Echogenic Focus

Another stressful week. On Thursday, at my normal doctor's visit, I was told that during my 20-week ultrasound (nearly a month ago) a white spot was located within the heart of the baby. The doctor indicated that I would need to undergo another ultrasound, this time with a Parinatel specialist, to determine if there is anything wrong.

After doing some research on this "echogenic focus" I learned that this white spot is a calcium deposit that is an indicator of Downs Syndrome. This is not the picture from my baby, but is an example of an echogenic focus.

So we went downtown today to see the Parinatel specialist that we were referred to, and learned that the echogenic focus remains, but with no other indicators of Down Syndrome, the risk that the baby will afflicted stands at 1%. The other indicators measured and determined to not indicate Down's Syndrome varied from the structure of the nosal passages, to the length of the spine, leg and arm bones, the structure of the brain as well as some other measurements taken around the body.

For those that remember those very popular 3-D pictures, you may have to squint your eyes to see the baby in these pictures. But if you successfully see a profile shot of the baby's face than you need not squint any longer.
And finally, the doctor was able to determine the sex of the baby, and we are having another girl!!! Baby Girl's name has not been established yet, but we hope to have one soon.