First Time Mom with Echogenic Cardiac Focus (EIF) Please Read/Help

[michele]

Hello-
I was reading your post and it brought back such memories for me.  I needed to let you know I was in the same position  1 1/2 years ago.  At my Level II the periontologist told me my son had a EIF in his heart.  After much agony and research, we decided no amnio as my odds were still in my favor.  4 months later my son was born and very healthy.  No problems whatsoever.  So as hard as it is be positive and try not to worry.  A follow up conversatio with my obgyn stated that much of what you are told is "precautionary".  Good luck and enjoy your precious son.

[svogt]

Hello, just was visiting this sight and wanted to give you some positive feedback. My baby girl was born last october and was healthy as can be. Like yourself I was 30 and pregnant for the first time.  I had turned down all other testing and didnt have an amnio.  She showed an eif and two cysts on her ultrasound.  it was terrifying at first, but by doctor was extremely reasurring. I am sorry to hear yours has not been. My doctor actually told me if I was his wife, he would tell me there is absolutely nothing to worry about. I firmly believe these frequently are a normal variance of development. I hope this gives you some reassurance and the one thing I wish now is that I had enjoyed my pregnancy more and worried less. i lived on this sight, it gave me constant hope. I wish you all the best

[babyboyk]

Thank you everyone for taking time to reply!  I am now in my 32 weeks.  Couple more months to go! I am remaining hopeful that he will be fine. Thanks again. 

[babyboyk]

Thank you everyone for taking time to reply!  I am now in my 32 weeks.  Couple more months to go! I am remaining hopeful that he will be fine. Thanks again. 

[milka]

Well i just wanted to jump in on this one.  I was in the same situation with the ECF of the heart and was devestated.  NO compassion from the OB either, which made matters worse. I was hysterical.  Did all my research and did decide to go ahead with an amnio and gentic counseling and everything was normal and on May 9, 2004 i had a beautiful baby boy.  I was 30 years old at that time.  Now i am 31 and having baby #2 and they found bilateral CPC's again same emotions came over me and decided this time that i would not do the amnio because the risk of losing the baby was greater than having a baby with t18. My level II u/s at 20 weeks, the baby had no other abnormalities and my triple screen was normal.  Follow-up u/s at 28 weeks the baby's CPC's were gone and that was a relief but i knew even if they were still there everything would be fine.
Good luck to all of you and I will keep you all in my prayers.
due date 8/30/06

[babyboyk]

Dear Milka,

I know, that was the toughest decision but we decided against the  amnio.  was it scary at the time getting it done?
Did you feel strongly about it or did the DRs recommend it to you?

I think you made a reasonable choice to go against the amnio for the second one. 

Good luck to you too and ttys

[Jonelle]

At my 20 week ultrasound with my son it was discovered that he had 3 "soft signs."  Echogenic Foci, dilated kidneys and choroid plexus cysts (2).  The MD stated so blunty that these were found in babies with down syndrome. I freaked out.  I opted to have the amino done.  It took 2 weeks to get the results.  I spent many evenings on this site looking for comfort.  I spoke with my OB/GYN who stated that those studies were very outdated and that my chances of having a child with DS were less then 1%,even with 3 "soft signs"  I gave birth to a beautiful, healthly baby boy on Aug 7, 2003.  I hope that this gives you some support as you go though this.  Please feel free to email me if you want to talk further.  Good Luck

[4thontheway]

I am 36 years old (high risk due to age).  At 16wks I was referred to a perinatal clinic for a level 2 u/s and amnio. I was very delighted to find out that I was pregnant with a boy (I have 3 daughters).  I was then completely devestated once I was told that my baby had an isolated EIF.  I was not given much information about this "soft marker" but went home and found so much confusing information on the internet.  I had to wait one week before undergoing an amnio which was just completed on Monday.  During the week while I was waiting for the amnio and then the results, I felt like I was living in a nightmare.  I read the posts here several times a day and found great comfort and hope.  

Today, we received the FISH results (only 2 days later) which confirmed that we are having a baby boy with no chromosomal abnormalities.

[2ndCPCBaby]

4thontheway,

Congratulations on finding out that you're having a baby boy and on the wonderful amnio results!

[mich]

Hi there-
Just wanted to letyou know that my son who will be turning 2 in oct. was diagnosed with an EIF at my 20 week u/s.  After having him the nurse told me it is not a good marker for any syndrome and most doctors are not concerned about it.  I know you are worried but try to relax and enjoy your pregnancy.  Everything will be fine

[ramy]

Hi, I just had my 20 wk ultrasound yesterday and was told that the baby has echogenic intracardiac focus.  I am 36 years old however they tell me still low risk. (after ultrascreen and this marker) Obviously I am concerned.  My husband found this message board and I am finding it very helpful. I dont know anyone who ever had this on their sono so it is nice to not feel alone. I have decided that I am not going to let it be a negative factor in my pregnancy.  Its just a fact and as I see on this message board very often it is indicative of nothing.  Either way I am going to enjoy every minute as I was doing anyway.  I will continue to read everyones postings and hopefully can remain this positive for the next 20 weeks. Thanks.

[Kerri]

My son was diagnosed with CPCs and EIF at my 20 week ultrasound. I had a normal quad screen, and a normal nuchal (until the second ultrasound). When we went for a follow up US they said the nuchal fold had thickened. We went for amnio, even though the docs said that the risk was 1 in 5000 that he had DS. Well, he did have it. Go for an amnio, especially if you are going to drive yourself crazy.

[WendyZajack]

I have three normal, very healthy bright children. Two boys and a girl. My two boys (6 & 2) both had CPCs and my younger son also had EIF. I did have an amnio with my older (b/c of an abnormal AFP as well 1/160 for Downs) and I was very scared and didn't know much about CPCS -- so I had to know if everything was ok.

I did not have an amnio with my 3rd child -- Pete -- because I felt confident that everything would turn out ok and it did. I think this has become much more common both EIF & CPCs so it isn't overly unusual. I did worry a bit as the birth grew closer, but it wasn't intolerable (I also had two older children to keep me busy).

Technology is evolving so quickly .. I think they are noticing so many more things as U/S get better and better. Best of luck -- do what feels right for you.  
Wendy

[reddone20]

Hi im a 22yr old female and this is my first time every having a child. Right now im in my 20th week and had my first ultrasound on the 6th of this month, yesterday i had spoken with my doctor who has told me that my baby boy has EIF, this really freaked me out! my sreening for down syndrome came back negative, and just at this time i just really dont know what to think. Reading the responses and experiences on here has given me some hope tho and thats exactly what i need at this point, cuz like you guys i want to enjoy my pregnancy to the fulliest without any doubt that my baby is okay! so just pray for me and i will also do the same and hope that my lil guys is okay! Mommy loves you booboo