Disability Can an ultrasound reveal disabilities in an unborn child?

Disability
When expectant parents find out that their child has a mental or physical disability, it can be heartbreaking. Some parents feel strong emotions and have a hard time making decisions. What is best for the child? What is best for the family? How will this condition affect the child and what is the prognosis for his future? Raising a child with a disability is just as special and rewarding as raising a child who does not have a disability. It is best to learn as much as possible about your child's condition when you find out there may be a complication.

During pregnancy, an ultrasound or test may reveal that your child has a disability. If your healthcare provider finds an abnormality on a test, you will be educated on the condition and any options that are available to you and/or your growing baby. Depending on the situation, you may be classified as a high risk pregnancy and monitored closely throughout the pregnancy. As hard as it may be to understand, terminating the pregnancy may be the best option if the condition is severe enough.

Parents of children that have a mental or physical disability often need additional advice or support from other parents that are experiencing the same types of situations. Feel free to share your story, ask for advice or lend support to other parents that might be feeling similar to how you feel.



Comments: Disability

Comments 1 to 24 of about 30.
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amandabaker - 5 days ago.
I just read about can an Ultrasound reveal disabilities in an unborn child? and the answer under it say's when expectant parents find out that their child has a mental or physical disability, it can be heartbreaking. That is true But an Ultrasound can NOT reveal any kind of Disabilities because they didn't tell me that my Daughter had Myopathy Muscle Disease We had to go back and forth to Jackson,Ms and get an MRI & EMG done on my Daughter & Plus when she was only 11 month's old she had her 1st surgey she had a Muscle Biospy done at 11 month's & it came back showing she had Myopathy So Ultrasounds can not tell you. Don't belive everything that you see or read on the computer 'cause I don't & I never did.

karla-anne - 27 days ago.
I have Cerebral Palsy. I am pregnant with my first child. I am kind of concerned that my pregnancy will turn into a high rick pregnancy and that I will not be able to delivery natural, that I will have to have a c-section. Can anyone give me some information about this?

jpcm - 71 days ago.
We are having another little girl end of April. We have an 18 month old daughter Caitlin. She was born with one webbed hand (that we have now learned will be short fingers) if they can seperate them. She is missing her middle finger on her right hand, her right foot is missing two toes and has a bubble for her big toe. SOOO we can't wear between the toe shoes, we only get to paint 4 fingers(the others don't have nails). We didn't know until she was born she would have this disability. We were shocked but we had also mc'd 2x before her, she is truley our blessing!!! I went through nights crying thinking everyone would look at her different, she would be talked about, do I cover her hands, will she be able to do everything other kids her age do??? Then I realized it was all normal...I started research online and now I know what options my daughter has...I no longer just agree with dr. I question them!!! Dr.s tend to want to do one thing and advise you to do that one thing but there are so many options and outcomes out there. I love the thought of God blessing me with a child that is not like every other child...instead of just wondering will she be able to walk without her big toe(balance toe) like dr's had told us she might not be able to walk straight...we wondered when will she prove them wrong, se did at 10 months, now she is into EVERYTHING!!! She has a princess pageant wave with her webbed hand and everyone LOVES it, Caitlin will be in her first beauty pageant in a few months. Her littel sister will be here in about 2 months and I feel I will cry more when I see the two of them together...Now I worry about the whole 'mean girls' stereotype that is in schools because I know it happens, we will cross that bridge when we get there.

lisar - 71 days ago.
I'm having a baby boy this month have thus far had everything go well with this pregnancy. I also have a four and a half year old boy (who is the love of my life) that suffered an in utero stroke. I just wanted to say to all of you facing parenting a child with disabilities that although it seems so scary in the begining, first you learn to cope, and eventually you don't even see your child's disability, only the love that you have for them. Also, always continue to hope and to work to improve their condition or quality of life. My son's pediatrician told me he probably wouldn't be able to walk, but he doesn't just walk he runs. He continues to amaze me daily with what he can do and overcome when he puts his mind to something! Good luck to all of you, don't feel guilty for your initial disappointment and saddness, just be sure to turn those emotions into something positive for your child!

mkatel - 78 days ago.
i just had my 20 week u/s and my baby has a problem called bladder exstrophy where the bladder is outside of her body. the doctor said this is a problem that occurs during development and my baby will have to have surgery within 24 hours of when she is born. we are extremely scared. has anyone known anyone with this problem?

Sakurako - 84 days ago.
I'm disabled and expecting twins. I have problems lifting, reaching, carrying, certain movements of the head and neck, things like that. I'm also unable to drive and have to rely on family. I'm afraid of becoming overwhelmed. Does anyone know of organizations that offer disability-modified baby care equipment or anything like that? Thank you!

jpcm - 99 days ago.
If anyone would like to talk please wriet me anytime, I have learned to use the internet for advice, support, and had to become medically literate extremely fast. We found one doctor that was honest and explained to us...some doctors assume parents don't know options soooo they don't offer all options your child has. I had never heard of bone lengthening or useing prosthetic bones for fingers, or what questions to ask surgeons. Talking helps!!!

jpcm - 99 days ago.
Hi everyone, just wanted to say I have a 17 month old little girl that was born with Amniotic Band Syndrome, (amniotic sac ruptured on the inside and bands that make the sac rapped around her fingers and toes, cutting off some circulation). As a result she has one webbed hand that looks like a mitten, missing middle finger on other hand and missing 2 toes on one foot. We knew nothing until the day she was born by emer. c-section. However she was my third pregnancy, I had mc 2x before and for us this was nothing. I consider myself blessed to be given the opportunity to watch her grow and function just as any other child would just alittle different. Dr's told us while she was growing bands were like spider webs and when she was born they are like rubberbands restricting as she grows...When she was about 2 months old my chinese fortune cookie read, 'Even the largest of webs can't hold a lion' We do sometimes worry about what other children will say but we plan on trying to make her as comfortable with her difference and as open about it as she wants to be. We are looking at atleast 4-6 corrective surgeries and even then she won't have full length fingers on her left hand, but she won't be told she can't do something. Please know 'the perfect baby' is all in the eye of the beholder. No, my daughter doesn't have ten fingers and ten toes...but she has heart, spunk, spirit, attitude, and a smile that goes on and on!!!

boyOboy - 99 days ago.
So it came back that my baby does have bi-lateral club feet. But it looks like an isolated event. I guess the final test is after he's born.

boyOboy - 107 days ago.
On Friday I was referred to a perinatal specialist to verify if my baby has club feet. After reading some of your posts I'm not too worried. Thanks for the info in this forum.

WaitingForMyLittleKitty - 111 days ago.
im almost completely blind and have other conditions dew to premie birt and unsteril conditions my parents were not happy w/ this .. i hope all u moms out there understand that even if your disapointed about having a disabled child please dont let them kno it .it has ruined my life knowing i wasent what my parents wanted. im happy w/ who i am and u barely notice my deformitys now so lifes good!!

stormie - 134 days ago.
Hi everyone, I am so encouraged by all of your comments ... I have a cousin who is 34 weeks pregnant and it has just been confirmed that she ahd the CMV virus and her baby girl has now been diagnosed with having th evirus. THey are undergoing counselling as the baby has calcification of the brain and things are not going to be good for them at all. Infact, everything that could be wrong with this poor little girl is. I am devastated for them and they are distraught as you can imagine. Has anyone ever had any experience with a a detus born with this virus and can give me any more information on it?? Thanks

alicia510 - 138 days ago.
i just found this forum, and i think its great they have something on the site for parents of disabled children so they can share their experiences. my 3 year old son was diagnosed w/ autism. he turned 3 last may, and was diagnosed right after. he is a gentle loving little boy, and so so cute. but he requires a lot, which is why after i have this baby im getting my tubes tied (not to mention both are c section births) and that takes a tole alone, i also know i will have my hands full. im just worried about sharing my love between the 2 of them, i know i can only do my best, but i don't want either one to feel left out. but i guess everyone adding a new addition to the family goes threw those thoughts...but having a disabled child could make things a little more complicated, lol does anybody have a disabled child to introduce a new baby to? or has anybody already been threw this? any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated. its something i think about often.

sarah-d - 154 days ago.
At my ultrasound last week my baby was diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis a rare genetic disorder. He already has three tumers in his heart and one in his brain and will continually grow more untill around the age of ten if he survives to that age. He may have both physical and mental disabilities due to his disorder. I am now 29 weeks pregnant and feeling very anxious as am a single mother with a 4yr old son and 2yr old daughter. I have no idea what to expect and would love to hear from other parents who have children with this disorder to know what to prepare for and how the siblings cope with having a disabled child in the family.

onewthewaves - 187 days ago.
Hi everyone :D I'm going to see a genetics counselor next week because my boyfriend has epilepsy and it also runs in my family. Wondering if anyone knew about the odds of it passing down to my baby are?

sherrybabydean - 192 days ago.
The docter's don't know why,but they say my baby boy has a very misshapen head.They said that one or more of the sutures in his head has prematurely closed.I had an amnio and it came back no genetic defects.They really are at awe of why this has happened.I'm scared and hope everything will be o.k.They think surgery can fix him,but they probably won't know the full extent until birth.Anyone who reads this,please just pray that everything will turn out o.k.Good luck to everyone that is not having a'perfect'pregnancy.We do love our little ones so!

simplymum - 192 days ago.
Hey everyone, i have been reading through a few of your comments, so sorry to see that someof you are going through some tought imes with a few results, also pleased for those who are getting good results......... I had a daughter when I was 16, 11 years ago now, gone so quick. When she was orn, she had 2 major fits, she needed to be sedated as they didnt know why she had these fits, the next day they did some scans which revealed something really horribly wrong. Her brain hadnt developed properly while I was preggers with her, the cerrubellum hadnt grown or developed properly, they said it was the size of a pea, the rest of her brain hadnt developed properly either. They called it Dandy Walkers Syndrome, we had no idea what was going to happen to her or anything, we just went with the info the Drs had, which wasnt a lot........ Basically the Drs told us she wouldnt be able to do a lot of things, like hear move taste see, but she could hear and taste, we dont know about sight couldnt test that, she couldnt move or feed, but she had such a little personality it was great......... Those of you who are facing something that is big or even not so big, just remember you can get through it, its hard work but you get there, the love you get in return is huge........

lin - 214 days ago.
just wanted to let you all know... Nixon was born with a left club foot. He is doing fantastic though! It was isolated so there were no other issues. He is on his fourth cast and his foot is already corrected...once his feet get a little bigger he can move on to the shoes and brace! So much worry... if I had only known it would be this easy, i would have saved my self some heart ache. He is perfect no matter what!

New Year Baby - 223 days ago.
Hi all! I know it has been awhile since my last post. I went to get my ultrasound last Monday, and my baby does not have club foot. The doctor did find that my cervix was funneling and that I was having contractions. I also had an infections. YIKES! I've been in the hospital for 10 days now. They did a cerclage on Saturday and it went well. It was risky doing the surgery so late in pregnancy (26weeks), but I'm doing a lot better now. So, things have definitely shifted. I'm SO relieved that they checked my cervix and this problem was found just in time. I want to thank everyone for their support!!!

crzymlissa - 231 days ago.
So I'm really nervous for my little Keifer. I was born hearing impaired which turned out to be a genetic mutation. It made childhood very hard. Ive been doing some research and I have a 50% chance at passing it on to him. I pray to God that he will have perfect hearing. I'm glad that they do hearing test at birth now because my parents didnt find out that I was deaf until I was 5 which really slows down learning communication skills. If he does have a hearing problem I will get him hearing aids asap so he wont be missing out as much as I did. I will also look into surgery when he gets older. Surgery has never been an option for me because the nerves to my face are wrapped around the bones in my ears that need to be operated on. Too risky for me. He shouldnt have that problem. Im the only one in my family who has this hearing loss.

lin - 231 days ago.
The doctor actually told me right away they suspected club foot, im suprised they arent up front with you. I would ask them what they are looking for, you have a right to know! If it is club foot... dont even worry! I had my baby, he does have a left club foot and its so easy to fix! He gets six casts, one a week for six weeks. THen has to wear shoes and a brace.. nonstop for three months...then just at night for a few years. A long process but excellent outcomes. Sometimes they require surgery to correct the foot. But by the time baby is ready to walk, the club foot... if treated early... will not slow him down! Good luck to you new year baby, i hope its nothing, but if you do find out its club foot.... no worries! The cast doesnt even bother my little one at all! and after the first one, we already see awesome results!

New Year Baby - 242 days ago.
Hi all - I don't know if my baby has a disability, but I was referred to a specialist to have a more detailed ultrasound of her lower extremities. My doctor said that she wanted to get a clearer picture. At my last ultrasound, I thought I noticed that something was 'wrong' with my baby's foot, but I didn't say anything. Then two days later, I get a phone call that I need to see a specialist (in 10days!! UGH). I know the doctor is trying her best to reassure me, but....having to get another ultrasound is not a 'good' sign. Is this what happened to you guys?? Sorry - I've been so upset the last day and a half, I just keep crying. Thanks for reading...

lennie21 - 254 days ago.
hey lin yeh ive been through it all they bascially said to me my first sons feet werent as bad as they expected - and i had to carry out manipulation till he was 7mths old then i were on the waiting list for his op - but he's has 6-8weeks in plaster & dennie brown shoes i have an appointment on the 10th of october to see how he's doing - and hopefully with abit of luck see when and if he needs his operation as for my baby am carryin atm they told me they cant do anything till he's born so i guess just means waitin again :(

lin - 268 days ago.
Hi lennie - I have been told that my baby will have a left club foot. I have been assured that with proper treatments they should be able to meet all the milestones as a healthy child. Did you have your childs legs casted or have the surgery done? I have already been in touch with a pediatrician to begin repair as soon as he is born. THe earlier its repaired the better chances of the feet not being an issue in later life. I would suggest seeing a pediatrician or someone who specializes in club feet.

lennie21 - 268 days ago.
Hiya , Am new to all this but i had a c section in august 2005 as my son had clubbed feet 2 years on he still isnt walkin am pregnant with my 2nd lil boy & found out he's got clubbed feet too :( ... was wonderin if there is any1 out there that has the same problem ive tried the hospitals treatment but they leave me hangin for month on end is there ne thing i can do to help him at home by myself ??


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