not so good news

[rachie204]

we had an ultrasound today (26 weeks and 3days) to check on little Emma and see how her heart and things were coming along.  Her heart looks great, they said my amniotic fluid was below average, which I am not suprised about because I have been having a hard time drinking water.  They also said she was a little below average for this stage of pregnancy, a little under 2lbs.  I was pretty much shocked because I was 9.2, my son was 9.4 and DH was 9.9.   The worst thing they said was that she has PYELECTASIS....also know as HYDRONEPHROSIS.   Meaning that her kidney's are larger than normal.  They told me that this could be caused by increased progestrone in my body and that it is probably nothing to worry about but that it can be serious and they get worried if the kidney's measure over 4.mm each,if they get too large she may require surgery after birth.  Emmas were only 3.mm.  But they also mentioned that this is one of the signs of Down Syndrome.  The doctor told me that she has no other reason to suspect it would be Downs, (we did the first trimester screening)  so to not be to worried and to come back in 8 weeks to remeasure.  I am trying to remain calm but I would really like to hear from anyone else who has had this diagnosis.  

[rachie204]

thanks girls...I have UHC  so I should be able to find someone.  I am going to see about calling my regular OB tomorrow and speaking with him about all this since it was found at the genetic doctors office.

[Cheesecake7]

A perinatologist/maternal fetal medicine specialist are one in the same.  It is an OB that specializes in abnormalities and high risk pregnancies. They do high resolution scans and are extremely experienced with dealing with and diagnosing abnormalities. They don't deliver babies, they work in conjunction with your normal OB who will still do your routine care and delivery. All that the perinalogist will do is take a detailed look at the abnormality and examine any other supporting info to tell you in detail what is acutally going on, rather than stats. - This is what they do all day.   I am going so that he can do a high resolution scan and examine her anatomy in detail to see what is going on. Im tired of hearing "it may be a marker," I want to know if it is and the perinalogogist will look at a more comprehensive picture.   Check with your insurance to see if there and any particpating in your network, I bet that there are.  I know that they are many with BCBS and UHC (I dont know what your insurance is), but it is worth it because it will put your mind at ease.  

[Kash12]

I am so sorry to hear this news Rachie. I hope that little baby Emma recovers fast enuf and her kidney issues are gone. Peri is a high risk specialist and I agree with Stacie that you should ( infact u both )see one soon. I hate to hear Dr's tell u not to worry and come back after 4 weeks or 8 weeks. How on earth can a mom not worry and wait for 4 weeks to know hwo her baby is doing . Please push ur Dr and get a ASAP appnt with a peri. They need to monitor u more closely and be more pro-active. I hate it when they r so laid back... and tell u not to worry. You both don't deserve that "what if" agony ...

[rachie204]

thanks cheesecake.  What exactly is a maternal.fetal medicine specialist or perinatologist anyways?   The doctor I saw today isn't my regular OB she is an OBGYN but her specialty is things like 1st trimester testing and genetic testing...I dont know.  

[Cheesecake7]

Im sorry for your stress.  I don't have this diagnosis, but I am going through a VERY similar situation.  First, let me say that that I am 26 weeks, 3 days  and today Corinne is 1 lb 13 oz.  My doctor said that this is just fine.  
I hate that they say these things to you.  My doctor told me that Corinne's cysts could be a marker for Trisomy 18,  but not to worry. How the HEII am I supposed to do that?  and it sounds like it is the same thing that they did to you, only with Down's and her kidneys.   If I were you, I would demand to see a maternal/fetal medicine specialist or perinatologist ASAP.   After todays inconclusive ultrasound this is what I did.  I will NOT wait another month or two in agony when I could have answers, and you deserve the same.  Don't torture yourself, get some answers.  
Keep in mind that these doctors tell us everything, but these things usually do resolve themselves. Please find a way to get a consult with a perinatologist, I have been living with the "what if" agony for a month now, don't let yourself go through that.