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Thanks so much rachelbg, Actually surprisingly.... I have felt better by reading on the internet. I got off of baby center for that reason.... all the negativity. (prior to finding out about this efi) It seems that this is more common and that with the US being so much better than they used to be... they are seeing more "anomalies" such as this. I just wish I could talk to my midwife and just talk to a counselor to set my mind at ease. AS I stated before the Dr and Tech didn't tell me, I felt, in the best way... and one telling me not to do amnio and the other one trying to schedule it then and there... well... that freaked me out. Anyway... I'm just waiting to hear from someone... and now editing a newborn shoot I did the other day. (I'm a photographer) I can't wait to take pictures of my little sweet pea. Thanks again. XOXOX

Hi Micha- Just wanted to say I was 38, risk for DS was at 1:80, all the same worries, fears, etc. My little girl just turned 2 and is perfectly healthy! I have never heard of anyone that had a DS baby when diagnosed with EIF. I did not have the amnio b/c the risk was too high, so glad I didn't. I know your little girl will be perfect. I also know it's hard for you to know that. My doc tried to push me in to an amnio right away and I feel it was just a money making thing. Try to enjoy and please continue to find comfort with all the ladies on here and FB.

Micha- Congrats on your little girl! I have a little growing in me as well (24 weeks!) and I completely understand what you are going through! I was a complete wreck for days after finding out about the EIF on our 20 week US. My recommendation for the amnio is to wait for 3-5 days to see how you feel. I was amazed at how my emotions really changed as the weeks pa__sed. I still think about it- I pray everyday for a healthy girl, but after reading everything I could find on the internet and journals, I am very confident she'll be okay. There is the most awesome article written by a radiologist (don't worry- it is not too over the top) you should read (I wrote a previous post describing it) that really helped me. i guess it depends on the type of person you are, but educating myself about it helped my worries. Also, I'm sorry to hear how they handled it- VERY inapproriate and that tech should have NEVER recommeded amnio if the OB didn't (they actually shouldn't be recommending anything). That is not her scope. period. If the OB didn't recommend it, you should feel good because if they had concerns, they would have. There is major liability in OB, so they would have recommeded the test if they thought you had a possibility of downs.

For the article, just google: "Obstrectical Sonography: the best way to terrify a pregnant woman" by Roy A. Filly, MD and it will come up!

Thanks lemon1! I read that article and i sent it to my husband right away. I want to write dr. Roy and ask him to look at my chart. lol Both my husband and I are feeling a bit better about it after reading all your stories. I have had a terrible migraine since yesterday and I just feel sick to my stomach on top of the worrying. I even called the Perinatal office again to have the Dr. call me so that I can talk to him. Still no call. Its really sad that I can't get the help or advice that I want. I know its friday, but come on. I just want to talk to someone that knows my history or has access to it so I can just be sure. I'll keep you all informed.... thanks again. Oh and if anyone wants to keep in touch you can find me on fb under michaelynn dreiling. I couldn't find the support group on fb but I messaged stephanie. Also can be contacted micha"at"michaelens.com thanks again..... xoxooxox ladies!

Ok Ladies, Great news! Funny that my Dr. still never called me back after several attempts today. But I decided to look up Dr. Roy Filly The one who wrote the article that a lemon1 and a few others suggested to read. I did not expect him to write me back... and as quickly as he did. What an amazing man. So anyway, I wanted to share with you the letter than he wrote to me. Remember I am 39, 20 weeks preggo, and all my other tests have been positive besides the one Egogenic Focus. So here it is. Thank you Dr.Filly. Dear Michaelynn, I am sorry to hear about all the anxiety this ultrasound finding has caused you. One of the problems that all women face who find themselves in your position is that once the words "Down syndrome" leave the lips of your physician, it is difficult to put them back. Of course, an amniocentesis will unambiguously answer the question about the Down syndrome. However, I, like your physician, do not recommend this as the best course of action from a medical perspective. Your age has some importance in your obstetrical care, but once you had the results of your biochemical testing (with regard to risk for the Down syndrome) that supplanted your "age-related" risk. Therefore, your risk became 1:2200 and not 1:77. Let us for the moment a__sume that the presence of the "bright spot" (this is known medically as an echogenic intracardiac focus) doubles your risk of having a fetus with the Down syndrome (I do not subscribe to this commonly used calculation, but others do). Then your risk would be 1:1100. Let's look at this differently. The population risk for the Down syndrome among pregnant women in the USA is approximately 1:800. Let us say that biochemical testing originally had shown that your risk was 1:1100 (instead of 1:2200). In other words, you, as a patient, had never heard the number 1:2200. At your next appointment with your obstetrician, he/she would have looked in your chart and announced that he/she had good news. Your risk for having a Down syndrome fetus was not only markedly reduced from your age-related risk level of 1:77, but was, in fact, much lower than the average risk of all pregnant women. How would you have felt at that moment? The answer is obvious. You would have felt GREAT! But, now, because your obstetrician tells you exactly the same information, but prefaces it by stating the your risk has doubled because of a "bright spot" in your fetus's heart, you are now in a panic. Please understand, your risk is LOW - very low. Also, if they forgot to tell you, there is absolutely no functional impairment of your fetus's heart from this finding. His/her heart will function normally. I cannot change the psychology of the human mind. You are stuck in a world that has been genetically set in the brain function of every pregnant human female. You doctor has changed your perception of the "health" of your pregnancy in a negative way. That was a mistake on his/her part. You should not suffer from that mistake. YOU HAVE A LOW RISK FOR A FETUS WITH DOWN SYNDROME. An amniocentesis is not warranted, but if that is the only way you can gain peace with your pregnancy, by all means have it. It is a very safe procedure. You don't need it, but it is not silly to want it if that will allow you to enjoy the remainder of your pregnancy. I hope what I have written helps you. Roy A. Filly, M.D.

Michaelynn, I don't usually post on forums...ok, I've NEVER posted on one. Your letter from Dr. Filly was very helpful, thank you for posting it. I too had a 20 week ultrasound in January and was told my baby had EIF. My NT testing and first trimester screen were normal, and I opted out of the 2nd trimester, mostly because I wouldn't do anything differently. I am 31 weeks now and have checked this forum every so often because I keep worrying about it. I just hope everything turns out ok, and I wish I didn't worry about it so much. Thanks to all the posts here, it has made me feel a lot better. I have stayed away from google though!

RachelK.... You are so welcome! I am starting to feel better... even though I am plagued with migraines and when I found out on Thursday I have had one since then. I'm starting to relax a bit especially after the email from this Dr. I can't believe my dr. treated me the way he did... 3 minute conversation and then rushed me out the door.. and not even in person but on the phone. Anyway.... the letter helped me.. this forum has helped me...and a support group on FB as well. I hope everything goes well for you... I am sure it will. Please keep us informed too. Contact me via micha"at"michaelens.com if you want. I would love to keep in contact with any of you dealing with this. It seems to me that it is a common problem and that most babies don't even get DS after they have been told about the Bright spot! Good luck and much love to you and your lil belly!!!

Micha- I can't believe he wrote you back!! That is soooo awesome of him! Thank you so much for posting that- I drank in every word. I promise you it will get better with each day. It has for me. Everytime I'd think about it, I'd say a prayer because it is so completely out of my hands and not fair to have dampened my pregnancy! This is such a special time between us and our babes- keep the faith and we'll be in touch!!

Hey everyone!!!! I want you all not to worry about the EFI if found on your 20 week U/S. We just had our baby girl and she is very health she did have the EFI at 20 weeks and we didnt not do any testing at all. Everyone told us not to worry and we really didnt. The only thing that would not "normal" was this EFI which after talking to so many moms this EFI thing might be more "normal" then not. Good Luck to all you and after your health baby gets here there will be plenty to worry about. Please please dont stress!!!!

Congratulations!! Thank you for taking the time to post and give us this wonderful news!

How do you join the facebook group? I think right now just hearing some positive outcomes will make me feel better... thanks!

rachelk.... send a message to stephanie egger on FB. add her name at the top and search for her. Then send her a message and let her know I sent you and she will send you an invite. Its a very private group so no one else will see your messages or posts. there are about 200+ woman with the same experience and positive end results. if you have any problems... friend on FB Michaelynn Dreiling. :)

My son had a "marker" on his heart that was explained to be "something" or "nothing." My wife and I were saddened, but determined to love and raise our son no matter what obstacle. He was born happy and healthy and is now 3 years old. I swore I would always "testify" on this website since it was such a hopeful help. Prayers for all...

Thanks for taking the time to post, ProudDad! I know it has been worrisome for all. And yes, we all Prayers. Thank you.

Thanks for taking the time to post, ProudDad! I know it has been worrisome for all. And yes, we all need Prayers. Thank you.