Crossroads

After our four hour visit to the perinatalogist today, Randi and I believe that we are at a crossroads with the pregnancy, and our hands appear to be tied. Our cause for concern is beginning to be realized. There is a restriction of the diastolic flow of blood, the period of time when the heart is resting between beats, in Baby A's (Pooh's) heart. This is causing less nutrients to reach the baby and placenta, which is resulting in decreased growth. Baby B, or Tigger's diastolic blood flow has improved and he appears to be minimally affected by the condition, and is continuing to grow on a normal growth curve. However, Pooh is starting to show signs of growth restriction. His head and heart are looking great, but this is because the body diverts blood to these more needed areas first. The organ in his abdomen and extremities are having to fight harder than they need to for nutrientsm therefore resulting in him having a small belly. Tigger is measuring on target at 20 weeks, 5 days, when Pooh is measuring at 20 weeks, 1 day; with his head-to-belly ratio measuring a week behind. Pooh is weighing in at 11 ounces and Tigger at 14 ounces.

Like I said there appears to be little we can do. Randi has increased her folic acid and baby aspirin intake to keep the blood from becoming sluggish, and she is increasing her overall caloric intake to make sure that the blood that reaches the babies is of the highest nutritional potency it can be. We will revisit the perinatalogist in three weeks to closely monitor the situation, with an appointment with the OB squeezed in between those visits.

The prognosis is wide open. BEST CASE: The situation resolves itself. Both babies make it to 34-36 weeks or a due date of June 15Th. GOOD CASE: The situation holds and Pooh is slightly to moderately smaller than Tigger at birth at anywhere between 30-34 weeks, with time in the NICU. BAD CASE: The situation worsens with even less blood reaching Pooh and both babies being delivered between 26-29 weeks with extensive time in the NICU under close watch. WORST CASE: unthinkable.

So, with out hands bound we will take them, clasp them together, and lift them high towards heaven in prayer. We ask that you will do the same.