due date. I just hope we can at least make it to my 36th weeks. All I know is that (though I hate the thought and the subject) I will be establishing a living Will just incase anything happens, I do have a 3 year old daughter and I have to make sure that all bases are covered. I trust that God will not allow anything bad to happen to us but just imagine how many people have died without expecting it and they never had anything prepared for the moment. (I guess i'm being a little too realistic so I'll stop, it hurts to just think something so awful) Eitherway ladies...pray for me and my daughter's health and I will do the same.

By the way, I just realized this forum says pregnant over 35....I'm only 25, but either way, I'm also experiencing the same thing as all of you.

Hi, Handrea I am also 25 and going through the same thing. I just joined the FB group and it has been helpful as well. But the stress of finding out about the spot has been overwhelming. When I was pregnant with my first I had a partial placenta previa and at 15 weeks I tore the placenta. That is how I found out I had it. I was on bed rest pretty much the rest of my pregnancy but the placenta did move and I had a perfectly healthy baby boy. And the placenta was not an issue at all. I think had I of know that the placenta was there I could have avoided the bleeding all together just by moving more carefully. You are going to be just fine :) But I am the same way. I like to have all my bases covered. Good luck and prayers.

Hi we also just received word that our baby has white marks (multiple marks; not sure on which side of the heart).... at the 20 week ultrasound. Our doctor rea__sured us we have "nothing" to worry about as all our other results were clear to this point. However he called with the results on a sunday afternoon the first indication that this was something to worry about! From my recent constant research (ranging from stalking online blogs to researching articles in medical journals) I've drawn the conclusion that there is no conclusive evidence that these marks indicate anything.... yet I still worry.... they appear in 30% of DS babies (but in 70% they don't), they appear in regular babies i believe it was 9% of the time (81% they don't), they appear 90% of the time as one mark in the left ventricle of the heart 3% of the time in the right 2% of the time in both - sometimes they are confused with tumors and cardiac issues that involve many more words I don't understand and have to google - what do all these numbers mean? Why after 15 years (this group started in 1995) does this issue require further research to provide conclusive evidence. Everything I read here seems positive that our baby will be "normal" but I have also become aware that our baby is ours and I remind myself and him/her (we don't know yet) that s/he is surrounded with strength and love, strength and love - i say it like a mantra to raise my negative worries and remind myself and baby that we will be fine elevating us to a positive place and peace of mind.... I find I am swinging between that blissfull place of peace and an endless fruitless internet search for answers... I think I will refine my internet time to this blog..... thanks and of course I will keep you all posted...... follow up ultra sound in 2 weeks time specific to heart - and baby is kicking strong - remember to take time to enjoy that feeling :)

correction on my above post - this group started in 2005

Hi. I'm sorry I have not been back on this post and just saw this message. My beautiful, "perfectly" healthy granddaughter was born 4 years ago. My daughter would not have gotten an abortion even if she felt something was wrong so we just toughed it out. Of course it made the pregnancy a stressful, sad and worrying time. I teased in the beginning because they have 3 boys and I wanted a granddaughter. When she delivered the baby my only question was "is everything OK" and it was. After we cried and thanked God, Of course you know what the next question was. Don't stress out and waste a time that should be an absolutely wonderful experience worrying. Stay positive and enjoy your pregnancy. Woman have had children for years and never had any of these tests. Stay away from the internet. Sometimes too much information is no good. Its like that long list of side affects that they give you with prescriptions. I think those tests are done (and overdone) because of so many law suits, doctors overprotect themselves. Be happy; stress and worry during a pregnancy is not healthy for the baby. Please enjoy this precious time in your life.

I am 17 weeks along with my first little baby (a boy) i am 27 yr/old and just also recieved the news that our baby has an ecogenic foci on lower left ventricle. I have spent the last three days on the internet driving myself mad wondering what could be wrong, and tomorrow have a level 2 ultrasound. Going from the internet to hear, makes me start to realize that regardless I love my baby and whatever life hands to me and my husband we will be able to handle. I am just so scared. Has anyone had a level 2? If so can they give you a definative answer as to what this issues may be?

Hi. I just called my daughter. She did have the level 2 ultrasound. Listen statistics are overwhelming. I posted above. My granddaughter is 4 and "perfectly" healthy and she had the same news. I believe she had 2 or 3 supposed markers so in that care the "odds" were greater against her or so they say. No the level 2 does NOT give a definitive answer. Although "sometimes" those tests prove correct the odds are greater in your favor that they are calcium spots etc. Having gone through this with my daughter I suggest that you enjoy your pregnancy, it should be a special time in your life. Stay away from the internet. I believe in staying positive and filling your heart and mind with love and positive feelings. Stress, worry and things like that are "definitely" not good for that little one so again I say enjoy this precious time in your life.

Thank you Concerned grandma, I am trying to manage my mental state, enjoy my pregnancy and let my faith guide me, since there is nothing I can do anyway!

Hi everyone - I am 35 years old, and pregnant with twin girls. I too had an ultrasound around 19 weeks that revealed that one of my babies has an EIF. My husband and I decided not to do any blood screening because everything I've read suggests that the screens are not very accurate for twin pregnancies. I've also opted not to do the amnio because they would want to test both babies and that would, in my opinion, make the whole procedure too risky. I'm very upset by the whole situation, and it's really put a cloud over my pregnancy, even though I know conceptually that the the chances that something is wrong with one baby are very low. I'm also frustrated because I'm considered "high risk" due to my age and therefore everything I'm reading on why an EIF is not very predictive of Down Syndrome does not necessarily apply to me because that information is geared towards "low risk" women (i.e., under 35). I'm just wondering if anyone else out there has gone through this situation with twins, and how did you get through the whole waiting process? I still have 15 weeks to go.

Twin Mama, I know I not having twins but I wanted to share my expericence with you, I too was diagnosed with EIF on my little guy, I freaked out for a good week until I say a specialist. Then sitting with them and learning that often times if the muscle that seperates the lower and upper heart ventricles is not thick enough the frequency of the ultrasound can reflect off of a cone shaped object that we all have in our hearts (its part of the anatomy/physiology) and cause this white mark on an ultrasound. I know this is not always the case, but I would recommend asking to see a neonatal cardiologist. Good luck I know everything will be ok! LEts all pray!