Wednesday, March 26, 2014

When Bad News is Good News


With the last update I shared about the placenta malformation we were diagnosed with.  Unfortunately it took WEEKS to get in with the specialist, military medicine is not the easiest thing to wade through.  But finally with the Grace of God, all parties kept their sanity, although not by much, and we were finally able to get in earlier this week.

At one of our last OB appointments we were given many different situations that could possibly happen but the one that weighed heaviest on our hearts was that with is is succenturiate placenta we were also dealing with Vasa Previa.  

VASA PREVIA
Vasa Previa is a very rare placenta malformation that is extremely dangerous to the baby during labor and delivery, even can be fatal.  Vasa Previa involves fetal vessels which are connecting the accessory placenta to the main placenta and thus those vessels can crossing or running close to or over the cervix.  The vessels are unsupported by the umbilical cord or placenta and are at risk of rupturing when the supporting membranes rupture and if they are ruptured the baby has a 2-3 minute window until fatality can occur, by potentially bleeding out.  Because of the severe danger to the baby with this condition, it would require bed-rest hospitalization around 32 weeks in order to watch the baby, and the vessels,  however even if the vessels were to rupture in the hospital the doctor stated they may not even be able to get the baby out safely in time.  It was not news either party was wanting to hear and weighed heavy on everyones hearts. 



The level 2 ultrasound brought us great news – we are NOT dealing with Vasa Previa but Placenta Previa.  Might be bad news to most, but for us it was the best news we could hear. One of the placentas is still completely covering little mans exit out, so c-section is still inevitable and we get to continue with the current doctors orders: limited activity, pelvic rest and scheduled c-section at 36 weeks but nothing like having to be informed hospitalization is needed.  So all-in-all we got the great news we were hoping to hear.  Total answered prayer!!  
                                 

As for the possible genetic conditions that were presented to us with the positive Triple-Screen, we had our genetic counseling appointment the same day – it was our 4th or 5th one now – and we didn’t learn much that we already didn’t know.  We agreed to no amnio, not that we could do it anyway because of the placenta issue and being so late in the pregnancy, but we were offered further blood testing if we wanted.  The blood test would look at the major chromosome syndromes (13, 15, 17, 21) but we didn’t feel that was necessary unless the baby was showing some problems.  


Little Mans big 'ol feet



When we did the 2nd anatomy scan baby looked perfectly healthy.  All major organs checked out perfect and he was already measuring in at 3lb 3oz, in the 61st percentile … which is good since he will be 4 weeks early anyway. 







He still refuses to show us his face, so all we got was this 1/4 profile picture. 
We cant thank everyone enough for the prayers – the Lord sure did answer them and keeping little man healthy and safe and growing strong.  We have another doctors appointment on the 27th and another on the 1st and hoping to get our date on the book at one of those appointments, as far as when we get to meet him.  But from my best guess-timate we have about 47ish days to go. 





I can do a lot now at 29 WEKS:

**  Little mans brain is busy developing billions of neurons (takes after mommy)

**  I am close to my birth length, just need a little more time to chub out

** I can taste and maybe even indicate preferences or dislike for my particular tastes

** I can sense light and may even move to follow a blinking light if you put it up to me

** My eyes move in their sockets and I am already dreaming.  

 ** I am quite the night owl and like to play every night around 1045/11pm!  I'm helping my mom and day out because they are not morning people!