What Would You Do?

[Irishcupcake]

We went and had an ultrasound today and the ultrasonographer wants me back on Monday for another. Apparently, my baby is holding his hand funny and she was having a hard time getting him to move so she could get a better view.
Here's the thing - all his organs and measurements are perfect. The only potential problem is this one hand. As far as I can tell, that wouldn't indicate anything that could be an emergency at birth, so is it worth the 2nd ultrasound?
Anyone had a baby holding his or her hand funny that turned out fine? My gut instinct is to not worry about it, but I'd like to know what other mamas would do.

TIA!

[monamcmona]

if it's something you are going to be worried about until the birth, I would say go ahead and get the 2nd u/s. It would be worth the peace of mind.
If it's something that you won't think about..... until the birth, I probably wouldn't get the u/s.

I would get the 2nd u/s, if only to peek at my little one once more!!!

[Ruthla]

I see no reason to do another U/S in this situation- I can't for the life of me see any benefit to a second u/s, and the potential risks are still there.

[GearGirl]

To me, the benefit is your level of worry. I think if you are going to be concerned about it and stressed over it, it is worth a second look. I would probably be pretty sure it was nothing, but still need to know to avoid moments of hormonally induced stress, so I would definitely do a second ultrasound.

[Belleweather]

To me, the benefit is your level of worry. I think if you are going to be concerned about it and stressed over it, it is worth a second look. I would probably be pretty sure it was nothing, but still need to know to avoid moments of hormonally induced stress, so I would definitely do a second ultrasound.

I totally agree.

If it's not bothering you, let it go. If it is, there's nothing wrong with getting the second U/S, although I don't think you NEED one. I mean, even in the worst case scenario and there was an issue with the baby's hand it's not like it would be life threatening or something you'd have to deal with immediately at birth or anything. So I think it's up to your personal preference.

[lylas]

I agree that it should come down to how much you will worry about this until you give birth. Only go back if you think this will bother you a bunch with wondering what it might be....in that case, then it's totally understandable to want the 2nd u/s.

[linguistmama]

I would go with your instincts and not get one. I would only consider one if I felt instinctually that I needed to.

[cubasianchica]

i know u/s are a bit controversial but personally dont see anything wrong with an u/s esp when there is potentially a problem. I couldnt just sit there not knowing that something was potentially a problem. I would want to know.

[Ligeia]

Your instincts are everything. Besides, even if there were something wrong with the hand (and who knows if there even is) what can you do about it now anyway except worry more. I would probably blow it off.

[Beeblebrox]

Your instincts are everything. Besides, even if there were something wrong with the hand (and who knows if there even is) what can you do about it now anyway except worry more. I would probably blow it off.

Yepp I couldn't agree more.

[Irishcupcake]

Your instincts are everything. Besides, even if there were something wrong with the hand (and who knows if there even is) what can you do about it now anyway except worry more. I would probably blow it off.

Yup, that's pretty much what I was thinking...and what I told DH when I ran the idea by him. I figure we're lucky to have everything else look perfect right now and if, Goddess forbid, there's something wrong with his hand, we'll deal with it after he's born. DH asked if they'd do anything about it (he just found a picture of a 21 week old fetus grasping a surgeons hand) and I explained it wouldn't be life threatening, so they wouldn't do anything until after birth...IF there's anything to fix.
I think we've decided to assume there's nothing wrong, skip the u/s, and deal with issues as, and if, they arise.
Thanks for the imput, ladies! I guess I just wanted to be sure there wasn't a pressing reason to HAVE the u/s that I was overlooking. I'll be better at this mom stuff the second time around, right? :lol

[rmzbm]

I think you're making the right decision. I wouldn't have the 2nd US.

[wannabe]

I'd ask your midwife if a problem with only ONE hand is ever indicative of the things that problems with TWO hands can be. Because they can be very serious indeed, and you may want to know at this point to make decisions about continuing.

[Barcino]

Was the hand covering something else though? I would ask why is this important and then figure out if their reasons make sense or not.

[Vermillion]

Anyone had a baby holding his or her hand funny that turned out fine?

Yep. My DS has BOTH of his fists closed tight and would not open them at all. Apparently that could be a soft marker for trisomy 18. But he also had a CP cyst (pretty common in healthy babies though) that could also be a marker, so I did end up going back I think about 6 weeks later for a repeat u/s, even though my doctor was not overly concerned. It was more a peace of mind thing for a paranoid first time mom :)

But anyway, yes, my DS did have both of his hands "funny" and all turned out perfect.

I'm not sure how your baby's hand is or what they are concerned about exactly, but if your gut is not worried, than I think you should go with that.

[njbeachgirl]

With my DD they kept trying to get me to come back to see this, that and the other thing. Unless you have some specific kind of concern I wouldn't go back. You've already seen that everything else looks normal, so that should be reassuring to you.

DD had her hands closed in fists too. (it was later than 20 w though). She is an extremely smart, healthy, totally normal 11 month old now!!! They were specifically trying to see her hands because I have a first cousin with a rare genetic syndrome which causes among other things deformities of the hands.

She was never in a good position to see "everything" for u/s that they wanted. Finally I was like, look. I'm not coming back for any more u/s. I didn't feel that I needed it instinctively and I didn't want to expose her to more u/s than was necessary. This pregnancy I might not have any at all.

[ilikethedesert]

I think you made the right choice. If there's nothing they could do now anyway in the event that there is something odd, what's the point? But for piece of mind- look at how fuzzy US pictures are anyway. It's probably nothing unusual. Maybe a shadow?