Bands have been found on my ultrasound. I’ve been told they aren’t affecting the baby do I need to be concerned?
Band-like structures are frequently visualized on obstetric ultrasound. The vast majority of these are benign uterine synechia (an adhesion, or a fibrous scar also called amniotic sheets or amniotic folds) which have virtually no clinical relevance.
“On an ultrasound the bands appear as thin, mobile lines, which may be seen attached to or around the baby. About 70% of amniotic bands disappear on follow-up ultrasound, presumably due to rupture or compression.
If there is no evidence of any abnormality, other than the amniotic band, at the time of the scan then there appears to be little risk to the baby. Other reassuring factors are normal fetal movement and the band not being attached to the baby. In this case they have been called ‘innocent amniotic bands’.” [source: http://www.womens-health.co.uk/amniotic.asp]
What did I do when I was pregnant to cause ABS?
What causes the early rupture of the amnion is still unknown and to date, no prenatal factors have been associated with ABS. It’s natural to blame yourself, we’ve all been there, but it’s not your fault.
Do I need to be concerned about ABS affecting future pregnancies?
Amniotic Band Syndrome affects approximately 1:1200 live births. ABS is not genetic (i.e. not inherited). It is extremely unlikely that ABS will affect a future pregnancy. My second baby was not affected. So don’t worry.
Why have I never heard of ABS before?
Amniotic Band Syndrome can cause a number of different anomalies depending on which body part(s) is affected. Cleft palate, clubfeet, amputations, and miscarriages may all be caused by ABS but not labelled as such. Parents may connect with support groups for the particular birth difference their child has rather than an ABS group. ABS has also gone by different names and this has caused some confusion.
Can anything be done before the baby is born to remove a band?
In Utero Surgery has been performed to free limbs from amniotic bands that threaten to amputate limbs. Results of the first surgeries of this type were published in the “Journal of Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology.” It is the first minimally invasive treatment to correct a non-lethal fetal condition. Check out these links:
