Baby M
20 February
"You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." Psalm 139: 13 & 14
We had a routine ultrasound to check up on this sweet baby on Tuesday. Later that day, I received a call from my doctor saying that they had found a cystic hygroma on baby's leg/groin. This could mean many different things, and I needed to head to the children's hospital in Iowa City for a level 2 ultrasound on Friday. The ultrasound there showed the cystic (fluid-filled) mass is pretty large- it starts around baby's hip and extends to his/her knee. It's caused by an error in baby's lymphatic system during development, and they won't do anything about it until after baby is born. The heart and the brain both looked healthy and there is no fluid around them, which was a major concern. There is fluid in baby's belly, which would be drained after baby is born. It could put added pressure on the heart, however, so everything will be closely monitored. The ultrasound also showed increased levels in the blood flow from the middle artery in the brain. The ob was worried about this number, as it could indicate that the baby has a low blood count, which would end in still birth.
The next plan of action is to head back to the children's hospital on Monday morning. We will have another ultrasound to check the blood levels from the middle artery again. If they are still high, we will have a cordocentesis done, where a needle is inserted into my stomach and then into the umbilical cord to take a blood sample. If a low blood count is confirmed, the baby will then receive blood transfusions the same way.
Yes, this information was all very shocking to hear. Ben and I have always been amazed at how a baby can develop perfectly inside a mother's womb, when so many things could go wrong. We are now experiencing the worry and fear that comes along with discovering that something did, in fact, go wrong. But along with that worry and fear comes a peace that only God can give. We know that He was the one who created this life, and He is the one who can choose what to do with it. The road ahead is uncertain, but we put our trust in the One who promises to never leave us or forsake us.
3 comments
Ohhhh sweet momma!! Praying for 1) that crazy belly button needle experience to not happen & 2) that you will all have comfort & strength in this trial. Huge Hugs & much love xxoo
ReplyDeleteThanks Alison! Thankfully, the blood levels were in the normal range, so didn't need that crazy needle-into-umbilical-cord experience! Had an amniocentesis, though...and that was bad enough. Still an uphill battle for baby, but we're just taking it week by week and feeling incredibly thankful for all the prayers!
DeleteLove you and your sweet baby:). And you know I am praying for you!
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