2nd follow-up in Cincinnati

Yesterday was quite a day. We left our house around 5am to make our 8:30am ultrasound appointment, making most of the drive in the dark. I was so excited/nervous about the day, I don't think I slept a wink there. As soon as the U/S began we could see the girls both looked good, moving and causing problems for the poor sonographer. She checked their fluid levels and we were blown away! Elise actually had more fluid than Anne-Claire in the original measurement! I'd been praying for God to astonish the doctors and He did not disappoint. The final measurements for the deepest vertical pocket of fluid were 5.6cm for Anne-Claire and 5.0 for Elise. Great news! The hope with the amnioreduction was for the fluid levels to equalize and that's exactly what's happened. The dopplers all looked good except for the umbilical cord of Elise, which still shows absent flow. The maternal-fetal medicine specialist came in to talk to us and basically said if things continued in this positive direction, there was not much more they can do for us in Cincinnati--Praise God! He is still concerned with Elise's absent blood flow, which is likely more to do with the placental insufficiency than TTTS. Unfortunately, there is not a medical solution to resolve PI except for bedrest and nutrition to maximize what she does get.

We left that office with 3 hours to kill before the ECHO was scheduled. We killed some time in a park so that I could rest and then went to lunch. We laughed because lunch only took us 30 minutes. The ECHO was more difficult on me this time. I was not able to lie flat because I was having a hard time getting any air, so they let me lie on my left side. It was still pretty uncomfortable but thankfully, didn't last too long. Unfortunately, we ended up with another 3 hours before our meeting with the surgeon. The Fetal Care Center did have a nesting room available so we went there and I napped for a couple of hours.

As the hours passed I got more nervous. For some reason I thought that because last week we got the good news early that there might be a reason we were going to be late getting our news this time. An irrational mind, I know, but it's really what went through my head. I got up several times to use the restroom and had to pass the conference room where another family was having their initial conference with the team. I was overwhelmed with empathy, knowing how horrifying it is to hear news that your baby(ies) are in danger. I immediately began praying for that family and their baby(ies) and the Lord used that time to calm my own anxieties.

It was close to 6pm before the surgeon and a resident came in to talk to us. He cut to the chase right away and told us the ECHO looked good. I exclaimed, "Praise God!" and almost jumped out of my seat to hug and kiss the doctor. I restrained myself and listened as the doctor explained that Anne-Claire's right ventricle score had gone from .49 to .46 (great) and her left ventricle score went up slightly but remained within normal range. He was so encouraged that he said they'd decided if everything continued to look good during the next round of tests (Tuesday, March 31), we can begin going to the MFM in Indy for weekly ultrasounds instead of driving to Cincy. Wonderful news!

We asked him several questions about Elise's placental insufficiency and he told us that we would begin seeing some warning signs if she was deteriorating. Lack of growth and severe anemia being the most critical signs. I asked him if he could give us an estimate on how far along I might get before the placenta would stop working and we'd need to deliver and he couldn't say. Some babies are able to make it to full-term, however, which would be fabulous. He also told us that if she begins suffering from severe anemia we could do a blood transfusion in utero that would put both babies at risk of preterm delivery but might be worth the risk. For now, we're thankful that aside from the absent flow in her cord, she seems to be doing well. My prayer is that whatever rest and nutrition I'm able to get will be multiplied in value for Elise--think oil in jar and loaves and fishes. It would be a cinch for God.

Finally, I want to publicly thank all of the wonderful ladies and their families who are sacrificing to serve us during this time. I continue to be humbled by your generosity and kindness. God is using you not only to serve us physically but to put my pride to death and to lift my spirit.

Prayer requests:
1) that Anne-Claire's heart would remain stable and Elise would not show signs of anemia;

2) that my rest and nutrition would be multiplied, especially for Elise so that she can grow like she needs to;

3) that I would remain pregnant for many more weeks, getting at least to 28 weeks and hopefully to 32 or beyond (I'm 23 right now.);

4) that I would have an extra measure of understanding and patience toward my husband who is bearing more burdens than those involving the babies;

5) that our faith would continue to grow; and

6) that Emma and Charlotte woud continue to handle this all so well.