We finally got some good news yesterday! Of course that's all relative to the situation, however I'll take what I can get.
We went in for a sono to check the amniotic fluid levels of the babies & monitor development due to last week's probable diagnosis of Twin to Twin Transfusion. I had decided not to look at the doctor's face or the monitor during the sonogram today because I've realized he is too hard to read when he's assessing things & makes me nervous every time. He's so good & I have absolute trust in him, however his bedside is nothing to rave about!
He assessed baby A (Addison's) ambilical cord blood flow from the placenta & stated that is was "perfect" (this is the baby presumed to be getting less blood flow resulting in less amniotic fluid). He also reported that her bladder was full & functioning well (it was expected that she start showing signs of dehydration with less blood flow by now). That was my first sigh of relief. Then he checked her fluid level, which was slightly less than last week.
Baby B (Elle) had a normal amount of amniotic fluid today, which last week showed to be slightly high. Usually Dr. T is quick & efficient, however today he studied the monitor & did more assessments than usual. He then explained his findings & said he had good news. The babies are no longer presenting like they have Twin to Twin Transfusion! Instead, he is going to test me for a leak in baby A's amniotic sac. The test for a leak came out negative, which they said was a very good thing. Sometimes a small tear in the sack can result in a slow leak & can eventually repair iteself, which is what we are hopeful has been the case. We will have another sonogram on Thursday to recheck things, however in the meantime there are no changes in treatment. Bestrest for the rest of the pregnancy. And that's just fine with me
We can't thank our family & friends (and those we haven't even met) for the continued prayers on our babies' behalf. I know God is working good through this trial. Someday these girls will have such a beautiful story to tell.
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully & wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know this full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Week 25!
We have officially have made it to another milestone-25 weeks! I never imagined we'd be excited to have our babies make it to a seemingly small gestation. But I have faith that this is not going to be the last milestone either. Next is 26 weeks, and their survival statistics go way up to 90% up from this week's 70%. I can't believe we came in with a "less than 15% chance of survival" & now we are already to 70%!
This week has been a whirlwind to say the least, with seemingly more bad news day after day. On Monday we finished the injections for the babies' lungs (I'll get another injection next week). On Tuesday, we had a sonogram to see if the medicine they'd been giving me was strengthening my cervix & check dilation. Unfortunately we didn't get the news we were hoping. My cervix is now thinned out completely with 1 cm dilation. I was scared to death.
The doctor has stopped the medicine since it was not working and it is now just a waiting game. Thankfully I have not been having contracctions & no leaking fluids, so that is what they will be keeping a close eye on. If contractions begin, there are medications they will begin to try and stop labor at that point.
We did find out during the sonogram that our baby girls are identical, both sharing the same placenta. The doctor was "very sure" of this (this was the first time we've heard this for certainty) & proceeded to show some concern over one baby having slightly less fluid than the other. I wrote this off as something small since he did not elaborate at that time. I was much more concerned about my cervix & was scared these babies would fall out of me at any moment. The doctor assured me this would not happen and that I am doing the best thing I can at this moment by just staying horizontal. I left the room pretty hysterical.
The next morning the perionatologist came in & wanted to further discuss the sonogram findings. He first told me to promise him "not get on the internet." (He's quickly learned that I want to know as much info as possible & obviously have too much time on my hands) I agreed & he proceeded to tell me that he strongly suspects that our babies have what is called Twin to Twin Transfusion. Evidently he had known this the day prior but decided I was unable to digest all this bad news at once. For this I am thankful! This was the first time that bad news didn't hit me like a ton of bricks. For some reason I have researched & konwn about this diagnosis from the time we learned we were having twins & I'd all the time instinctively felt we were having identical babies. (Twin to Twin Transfusion only occurs in 5-17% of identical twins) We also know a couple that had the same diagnosis given to their girls & they thrived, overcoming all odds. Although this can be a devastating diagnosis, fortunately our babies have just now begun showing signs of it at 24 weeks & have been very close in size up to this point. The day we came in they measured 1.1 & 1.4 lbs. They should have grown approximately 4 oz this week! The doctor will be closely monitoring their growth twice weekly by sonography to make sure they are safe developing inside the womb.
Friday we had a follow up sonogram & everything was the same as Tuesday-No changes! This was the first time I didn't leave his office shaking violently. Praise the Lord!
Today we had a scare as I was on the contraction monitor, simultaneously monitoring the babies heart rates. As I watched, the flat line began jumping up & back down again, showing contractions every minute of so. The nurses quickly came in & brought the doctor who ordered a digital examination of my cervix to check for dilation. Again, I about lost it. I need to make it a few more weeks at Least! Great news~No dilation! There are various reasons for this to happen evidently-not staying hydrated enough, babies growing, stretching of uterus. After drinking a LOT of water, laying down a while & trying to relax, everything settled down. Tonight everything has looked fabulous! Our girls have also had hiccups all day today on & off for the first time. It was glorious! I just know they are growing stronger each day & are going to be our miracle babies. They already are
This week has been a whirlwind to say the least, with seemingly more bad news day after day. On Monday we finished the injections for the babies' lungs (I'll get another injection next week). On Tuesday, we had a sonogram to see if the medicine they'd been giving me was strengthening my cervix & check dilation. Unfortunately we didn't get the news we were hoping. My cervix is now thinned out completely with 1 cm dilation. I was scared to death.
The doctor has stopped the medicine since it was not working and it is now just a waiting game. Thankfully I have not been having contracctions & no leaking fluids, so that is what they will be keeping a close eye on. If contractions begin, there are medications they will begin to try and stop labor at that point.
We did find out during the sonogram that our baby girls are identical, both sharing the same placenta. The doctor was "very sure" of this (this was the first time we've heard this for certainty) & proceeded to show some concern over one baby having slightly less fluid than the other. I wrote this off as something small since he did not elaborate at that time. I was much more concerned about my cervix & was scared these babies would fall out of me at any moment. The doctor assured me this would not happen and that I am doing the best thing I can at this moment by just staying horizontal. I left the room pretty hysterical.
The next morning the perionatologist came in & wanted to further discuss the sonogram findings. He first told me to promise him "not get on the internet." (He's quickly learned that I want to know as much info as possible & obviously have too much time on my hands) I agreed & he proceeded to tell me that he strongly suspects that our babies have what is called Twin to Twin Transfusion. Evidently he had known this the day prior but decided I was unable to digest all this bad news at once. For this I am thankful! This was the first time that bad news didn't hit me like a ton of bricks. For some reason I have researched & konwn about this diagnosis from the time we learned we were having twins & I'd all the time instinctively felt we were having identical babies. (Twin to Twin Transfusion only occurs in 5-17% of identical twins) We also know a couple that had the same diagnosis given to their girls & they thrived, overcoming all odds. Although this can be a devastating diagnosis, fortunately our babies have just now begun showing signs of it at 24 weeks & have been very close in size up to this point. The day we came in they measured 1.1 & 1.4 lbs. They should have grown approximately 4 oz this week! The doctor will be closely monitoring their growth twice weekly by sonography to make sure they are safe developing inside the womb.
Friday we had a follow up sonogram & everything was the same as Tuesday-No changes! This was the first time I didn't leave his office shaking violently. Praise the Lord!
Today we had a scare as I was on the contraction monitor, simultaneously monitoring the babies heart rates. As I watched, the flat line began jumping up & back down again, showing contractions every minute of so. The nurses quickly came in & brought the doctor who ordered a digital examination of my cervix to check for dilation. Again, I about lost it. I need to make it a few more weeks at Least! Great news~No dilation! There are various reasons for this to happen evidently-not staying hydrated enough, babies growing, stretching of uterus. After drinking a LOT of water, laying down a while & trying to relax, everything settled down. Tonight everything has looked fabulous! Our girls have also had hiccups all day today on & off for the first time. It was glorious! I just know they are growing stronger each day & are going to be our miracle babies. They already are
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Hope for a Miracle
As most of you know by now, we are beginning a potentially long stay in the hospital due to preterm labor. Healthy babies, unfortunately living in my incompetent cervix.. Here's the story so far in a nutshell for those of you that are interested in the details of our situation.
Thursday Feb 10: Routine check up, no dilation & everything looked great. I was originally scheduled for a sono this day, however with rescheduling due to last week's snow storm, there was a mix up & no sono was scheduled. Dr B said she wanted one ASAP, but may have to wait until next visit due to their busy schedule. Fortunately, they happened to have an opening right away & got me in. Miracle #1. That was when the first shock was quickly identified. The sono tech stated that he was very sorry but my cervix was extremely thinned & I was having "funneling". My cervix had thinned from 4 cm down to 1.19 cm. Essentially, our baby girls were "falling out" of my cervix because my body could not hold them. Trembling, they walked me back to lay down & wait for my doctor to come in & talk about options. After performing a FFN test (ID's preterm labor within the next 2 weeks) she immediately sent me to Harris Methodist FW for further observation by a Perionatologist. She assured me I would have the best specialist she knows meeting me there & that the two of them will not let us lose these babies today. HOPE
After arriving at the hospital, our results were back from the FFn test-Negative! That's negative for the protein that would tell that I was going into labor in the next 2 weeks. More HOPE. The next sono with the specialist gave us more grave news quickly after this. Following the sono, he sat me up, turned the monitor toward me, & pointed to a new devastating number that my mind could not comprehend- .52 cm "That is the length of your cervix" he said.
After having a spell of almost passing out on the table, he began telling me our options, along with the most current research with situations similiar to mine. We decided on the following treatment plan for the time being, & that is where we are today:
#1 Bedrest for 1 month in hospital (re-evaluate if I remain pregnant that long)
#2 Motrin for 3 days to decrease current uterus irritability
#3 Progesterone suppositories to (hopefully) improve cervix strength
#4 Betamethasone injections (to improve babies' lung development if we make it to 24 wks)
Today, Sunday, we made our first milestone of 24 weeks! That means we received our first beta injections for the babies' lung development. If blessed to wake up pregnant another day, I'll have the last injections tomorrow. So far, so good. And I am confident to be in the very best hands here. Not to mention the flood of texts, emails, calls, & FB messages from those praying fervently for our baby girls. We are eternally grateful & ask that you please continue lifting up these babies. Ok, that's about the extent of the details over the past 4 days. Feeling hopeful & trusting our Savior loves these little girls more than we can even imagine loving them. Either way this journey goes, he is paving a road for His glory. That's about all I do know at this point. But maybe that's enough.
Thursday Feb 10: Routine check up, no dilation & everything looked great. I was originally scheduled for a sono this day, however with rescheduling due to last week's snow storm, there was a mix up & no sono was scheduled. Dr B said she wanted one ASAP, but may have to wait until next visit due to their busy schedule. Fortunately, they happened to have an opening right away & got me in. Miracle #1. That was when the first shock was quickly identified. The sono tech stated that he was very sorry but my cervix was extremely thinned & I was having "funneling". My cervix had thinned from 4 cm down to 1.19 cm. Essentially, our baby girls were "falling out" of my cervix because my body could not hold them. Trembling, they walked me back to lay down & wait for my doctor to come in & talk about options. After performing a FFN test (ID's preterm labor within the next 2 weeks) she immediately sent me to Harris Methodist FW for further observation by a Perionatologist. She assured me I would have the best specialist she knows meeting me there & that the two of them will not let us lose these babies today. HOPE
After arriving at the hospital, our results were back from the FFn test-Negative! That's negative for the protein that would tell that I was going into labor in the next 2 weeks. More HOPE. The next sono with the specialist gave us more grave news quickly after this. Following the sono, he sat me up, turned the monitor toward me, & pointed to a new devastating number that my mind could not comprehend- .52 cm "That is the length of your cervix" he said.
After having a spell of almost passing out on the table, he began telling me our options, along with the most current research with situations similiar to mine. We decided on the following treatment plan for the time being, & that is where we are today:
#1 Bedrest for 1 month in hospital (re-evaluate if I remain pregnant that long)
#2 Motrin for 3 days to decrease current uterus irritability
#3 Progesterone suppositories to (hopefully) improve cervix strength
#4 Betamethasone injections (to improve babies' lung development if we make it to 24 wks)
Today, Sunday, we made our first milestone of 24 weeks! That means we received our first beta injections for the babies' lung development. If blessed to wake up pregnant another day, I'll have the last injections tomorrow. So far, so good. And I am confident to be in the very best hands here. Not to mention the flood of texts, emails, calls, & FB messages from those praying fervently for our baby girls. We are eternally grateful & ask that you please continue lifting up these babies. Ok, that's about the extent of the details over the past 4 days. Feeling hopeful & trusting our Savior loves these little girls more than we can even imagine loving them. Either way this journey goes, he is paving a road for His glory. That's about all I do know at this point. But maybe that's enough.
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