New here- question

lmgleason · Joined: 18 Dec 2008 Posts: 1

I recently went to our first ultrasound at 10 and half weeks and the ultrasound tech told me that the baby's midgut herniation is larger than she normally sees. I understand that babies at this age develop a midgut herination as they develop their intestines and then this herniation goes in around 10-12 weeks.

I was just concerned becasue she said that the herination is larger than she normally sees and to come back in 2 weeks to recheck it. I understand that at this stage that it is normally like 4-7 mm and our babies is right at about 7 or 7.5 mm. I am just so worried. The doctor said that it can still go in on its own or it could possibly be gastroschisis or omphalocele. Is it just way too early to tell this from a normal midgut herination? I am so scared.

Nicola · Joined: 15 Nov 2008 Posts: 20 Location: near Edinburgh

Hi there,
I have just read your mail and couldn't help but sympathise with you. I had a extremely similar experience as my husband and I went for a scan at 10 and a half weeks and were told that there was 'prominence at cord insertion' meaning that the babies tummy was bigger than they thought it should be but like you, they said it could just be returning to babies tummy as normal development at this time. The wait for our next scan at 13 and a half weeks was very long and I was really anxious like yourself. When I went for the scan, I asked the sonographer to check the babies tummy first as I couldn't relax till she checked it was all ok. Unfortunately for us our baby has an exomphalos and I am now 30 weeks pregnant. It wasn't what I had wanted to hear but then life doesn't always work like that I now realise.
I don't want to worry you more as the chances are still very slim for this to be the case for you but I couldn't stand the thought of you worrying and not getting a reply as I know my head went round and round and I probably would have appreciated having someone who might understand. The positive news is that the rest of the baby is all well and developing as should be and we are remaining optimistic that the exomphalos will be fixed and we will have a healthy baby which is all I could wish for. You can email me privately if you want or via GEEPS if you want to chat about your concerns and please keep me posted as I will be thinking of you and know what an anxious time this is for you.
Chin up and look after yourself. Not long now till you will know for sure what's ahead. Keep positive in the meantime.
Nicola