03/18/2013 Baby update

This is just too long and not "trivial" enough to find a place in the facebook newsfeed. So...I was forced to start a blog- which I will probably not have much time to keep updated like some of the cool and crafty people I know.

So I guess we're due for a baby update: My dad and I went to Salt Lake again last week for more appointments (Shaun is saving all his vacation for after babies are born). I had another comprehensive ultrasound, met with a genetics counselor, and met with a new OB doctor-who may or may not be available when I deliver. Aside from the scheduling mix ups and all the waiting and then rushed appointments, it was really nice. The U of U hospital is a whole different ballgame compared to EIRMC and I just soaked it up. The people who work there are involved with teaching and research so they were better able to answer my questions…the way I like J.  It's undisputed at this point that baby B's esophagus is not attached to her stomach, but instead her trachea/wind pipe (Esophageal atresia and Tracheoesophageal fistula). This is evident because after 7 or 9 or something ultrasounds (I've lost track) they haven't seen a stomach.  The 20 week apt noted a stomach- but I am thinking that was a mistake in reporting by the ultrasound tech in a hurry.  Chances are that the stomach is there…but it's not seen by ultrasound because she cannot swallow to get fluid down there making it visible….which also explains the polyhydramnios (large amounts of fluid around baby B). This issue will require immediate surgery as long as baby is stable. If she is too premie, or unstable she may possibly require a ventilator and will have a feeding tube placed for a while. (She'd have IV nutrition first though). So it is unanimous among the various doctors, initiated by neonatology at EIRMC, that I do what I can to deliver at the U of U. Baby A will be at the U of U NICU or nursery and baby B will be taken right to Primary Children's hospital which is just across a skybridge. She'll have an MRI and cardiac echo after she is stabilized to confirm everything. From research that I've read it looks like the average hospital stay is about 2 weeks after the surgery assuming everything goes well.

Genetics Counselor "counseled" us on a few of the possible genetic problems that she could have- I had already read about all of them, but it was interesting information for my dad. She said that, given these congenital anomalies, the chances of chromosomal problems is anywhere from 5-44%. The OB doctor said 30%. I've read research with numbers all over that range too, so we'll see. There is a NEW BLOOD TEST! Oh, it is soo cool. It can be done as early as 10 weeks and tests for trisomy 13, trisomy 18, and Down Syndrome. It just requires a regular blood draw from mom. Insurances are not on board yet though, so it is about 200 bucks out of pocket. Based on my zillion ultrasounds I believe her chances for one of these 3 is pretty low, so I kept my 200 bucks and will just get a cheek swab on both babies after birth that will test for a wide array of genetic issues, for which we will get results back in 48 hours or so.

Dr. Silver and Dr. Baker (OB docs) both believe that I will deliver at full term-sometime after 37 weeks based on the fact that I carried the boys full term and because I have no signs of pre-term labor at this point. Dr. Silver says I can have a regular vaginal drug free delivery as long as baby A is head-down. (Baby A is, by definition, the closest one to the cervix and the first one out) He doesn't care what orientation baby B is in. He also said that if Baby A is breech he can attempt to flip her to avoid C-section, but that there are no guarantees, but also nothing to lose. He's had many successes however and is the ONLY doc in Utah that will do this-so he says.

SOO, in 3 weeks we go back to Salt Lake, yet again, for another ultrasound, another OB apt, and to consult with the pediatric surgeons at Primary Children's. That puts me at 36 weeks, and I am thinking of staying in Salt Lake…with Samuel and William ahhh, until delivery. This part is complicated. -Haven't completely figured it out yet. Primary Children's has 6 trailer spaces with electricity-but no water and I like this option the best I think- even over the Ronald McDonald house because we can keep all our junk contained in our trailer, eat like we do at home, take naps in a familiar place, and be super close to the hospital.   ..I hope their internet extends to the parking lot!

In the mean time I have one ultrasound a week and 2- non-stress tests a week on the babies. Between these appointments and the nasty ear infections for the boys I think I counted about 15 doctor appointments in March. I told Shaun to cram in whatever doctor stuff he's been putting off since we will undoubtedly max out our portion of insurance this year.

Prayers appreciated J