obdominal wall defect?

Ok....So I go to get a scan at 10 weeks everything is fine (so they tell me).... 2 hours later my GP rings and says" there is a "prominent bulge" at the base of the umbilical cord that connects to the baby.....I FREAK OUT!! My gp says that there is a need for another scan in 2/4 weeks to check all is ok.This was Friday afternoon. I have since come back to HK and have a 11 week scan booked for tomorrow, and as you can imagine I am really sacred. Aparently there is a time at 10 weeks where the intestines and other organs move from the umbilical cord into the stomache....is this the reason for the bulge?

I have done what I probably should not have done and searched the internet on this topic(that scared me even more) have been in tears for the last week. have any of you experienced the same situation?

I haven't experienced this, but bear in mind a few things - if your doctor was genuinely concerned that there was a serious problem, he or she would not have let you go another 2/4 weeks before finding out more. It is probably just a GP being overly cautious, as they are not as familiar with scans etc as your obst/gyn will be. I'm sorry you have been so stressed about it - by the time you get this message you will probably have already had your scan here in HK. I hope it went well for you, and all the best for a safe and healthy rest of your pregnancy.

Went to the Dr today and he say's that it is still there but not to be too worried as it may still retract into the babys abdomen.Everything else looks fine......so fingers crossed it will all be ok. Will repeat the scan in 2 weeks and if the bulge does not go away apparently there is a straight forward procedure to fix it after the baby is born by an operation.... not the best outcome but so long as the baby is ok with everything else and wont suffer long term I am feeling much better about it all..

thanks for the warm wishes.

will keep you posted.

white rabbit.

Difficult to comment without seeing the scan, but most of the time it is the "physiological umbilical herniation" which occurs from week 6. This occurs because there is not enough room in the abdominal cavity for the rapidly growing midgut. This happens in all babies.

By week 10 - 11, the intestines return rapidly into the abdomen.


So repeating the scan at 12 weeks should confirm that.


Matilda International Hospital 2849-0328

Hong Kong

http://www.matilda.org