A Little Rock of the Boat

We got some scary news about a 3 weeks ago after our anatomy scan follow up.  Seems like our luck never fails us, and always seems to follow us, although have to say the news could have been much worse so I am grateful for what it was.

A look at a Succenturiate Placenta after delivery 

The news came that we were dealing with what is called Succenturiate Placenta, a more rare placenta malformation.  Succenturiate Placenta is also called an accessory lobe, which pretty much explains exactly what it is.  It  is an accessory lobe to the main placenta.  

It currently is not causing any harm to BB or Baby H and both are doing fine (minus the extreme fatigue and body aches) and little man is growing just has he should be.  So thank the Lord for that!!  And we are all very thankful there is no need for bed-rest as I know that would be quite the stressor for all parties.  

 The problem with Succenturiate Placenta lies during labor and/or delivery, or if there is any PROM (premature rupture of the membranes) or bleeding.  The smaller lobe of the placenta (the extra lobe) can sometimes have areas of disease or atrophy and the membranes between the lobes in such placentas can be torn during delivery, which can be fatal to the baby and cause hemorrhaging to BB during/after delivery.  

If a women tries to have a natural vaginal delivery, without Succenturiate Placenta being diagnosed, there is a 90% chance of fetal fatality, so we are very grateful the radiologist was on his game the day we went in.  Even with the diagnosis the Lord was watching over all of us and we are very thankful! With that said Baby H will definitely be a c-section baby, guess he will be taking after his momma from the start!  

The biggest concern during pregnancy with Succenturiate Placenta is if there is bleeding; things can go from “perfectly fine” to “very dangerous” in a matter of minutes as there is about a 15-mintue window, once bleeding occurs, to get the baby out safely before baby potentional bleeds out.  

After we got hit with that news, we also were informed that our triple screen came back with some higher than normal markers and there could be a problem genetically with the baby.  Since we know the embryos were tested with CGH at 5-days and the report came back that they were genetically normal, it is most likely false concerns, and to be honest, we are not very concern over all this.  But with that said, we know CGH testing does have a window of error and since we have a history of a daughter with Downs and big brother with Optiz, although we are not concerned much about all this, there is still a small reality something more could be going on.  

The good news to all of this, even though we have been hit with some pretty scary pregnancy complication, everyone is currently doing well and all in good health.  Praise God!  We are still waiting to met with the MFM (Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist) so that we can get a better insight to what exactly the full picture is.  Due to some poor-customer-service-socialized-medicine staff members and insurance hiccups, its taken *a lot* longer than expect, and added some unnecessary stressful days, but we are finally on the road to getting things squared away to get in for the appointment.

The little man is still a wiggling around every day ... well more like doing rabid mongoose flippin', which might not be comfortable to her or her bladder, but is a good sign … and he is putting on the baby fat just like he should.  We will be scheduling a c-setion at 36 weeks and now on a more rush schedule to get things done and ready for his arrival.  

Of course any prayers would be tremendously appreciated; prayers for the little mans health and that he will continue to grow as expected and for comfort and safety for BB during delivery.  Prayers that we would encounter no more complications and that both Baby H and BB will be under the care of wise doctors and nurses as we get closer to the delivery date.  

Silver linings to all this: 
**  Get to skip the last month of pregnancy, which is thrilling for all parites involved. 
**  The hormones that are released when a body is under stressful circumstantces (like these) helps mature the babys lungs faster than normal which he will need for an earlier than expected arrival  
**  More u/s and trips to see the little man

WEEK 26:  My growing features & talents

-- I'm almost 2 whole lbs & 14" long

-- My feet are 2" long (unless I have moms gorilla feet) and my hands are very active exploring my surroundings  

-- I get the hiccups from time to time

-- All 5 of my sense are fully developed and I am beginning to open my eyes

-- I respond to touch, so I may play with you if you mess with me, if I am feeling up to it.

-- If you could see my hair you would be able to discern the color and texture 

Who gets the newest Valentine next year?

Well its been 10 long weeks of everyone wondering what this little peanut is.  It's been fun keeping this little secret to ourselves, since everything else about this pregnancy is so public … but I know its time to spill the beans so,  with the majority of guesses around GIRL (girl 13, boy 6) ... looks like someone was right  ….

... Looks like Mommy gets another Valentines to add to her list next year!  I am definitely out numbered in this house now but cant wait for these next 12 weeks to pass us by so we can meet his Little Man, ill take being out numbered any day!   

 WHATS BIG THIS WEEK: 

- I'm just about a foot long now - big as an ear of corn
- I'm gaining 3 oz a week in muscle, bone mass and organs
- My taste buds are beginning to form and soon my sweat glands will be forming
- Little creases have appeared on my palms
- My see-through skin is gradually becoming more opaque and has a new pink glow, thanks to all the small capillaries that have recently formed. 
- I have a 36% chance at survival 
- I am officially at the edge of viability, and most hospitals would automatically attempt every possible life-saving option if I were to be born now.  

Whats your guess? Another little man or Daddy's first girl?

We have had everyone under the sun curiously, and constantly, asking when we are going to announce what we are having.  Since this pregnancy has been so public, its been fun having a little secret to keep to ourselves for awhile.  Since we are excepting this little bundle in another 13-ish weeks I guess its time we share our secret …. but before we do I am interested to see how split everyone is on their guess.

I wasn't sure how to add a poll to this blog post but on the right hand of the screen you can see there is a poll listed.  Love to hear what your guess is for Baby H!



Sweet as a Grapefruit @ 23 Weeks
-  I'm as big as the ruler in your desk drawer, and weigh around a lb.
-  My face is fully formed, I now have to work on adding fat to my cheeks for you to kiss!
- My ears are preparing for the outside world.  I keen ears can hear honking cars, dogs barking and that loud vacuum you always have running. 
-  My eyebrows are visible & I can successfully suck
-  The bones in my inner ear hardened and I finally have a sense of direction.  I know when I am upside-down or right side up.  
- If born now I have a 20% chance of survival