Baby Update

Life doesn't always go as planned:

I've wanted to write our roller coaster of a pregnancy down for awhile but have been putting it off because of the unknown. Right after our 20 week ultrasound (where we thought we were having a healthy baby boy) we got the news that the Dr. "spotted" something that wasn't quite right and wanted us to meet with a specialist right away. Luckily we only had to wait 3 days to meet the specialist who gave us the diagnosis that our sweet little boy has some sort of Bowel Obstruction. We say some sort because it's impossible to see and know everything while en uterine but there is a definite blockage in his bowel. My life turned upside down for awhile while my brain tried to process this information.

I am so grateful for technology that caught this problem early and for wonderful doctors whom I trust. We meet with 2 perinatologists from McKay Dee hospital who come to Logan once a week to meet with patients like us. We trust them both and feel like we are in good hands. (Even though each visit costs as much as our mortgage each month-thank heavens for insurance!)

There is absolutely nothing they can do for the baby until he is born and the exact problem cannot be determined until he is born and CAT scans, Xrays and further testing can be done. The plan is for me to deliver at the University of Utah hospital so that the baby can be taken over to Primary Children's Hospital for surgery, that same day most likely. Primary Children's hospital deals with the exact problem a lot so we are confident in the surgeons and staff members there. We are hoping they can fix his intestine in 1 surgery but there is always the possibility of more than 1. He could be at Primary's for 1 week or 1 month...or more. We won't know until after the first surgery.

We have frequent ultrasounds with the dr.s who are watching the size of the obstructions closely. They call the fluid build up in his intestine "pockets" or "cysts" and hope they decrease over time but as for now, they have increased. The blockage is not causing any problems for baby as of right now and hope it stays that way for quite some time. That being said, there is the potential for the fluid to become to much and could cause his intestine to burst and we don't want to go there. There is isn't need to deliver right now, thank goodness because I am only 27 weeks along and baby is only 2 1/2 lbs. But anytime after 30 weeks there will be little to no hesitation to deliver him after that, if necessary. Best case scenario is 37 weeks MAX but realistically hoping for 34 or 35 weeks. They do not want me to go into labor in Logan so everything will be scheduled to have the surgeons and neonatologists waiting and ready.

While this news has been hard for me I know we're being watched out for and guided. Neil's sister is a surgeon at U of U and has hand picked a wonderful pediatric surgeon for our baby boy. We will be meeting with him in the next couple of weeks to go over all the little details and ask lots of questions. We will be able to stay at the Ronald McDonald House connected to Primary's so I wont' have to leave his side. We also realized Neil's company has a second office minutes from the hospital so he will be able to continue working without being stuck in Logan should we need to be in SLC for an extended time.

Right now I see my OB for my care and the specialists for baby's care. Starting the middle of April I will say goodbye to the OB in Logan who has been overseeing my OB needs and start seeing the specialists in Ogden weekly. That is a lot of driving back and forth to Ogden but I'll do whatever it takes to give the baby the best care. The Dr.s think that after surgery the baby should be able to live a perfectly healthy, normal life as this problem is generally correctable and should have no lasting effects. We are very grateful for that news. In other good news, all of baby's other organs and etc are very healthy and perfect. Plus he is growing strong. Above normal actually! Carter was a "big" baby (8 lbs.) and looks like Brother will follow in his footsteps and we're hoping that will help him as he faces these obstacles.

We are very excited to meet "Brother" which is how he is mostly referred to in our house. Carter talks about all the toys he will share with him and all the things he will do to take care of brother. I have tons of basically brand new baby clothes saved from Carter that brother will get to take care over. I've wanted to buy him some new clothes just for him but with all the uncertainty I don't know what size to get. Especially for his coming home outfit. Will I be bringing home an 8 lb. baby like last time? Or a 5 lb. preemie? I know things like clothes don't really matter, but I am a planner so I hate not knowing all the details!

I'm horrible at taking belly shots and these are the only ones I have so far. This was taken a couple of weeks ago. I'm definitely much bigger with #2 than Carter. My stomach had no problem remembering where it needs to stretch to.

If all goes according to the new "Plan," baby will be here sometime in mid-May. I've got so much to get ready. We're hoping and praying things go smoothly and for the best.