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Thank you all for this wonderful resource and your stories. We had our (almost) 20 wk ultrasound on the 22nd and two soft markers were found. One of which is the 'bright spot' on the heart AND two CPC's (choroid plexus cysts) in the brain. I saw one post a few pages back with someone else who had both of these markers and wondering if she has any more info? Or, if anyone does? I find lots of reassuring info on the isolated EFI OR CPC, but having a hard time finding info on both of them together. Our genetic conselor says that the odds are the same 1/300 as if we had one of both but I'm having a hard time getting past that answer. This is what she says - 'if two markers are found, we would increase the risk much more than the ~2 fold that we used in your case. The reason why we used 2-fold in your case is because some research indicates that choroid plexus cysts are associated with Down syndrome, but other research has not shown that babies with Down syndrome are more likely to have choroid plexus cysts. If we had found two markers that have compelling data that suggests they are associated with Down syndrome, then we would use a much higher risk estimate. Unfortunately, even with all the advances in ultrasound and research on these markers, this remains an area that is not clear-cut.'
We are having another ultraound in 5-6 weeks just because it would feel good to DO something since we are not doing amnio, but she also says that even if the markers are gone, our risk is the same. Has anyone else heard that? Thanks so much for reading! Jen

This is Jen again (repenshek) I did not mention that our 'ultrascreen' blood test at 13wks came back w/in the normal range, so that is promising. But ~10% of DS is missed in this test.

1moremom-I'm glad to hear after months you are able to happily talk about the pregnancy and had a blast at your shower. I think maybe I'm still at my emotional peak (it has only been about 2 wks sicne we found out about the focus) and I"m definitely too emotional to talk about it. Christmas was pretty rough for me because I knew I would have to field so many baby questions (even though no one knows about the focus) but I just didn't feel like answering questions. I feel comfortable talking about the pregnancy in general. with my husband of course but tried to give really short answers with my family. I know they are so excited and that just made it all the more difficult for me. I know I need to get a grip soon because I can't stay in a funk like this for 4 more months. I hope that I can start to enjoy my pregnancy again with everyone because I"m not right now at all.

Hi Jen (repenshek) - I am currently only dealing with one finding, the echogenic focus on the heart but my doctor also did tell me that even if it resolves itself our risk is still the same and won't go back to what it was before. We skipped all the tests so we wouldn't have numbers to dwell on or be worried about. We never thought that we would hear something negative at the 20 wk u/s. My doctor tells me not to worry but I haven't been dealing with it very well the last two weeks and it was a very difficult Christmas for me to "keep it together". It is good that you at least have the 13 wk bloodwork to give you more confidence that everything is still pointing to a healthy baby.

Hey all - when we went for an ultrasound they found a echogenic foci in the baby's heart during the 20 week ultrasound - there was only that one marker. I put on a strong face for my wife but was freaking out inside. The AHP test came out with good numbers but the doctors wouldn't commit to a statement that everything was great. I found so much solace in reading and sharing others' stories that I wanted to be sure to share mine. Our baby was born without any issues. Thank you all - I will pray for all of you.

goodinfo - thank you for sharing your good fortune. This site does bring us hope that things will turn out okay. I hope you wife is well also. It must have been hard the rest of the pregnancy to totally relax. I hope we all have good stories to share in the next few months.

Steffie92s...I really really understand what your talking about!! It took me over a month or more once we found out about the EIF before I could talk to anybody about the pregnancy without feeling werid. It was really difficult for me to even be happy for awhile. I felt horrible inside because I wanted soooo much to feel excited like I was before the stupid ultrasound and then all of a sudden it all slipped away. I felt bad because I wasen't enjoying being pregnant anymore and I was ashamed of that. All I can tell you is give your self time and know that your not alone with your feelings. One day I just got so fed up with being worried that I thought no matter what the out come is I have NO control over it. All I can control is my feelings. So I decided to let it go. Now that is not to say that it wasent still in the back of my mind but I didnt let it control me. Try and let go. I know its very hard but remember that this could be absolutely nothing!!! What really helped me was going for the 3d ultrasound. You can usually get good pictures of the face. I know it sounds so selfish but just seeing my babies face put me at ease. My doctor told me that without any blood work being completed and this being the only marker my odds are 1 in 1000. (I'm 30 years old so my age does increase the risk a little..) Still think about it 1 in a 1000. Thats still a really good chance that my baby is healthy in every way. I hope this helps a little and I know no matter what I say it still dosent put out that fear and anxiety. Just remember in a short time you will have a beautiful baby in your arms and nothing will change that...:~)

Boothy - Thank you for the words of encouragement. I hope I can get to the place where you are emotionally soon. You are definitely right that no matter how much worry we do or how upset we get we have NO CONTROL over what will be in the next few weeks/months. I will try really hard to let it go and try to get back to enjoying the pregnancy soon. I am so confused about the odds thing because I've read so many different ones but 1 in 1000 sounds pretty darn good. I will also be 30 by the time I deliver. Well best of luck to you in the next few weeks. You will soon be holding your baby! Please be sure to share your good news.

Message to Jen on top of page 29. I had a follow up appointment with my OBGYN before X-mas and we went over the results from my early December Level II with the perinatologist. The perinatologist had told me about the EIF but my OBGYN told me that a choroid plexus cyst had been found as well. I don’t think she expected me to become unhinged in her office! She was very kind when I did however and she said that she’s never seen a mom with a good 1st trimester screening have a baby who was born with Down’s….even with other markers besides these such as shortened femur. I have a follow up with the perinatologist in mid-January…she’s top notch and I am hoping she didn’t mention the CPC b/c she thought so little of it. We’ll see. At any rate I had a question…you said your doc had given you 1/300 once the marker was found. May I ask what your odds were before? Did they take your age odds or your screening odds as the starting point? The reason I ask is that I told my OBGYN I wanted to see a genetic counselor to get new odds and she dissuaded me from doing that because the genetic folks are always wanting you to get the amnio and I’m not leaning towards that. Side note to the other members of the board: Because I was such a mess after my appointment I got into a minor wreck on the way home and then spent all X-mas worring that I had caused a placental abruption. I prayed about it and promised myself that I would not let this control my life, ruin my pregnancy or affect my attitude towards my family. We’ll see if I can stick by that! I went to hear the heartbeat Monday and everything is fine. Boothy, you are right. We have no control over what happens. We can only control how we deal with it. Happy 2009 to all and I wish us all a worry free year.

Well all, as promised, I am back to tell everyone that I had a VERY HEALTHY son born on December 27th. He was a few weeks early however he weighed in at 5 lbs 10 ounces. NO DOWN SYNDROME or any health issues at ALL!!!!!
Search your soul ladies and you will see that your child will be fine as well. Be happy pregnant because it comes and goes so quickley. I already miss it and half of it I didn't want it. All for NOTHING. Remember not long ago ultrasounds, blood tests and all the new stuff we have to try and predict the future, didn't exsist. Women back then blissfully went along with there pregnancies and had beautiful babies. So will you!!!! God bless and I will come back to check on everyone and your healthy babies..:~)

Boothy- Congratulations!!! I am so happy to hear that you and your son are doing great! What a wonderful Chrsitmas present :)
Thanks for sharing your story with us all, it's a great comfort. Best wishes!!!

What a wonderful start to the New Year. Congrats on your little boy Boothy!

Boothy - I am sooo happy for you. Congrats on a wonderful holiday surprise! Thank you for being a source of inspiration for me. I hope I can come back in a few months and post the same! Enjoy your baby boy!

Boothy- congratulations!!! I am so glad to hear your wonderful news. What a blessing. I have 5 weeks left to go. I am inducing on February 6th. One question I had for you---did your pediatrician want to do any tests once he was born or did he say anything about needing to follow up regarding the EIF? Gretchen

Happy New Years to everyone and in a short time we will all be holding our beautiful healthy babies. It is going to be a good year. I can feel it!

Gretchen - good question for Boothy. I'd like to know this as well.

Our daughter also had a calcium deposit on her heart, and we too were scared to death. I'm happy to say we delivered a happy and healthy girl just a few days ago. We just wanted to say thanks and that reading this forum and all the posts, really helped us stay positive and was very reassuring. Thanks to everyone who has posted here.