Yesterdays Appointment

Okay…the findings from yesterdays appointment…

From our understanding the things that were found are minimal, not great and it certainly doesn't mean that we're able to rest assured but they could have definitely been worse. I'll take that as answered prayers!

The things found consist of Eva having a strawberry shaped head (Strawberry-Shaped Head : Many children with trisomies have unusually shaped skulls. The shape of the skull in and of itself does not denote any underlying problem).

Her hands appear clenched with the third and fourth fingers overlapping each other and/or may be fused together. (Clenched fists : A characteristic sign of trisomy 18 is the clenching of one or both hands, with the second finger overlapping the third and the fifth finger overlapping the fourth).

Her feet appear to be flat and "rocker bottom" (Rocker-Bottom Feet : A misformed foot shape. Can be corrected with manipulation and casting, or aided by corrective braces).

She has a cyst on her brain (Choroid Plexus Cysts : A cyst (or pocket of fluid) located on the brain. Although this can be a marker of a chromosomal abnormality, it is not, in and of itself, a guarantee of the condition). The doctor assured us that this cyst will dissolve before birth.

She has a small VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect : A hole between the lower chambers of the heart which prevents the heart from pumping blood correctly; a heart murmur is generally heard with this congenital defect) but the doctor made it seem like this was very minor.



I guess the major thing found was an excess amount of amniotic fluid. I am measuring 19 weeks from the outside but that is because of the amount of fluid on the inside. Eva's body is measuring a little over 17 weeks and her head a little over 18 (meaning that the extra fluid makes up for the rest of her that isn't measuring quite up to date).

Trisomy 18 causes the brainstem to not develop as it normally would resulting in defects that hinder swallowing, which can prohibit ingestion of the amniotic fluid, resulting in a build up of fluid. (Brainstem (located at the top of the spinal cord near the neck) is the most highly developed area of the brain at birth (in a normal baby). It controls all inborn reflexes such as crying, startling and suckling, and it regulates basic life functions such as breathing, blood pressure, heart rate and REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep). The doctor stated that due to the higher levels of fluid I could experience preterm labor. When I asked how preterm are we talking he said anywhere from 28-34 weeks. THIS CANNOT HAPPEN!

Therefore, after these findings I have changed my prayers. I am not necessarily praying for the complete and total healing (because I feel that He has indeed healed her in many ways already) but now for the specifics.

A. The closing of the hole in her heart or for it to remain small and not have any major issues pumping the blood to the right place.

B. The fluid to balance out and not increase so fast and for her sucking and swallowing abilities to improve.

C. To make it beyond 34 weeks and as long as possible w/ her heart still trucking along strong.

Now that's not too much to ask of God, right?"

Don't bargain w/ God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him w/ a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her w/ a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing--you're at least decent to your own children. And don't you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?" - The Message//Remix Bible

I have an appointment w/ a pediatric cardiologist for a fetal echocardiogram on Monday, November 26th, followed by a prenatal appointment and another ultrasound. I will then be scheduling an appointment w/ the neonatologist to discuss and prepare a birth plan for Eva after delivery. A birth plan for labor and delivery will be discuss and prepared w/ the OB doctor as well.

Lot's of things to come! I have volunteered to CCAC, as well as the Western School of Health and Business, to have their students perform ultrasound on me to educate their students on Trisomy 18 and to know what to look for. They have never had anyone call them and volunteer w/ such case and were very happy and grateful that I am willing and wanting to come in.

After speaking to a girl last weekend who had 4 ultrasounds w/ her last pregnancy and nothing was ever detected that her unborn son had Trisomy 13 (his heart was backwards w/ a large hole in it, he had 2 fingers on one hand and 6 on the other and was on life support for 4 days before making a heartbreaking decision). Had they have known something, anything prior to the time of delivery maybe something could have been done. Instead they had to explain the loss of the baby to their 2 other daughters as well as go home empty handed to a nursery that was already set up. I feel the need to do whatever I can for mothers like myself to be aware of such problems as early as possible. Not because of the termination factor but because the earlier something like this is detected the more time parents have to become educated, as well as to prepare themselves physically, mentally, emotionally and maybe even financially.

Please continue to pray for us and baby Eva.

I know that God hears all of our prayers!

Love, Chrissy