echogenic bowel

[Fl girl]

Hi there!
I'm 40 and am pregnant with one. I found out today at the Level two u/s it's a boy. I also learned that my baby has something called echogenic bowel. (Also called hyperchoic bowel) This just means there are white spots on the bowl. In most cases, this is a normal variant of pregnancy. However sometimes this can indicate other issues--such as down's, CF, etc. So...I went ahead with the amnio, which will tell us if there are any other issues. Hopefully, it's just the normal variant.

In 4 days we'll know more. I'm trying not to think about it.

Have any of you experienced this?

[oldermama]

Hi:

I never had this but from what I have heard this is pretty common and might go away. I posted something below from another web site - I also know from searching around the chats that this has been found in a few of the babies and upon further testing everything turned out just fine.

Sending good thoughts your way - the odds are in your favour. It will be a anxious few days while you wait - try and keep busy ( I know it's easier said than done but I had an amnio and had to wait for results and it was really tough - you mind goes to all sorts of places)

Anyway, hang in there - as I said - the odds are in your favour and one study said the u/s picking up echogenic bowel and the link between downs or cf was only 1.4%. Good luck.

Barbara

What is Echogenic Bowel?

answered by Robert Wallerstein M.D.

Echogenic bowel is an ultrasound finding with increased signal in the intestines. It is a normal variant that has a small association with Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis and some infections. It overall is usually a normal variant of pregnancy, but some testing is often advised due to the associations mentioned above.

[Fl girl]

Thank you so much!
Yes...I'm trying not to think about it--and it does play tricks on your mind.
The doc said pretty much the same thing--that it is most likely nothing.
I guess when you go through IF treatment, you get conditioned to hearing bad news. I'm keeping good thoughts...

[oldermama]

BTW: Congratulations on your pregnancy! A boy! That is wonderful.

I know the next few days will be hard but like you said just keep positive and try not to stress (I know easy for me to say). I went through something not quite the same but when I was waiting for my amnio results - I had an apt with my GP - his nurse told me that my results came in - and when I asked him - he said 'no - that was just something saying there was blood in the amnio' I went home and as I also used to work in the medical field (for him even at one time) thought I have NEVER heard of that just being the only test - and if it was too much blood they would have had to get me to redo the amnio as it can't be read and since that is quite rare - I started to wonder 'what's up' ? Then I had my Obgyn appt. the following week - I told her nurse about it and she said 'well we never got anything' - keep in mind I was told that the sooner you get the results (I live in Canada btw) the worse the news was so my results came in early. Anyway, when my Obgyn's nurse called my gps office - my results had come in the previous week and they were to fax them over - well they didn't and then it was lunch so I had to go home and wait for 4 hours - I began to think my gp didn't want to tell me the bad news and it must be really really bad - and then I was going to sue someone for not telling me and how could this be- I was in tears - I was hysterical - so I finally called my obgyn and when I was told everything was fine - I burst into tears - I could not believe it as I had prepared myself for the very worst and my little one was okay.

So yes, you are right you get so used to negatives it's hard to keep positive and think positive. My situation isn't the same and I didn't go through IF but I was told there was no chance of getting pregnant without it and then my chances weren't good (I am 43) so sometimes good things just happen.

Wishing you all the good stuff - sending good thoughts your way. Stay strong. Keep us updated.

Barbara

[Fl girl]

Hey, Barbara!

Thanks for the kind words, thoughts and prayers.

I got my preliminary results for my amnio today and all's clear for Tri 13. 18, 21. We still don't know about the CF--that takes 10 days, but I think that will be fine, too.
My dh and I were tested for that (I think) when we did our IF workup years ago. I believe I also had the CF test when I was pg with my dd.

I'm glad I did the amnio--I can rest a little easier now.

[oldermama]

Oh that is so Wonderful!! I was so hoping for you! Whew! What a relief! I am sure the CF will also come back all clear even more so that you dd doesn't have it and you nor your hubby are carriers. Congratulations! Get a good nights sleep tonight now that you have a big peace of mind.

Really great news!

Take care.

Barbara

[Fl girl]

Thanks so much for the kind words again.

Hey...are you pg right now or do you already have children?
My dd is two--just turned 2 in Jan. She's amazing--talks like a 3-year old.
We struggled with IF for years--finally got lucky with our 1st IVF in May 2003.
I was such a doubting Thomas--didn't think it would work, then I had bleeding scares with her--but all turned out okay.

We're very blessed, that's for sure.

[oldermama]

Oh, it's so nice that you will have a little girl and now a little boy!

I am pregnant right now - 22 weeks. I as I said was 43 so was pretty well told that I had no chance of getting pregnant without IFV and donor eggs. We do have one son already (he's 11 years and he has autism). We spent so many years struggling with a diagnosis and getting him sorted that time sort of flew by. When we were ready to start trying again - well I was 38. Got pregnant when I was 39turning 40. I miscarried at 11 1/2 weeks but at my 10 week u/s - they said the baby was too small and I could tell something was up (but they wouldn't tell me). Then I fell apart a bit after that and we tried again. After 2 years of that rollercoaster and lots of negative - we decided we could not do IFV as it is not offered in my town and I would have to travel 5 hours away and with my son having autism and my husband working out of town - well it wasn't an option. So after much heartache - last June I finally gave away all my baby stuff/maternity stuff. It was hard but the rollercoaster each month seemed so much harder. The waiting -the hoping - the thoughts that oh! I was a day late I was pregnant, etc. Then surprise surprise - I ended up being late in October and thought okay - I am going through early menopause. So it's been a real surprise and I call her (yes I am having a little girl) my little miracle.

Sorry (I always post such long winded emails). Anyway, I am so pleased for you and your family and your little bean. How are you feeling otherwise??

Barbara

[Fl girl]

Congrats on the pregnancy. Little girls are the BEST!
You will enjoy her immensely.

I have a friend who is 44 who got pg in Oct. It was quite a surprise--and blessing. She has a 12 year old boy who has ds. He is a delight. She won't tell anyone if she's having a boy or girl. She's one month ahead of me--and is right where you are.

It seems like this pregnancy was definitely supposed to happen. Life isn't on our timetable, is it? Boy...I have learned that lesson over and over the last few years on many different topics.

I enjoyed your message--and I can be "long winded" myself--not to worry.

May your pregnancy continue to go well. Remember this--age is just a number. Yes...our bodies aren't what they were at 20, but my mom had me at age 40 and I turned out okay. (I hope--LOL!). There are advantages to being an older mom. I get to stay home--and I love that. 10 years ago, that probably wouldn't have been an option for us.

Good luck to you, Barbara.

Many hugs.
Micaela

[BC-GoMom]

FL girl,
Let us know when you get the rest of the results! I am glad things look good so far!
JenC