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Hi, I'm 31 and went in for my 20 week Level 2 ultrasound. I was so excited about finding out about the baby's gender but then the technician/doctor pointed out the Echogenic Foci in the heart and then a cyst in the head. I was SO worried and scared. As soon as I left the hospital, I started bawling. Well, guess what? I had an Amnioscentisis to find out if there was down syndrome or trisomy and I got the preliminary FISH results back and the baby is perfectly fine and healthy. I was so worried that I couldn't sleep. The doctors told me that the soft markers itself are not uncommon in developing babies around 20 weeks or so. I hope that my posting helps or at least reassures you to know that a soft marker doesn't mean down syndrome/trisomy. Best wishes. xo

Hi, Dawn
if you see my posting I told that I have decided not to do the amnio but again I pushed to do the amnio by my doctor and my nurse, thanks God the result came back normal, but it was the most stupid decision that I have ever made in my life. when I am thinking now why didn't I trust my heart, I didn't like this test and if ever I became pregnent again even when I am 42 I am not gonna never ever do this test again, it just drained me emotionally and physically.
Please don't be worry, just trust your heart I am really sure that you and others who have this white spots in their baby's heart will bring completely healthy and beautiful babies.
Please don't worry!!!
By the way I am changing my doctor because they made my life like a hell.

Hi Everyone! I went in tuesday for a level 2 ultrasound and the foci is still there..however, the AFP results came back and everything looks fine! We opted out on the amnio because we were told our chances of a miscarriage is higher than the baby being down syndrom. I really wish my Doctor made it more clear that these findings are pretty common. She did say not to loose sleep over it..but oh my gosh how can you not? And to my understanding not all of down syndron babies have this marker.

Hello everybody! I am 31 years old and I am 22 weeks pregnant with my first child. My OB sent me to a specialist for a detailed US (according to him, he sends all his patients to this specialist who is considered to be the best). I thought I had done the Triple Screen, but my doctor told me it was the Quadru Screening Test. The test came negative, but when I went to the specialist which was on March 23rd, 2006 (I was 21 weeks pregnant) he saw a soft marker in the baby's heart. He told me not to worry about it, but it's difficult. The specialist wants me to go back on June 15th and I am wondering why wait so long. Is this normal? I want to go back now!!! Also, is this Quadru test accurate? I know I need to have faith in God, but it's so scary. Any comment is welcome! Thanks! Rachel

i have this too, i'm only 19 and now 22 weeks.. which is very weird..this is my second baby..first one was a stillborn, now i have to deal with this..my testing came out fine, and the doc said everything is fine, and my chance is 1/6000..but i cant sit here and not worry because of my history..does anyone have any website with more facts on this topic? thanks !

Hi Tiiaraa, I talked to a friend who is an OB in Brazil and she told me not to worry about the soft marker. I guess if our blood tests came negative there is no need to worry, but I know how you feel. My friend sent me me this website:
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi
/content/full/314/7085/918
Let'
s
try to be calm. Let me know how things are going. Have faith in God! Rachel

This forum has been a true blessing. While it has not completley taken away all the worry--it helps to know how many others out there have experienced the same anxiety --which while at the time I am sure was horrible--resulted in a number of healthy babies. I too was told on Tuesday--that my baby girl (1st-I have 2 boys) had a calcium deposit on her heart. I could never get past that first statement out of the doctor's mouth. I remember her saying she really was not worried at all--but it's hard not to worry. It's a Mom's job to worry. I am praying and ask everyone to pray for me and my baby as well. I had orginally refused the Quad screen--but the doctor indicated that because of the finding she had to offer the test again and offer the option to see a specialist for another look. The appointment is not until Monday and it is going to be a very LONG weekend.I also tried to call to get my results of my blood work, but did not hear back today. Please pray for us--as I will keep all of you in my prayers.

Hi ladies. I posted a while back (Nov 3 2005) about my son having a white spot on his heart which was found at our 18 week u/s. I just wanted to let you know that he was born on March 22, 2006 perfectly healthy!! I know how hard it is not to worry about this spot but dont let the worry take over the joy of your pregnancy because I am sure it will be just fine.

Hi Jessica, thank you for the update. I don't know if there is a difference between white spot and soft marker. My doctor just told me that my baby has a soft marker in his heart, but since my quad test came back negative he told me not to worry. I was terrified, but now I am feeling much better. I have faith in God that I will have a healthy baby boy! I will keep you posted! Thanks and congratulations on your baby! Rachel

Thanks for the update, Jessica & congratulations. Rachelgfk, from my understand, a "white spot" found on the heart is the echogenic spot, which is a calcium deposit. A "soft marker" is the term used to assign this findings. The more findings they find, the more "markers" they have. A "soft marker" just means it's a small finding.

Angel 2, thank you for the information. I will keep you posted. I have faith that everything will be fine. Rachel

Hi Everyone,
Just wanted to let you know that my daughter was born beautiful and healthy despite the ecogenic focus (calcium deposit) on her heart. Just keep the power of prayer going. I thank you all for your prayers and I will keep you in mine. Although technological advances in ultrasound can help us detect some things earlier they can also make us worry about other things unnecessarily as well. However, I leave it in God's hands and hope that you can have enough faith to leave it in God's hands too.

You're very welcome, Rachelgfk. Keep that faith. Ruth, thanks for sharing with us about your baby girl. And thanks for the others who finds the time to reassure the rest of us.

Hi everyone, I recently had an ultrasound and the doctor stated my baby had a cacium deposit (EIF, LIGHT SPOT) on his heart he told me not to worry too much but of coarse Im going too and I worry alot! Im 22yrs. and ill be 30 weeks sunday I know my chances are 1/600 but I think to myself I could be that 1. I need to let God help me not stress but its sooo hard. Good to hear all the positive outcomes Ill let you all know about my baby boy!

hi all,
i posted earlier also. my son is doing fine. we did the follow-up yesterday i.e. when he turned 15 weeks old. he had cardio sonogram and ecg. everything came out fine and the marker is gone as per the pediatrician. we are so relieved.
keep the faith!!

Hello,

After reading all the Q&A I feel much better, being in the same situation as most of you all.

Here's my story:

I am 27 years old (and will be 27 when the baby comes) and in the 22nd weeks of pregnancy. So far I have been doing great and haven't had any problems. I had an ultrasound on April 7th and everything looked normal and the sonographer also told us that the baby was fine and everything seemed normal. We also found out we are having a girl. We both were thrilled. We saw her move a lot during the ultrasound.

However, I had an appointment with my OB on Monday (April 17th). My OB said the baby measured fine and weighed right and everything else looked normal. But there was a white spot in the fetal heart (calcification). She said that there was nothing to worry about and this usually disappears on its own. She did say that sometimes this can be a DS marker, but since there was no other abnormality and given my age, the probablility was very low and of no concern. She did say that that was the reason they did not call me immediately after my ultrasound because this was not a big issue. She has asked me to get an U/S at the 30th week to see how the baby is developing. Like most of you all mentioned mothers always worry and I have been crying a lot ever since. I am really upset and haven't been myself since then. I am scared to death. I am praying for my little baby girl.

P.S: I did not have the quad screening in the 18th week and when I wanted to have one after I heard this, they said that it is too late because I am in the 22nd week of pregnancy. Is it really late?