[LaBruja]

We had our 20 week appointment yesterday, and the midwife said there was an issue with the baby's heartbeat. When she first put the doppler on my belly, there was kind of a "stumble" in the heartbeat, like a skip and then an extra beat once or twice. She kept monitoring it, and it was well over a minute before the extra beat appeared again...in between, the heartbeat seemed strong and steady. At each of the last two appointments the heartbeat was totally normal...I read that heart defects generally occur during the first three months, so if there was something seriously wrong it probably would've been caught before now, right? The midwife is sending us to a high-risk maternal-fetal medicine clinic to have an ultrasound done (I'm waiting for the clinic to call back; I'm trying to get in by Friday but they may not have a space until next week). And of course after the appointment I'm sitting in the car crying, and my husband says "Now honey, you know stressing out about it isn't good for the baby either." Gee, thanks hon! To give him credit he realized immediately it was the wrong thing to say, but it just makes me feel even more like it's somehow my fault there's something wrong. I'm just really really scared and until I can get the ultrasound and find out for sure whether or not there's an issue, I guess I'm just looking for information/reassurance/any stories about something similar that other moms have experienced? This is my first pregnancy and I'm just terrified...I would give anything for this baby to just be healthy.

 

[capretta]

Don't have any advice, just

 

[~pi]

Hugs, mama. These sorts of things are very scary, and it's hard to wait for more information. If you can, try to put it aside as much as possible. You will get more information soon. This could well be no big deal at all. And if, by chance, it is a big deal, an MFM is the right person to see.

 

[StephandOwen]

I have no advice to offer, but plenty of hugs.

 

[LaBruja]

Thanks for the hugs mamas...I just heard back from the clinic and they were able to schedule me for a detailed scan for Friday afternoon, so we'll known soon whether or not it is anything serious. Spent some time talking to a coworker mama today, and feel lots better...I think I probably am hormonal and have been overreacting, since every other other time we've heard the heartbeat it's been really strong, and even inbetween the "stumbles" it sounded good. I think hearing that I had to go to the "high-risk" clinic just really freaked me out!

 

[AllyRae]

DDCC...this is StephandOwen's sister. I came across this thread and wanted to tell you our story.

At about 28 weeks pregnant with Amelia, we got a similar heartrate--sounded a lot like skipped beats and then extra beats...every 3rd beat would be skipped. It went on like this for weeks. Combined with decreased movement, they admitted me to L&D, gave me steroids, and prepared me for a 28 week delivery. They did some echos (one in L&D, and a really detailed one at the children's hospital). The weird heartrate continued, but they decided that the risk of her coming out was too great at that point because there was nothing structurally wrong with her heart. I continued to get monitored with NSTs for the next several weeks, and then all of the sudden, the weird heartrate resolved itself. The perinatologist (I was seeing him for a different issue) said that most likely, she had a virus or something that she was fighting, and the baby's heartrate will go wonky if they are fighting something. He also said that he guesses most babies have a weird heartrate at some point, but it's never caught.

FWIW, she was born at 36 weeks, with perfect apgars and is a healthy happy 2 1/2 year old today. They checked her for a heart condition after birth, and she didn't even have so much as a murmur.

I hope that helps some... Peace mama...

 

[tutucrazy]

No advice on this one but lots of (hugs). The story above makes a lot of sense though.

 

[nicolian]

Big, big hugs. I hope Friday comes super fast for you.

 

[Katico]

Oh Mama, I so feel for you - it is super scary when you think something might be wrong

Amazing how much love we can have for them before they're even here!

I think AllyRae's story is very reassuring and makes a lot of sense. And we're so lucky to live in a time where if anything WAS really wrong, there are so many things they can fix!!

Nothing we say can make that fear go away...but try to take it easy on yourself until your appointment. Hugs and good wishes to you

 

[Snugglebugmom]

I know how scared you must be. Hugs to you, and I will be thinking of you during your appointment tomorrow. Keep us posted, hon.

 

[emmaegbert]

I hope you get some good news from the anatomy scan. I too had a very weird heartbeat once during a prenatal (at about 35w with my first) and went for a very detailed echo-cardiogram and nothing abnormal was detected. He was born at 38w1d, 8lbs6oz, and has always been a healthy, thriving child who is now 6.5, never any indication of anything the least bit off after that. The cardiologist (was that who it was? I hardly remember the details now if you can believe it!) who saw us then mentioned that an unusual heartbeat at one reading is not always an indication of a problem.

And don't stress about your stress fetuses have been growing and thriving inside moms who experience stress as long as there have been humans.

 

[Jenni1894]

Oh I know how scary this feels!!!

When I was about 34 wks DD#1 was found to have a fetal arythmia. We went to a specialist and it was monitored. We had ultrasounds and scans it was always present. Also she was on monitors right after birth. It was gone at birth and she is a happy, crazy and healthy 3 1/2 yo girl w/no heart issues what so ever.

*hugs* mama!

 

[Poodge]

lots of love and positive vibes to you!

 

[Kindermama]

DD2 had irregular heartbeat in one of her early well-baby check-ups. It was something that resolved itself over time. It's hereditary and my SIL had it too as an infant.

 

[LaBruja]

I really appreciate all the hugs and support mamas! And AllyRae, emmaegbert, Jenni1894, and Kindermama, thank you SO much for sharing your stories about your little ones...I feel so much better knowing that even after such scary symptoms, your babies all turned out happy and healthy. I will be able to go into the scan tomorrow with so much more hope now, and a lot less fear...thank you thank you thank you!

 

[meggles]

My dd had this once during a prenatal appt. and a couple of times during labor. She is now a healthy 4 year old with no heart problems whatsoever! Hope you get some more reassurance after your ultrasound.

 

[frugalmum]

I had this happen to me twice. I had to have a fetal echocardiogram which ruled out any problems. I think it is called premature atrial contractions? I can't remember. Anyway my kids were fine. With one they even tried telling me there was some kind of terrible heart defect and wanted me to see a cardiologist that day. But she was fine!

 

[starling&diesel]

Hugs, LaBruja ... it is so stressful to find out anything is amiss with our wee ones. I'm sorry that you're going through this.

My story: DD had a murmur so pronounced that the midwife could hear it with the doppler. There was never any concern pre-birth though, once the u/s showed a healthy heart. When she was born, she was monitored by a pediatrician. And at about 18 months she went for an ECG (that wasn't fun!). She has a third grade 'innocent' murmur, but other than knowing that and keeping an eye on it as she grows up, it hasn't affected her health at all. But the stress and worry for months on end was so hard. So very hard. Hugs to you mama, and fingers crossed that you get all good news tomorrow!

 

[StephandOwen]

I'll be thinking of you today and waiting for an update!

 

[starling&diesel]

Hoping and praying that you got good news today!