VSD?

[doglove]

We had our level 2 ultrasound today, they found 3 tiny holes in the heart chambers that aren’t supposed to be there. The doctor said odds are they will close on their own before birth. Everything else was normal on the scan and no other signs of abnormalities. We did genetic blood testing to rule out Down syndrome and a few other genetic conditions with known heart defects, but the scan didn’t show any markers that would indicate a genetic condition.

We’ll go back in 3 weeks for another scan to see if the holes have closed. That in itself wasn’t as stressful as how much genetic testing they wanted to do that didn’t have to do with heart defects. We finally had to say no and just do the tests for the known issues associated. Anyone ever deal with VSD? Or this issue? Trying not to stress about it. I’m almost 20 weeks.

[sunflower17]

I have no advice—I hope that they close up before birth and there are no issues with anything. Hugs.

[chocolatelove]

I have a heart defect and I’m very involved in the heart community, patient education, and advocacy. VSDs are the easiest to repair, sometimes require no intervention, and the most common heart defect. Some require a catheter surgery to “plug” the holes in childhood (I would doubt in infancy) but most babies with simple VSDs have normal, full lines (as do many of us with more significant conditions). We also had a fetal echo to make sure my baby doesn’t have my heart defect. We have to go back when he is 6-12 months old just to make sure there aren’t any tiny VSDs that wouldn’t be seen at this point.

There are so many organizations for support, but the 2 that are the most reliable in my mind are Mended Little Hearts and The Children’s Heart Foundation. Please feel free to reach out if you have questions!

[farfalla2011]

No experience either, but I'll be thinking about you and hoping for the best. Big hugs. The genetic testing stuff is really tough to process, good for you to limit how much testing you agreed to for your own sanity.

[doglove]

Thank you chocolatelove.

[jorja]

My oldest has a VSD. I actually had a fetal echo because she also had a 2 vessel cord, and they didn’t even mention it then, as most close before birth. She was born with a pronounced murmur and had an echo in the hospital which showed that it was still there.

She is going to be 5 in November, and as of last year, it has not closed. She saw a cardiologist at 1 month, 1 year, 2 years and 4 years. Apparently, the vast majority close on their own as a child grows in that time, however hers has not. The cardiologist does not foresee it causing her any issues, and she doesn’t have any restrictions or anything. He did just retire, so we will be seeing a new cardiologist from here on out, and will see if they have any different recommendations.

I know it’s so scary to hear there is something wrong with your child’s heart, even if it’s “no big deal” in the long run. Feel free to PM me!

[doglove]

Thank you guys for making this a little less scary. ❤️