(This was a day with three updates sent. They appear in the order they were sent, but the evening update contained all the information.)
Sent at 9:57am
Missy and baby fine. going for tests right now. love you all.
thank you all for your concern and love.
PS. it is just blood pressure not preeclampsia.
PPS. test is ultrasound and blood flow. will have more later.
Sent at 12:07pm
Well, the test didn’t go well or it did.
Again, everyone needs to know I have a love/hate relationship with the high risk doctors.
This morning our doctor, Dr. Beartlesmeyeriammessingupthespellling, explained to Missy that today is a waiting day. No changing medicine. No delivery. No nothing. It is a wait and see day. He did schedule a cord blood flow test.
The test measures the flow from Missy to Tommy through the cord. Test takes 10 minutes and is basically an ultrasound.
After, we’re waiting for the results and a transport person comes in to take Missy up. We explain we didn’t talk to the doctor, so as we’re being wheeled out we saw the doctor. Dr. Moore. The more conservative doctor. I always feel like she thinks, “We have to do something now!!!!!” Ours doctor is the surfer, zen one. Even keel, don’t rush.
Dr. Moore explains that Missy’s blood pressure might be too low now or too high or something. They have no idea. The blood flow didn’t look ideal, but there was no explanation of why or how.
As we left, Dr Moore told us Missy shouldn’t eat or drink anything. Dr. Webb, another doctor in the practice who is the super optimistic guy, was on the phone with Dr. B (our doctor) explaining things to him. They all work in the same group, so they know each other very well.
Oh, super.
We came upstairs and both of us realized we’re very blessed we got this far, the steroids are in and Tommy looks great for his age. Missy took a shower in something that looked like it came from Star Trek. I wanted to send a pic, but Missy told me I couldn’t send one of her showering.
After the shower we had just a fantastic talk with our nurse. She has worked as a nurse for years and explained the test results came back with no new orders. The test looked fine with nothing shocking. Weird, eh.
Our nurse explained that if anything was an emergency or imminent she would have received orders ASAP and the neonatologists would be here.
No new orders and the doctors did not appear.
Missy and she decided it was OK to finish breakfast, which made Missy very happy.
We’re in a holding pattern and we’re OK with this. We know there is no normal right now. lol
Missy and I are so thankful for getting the steroids in and seeing Tommy on the ultrasound today.
Love you all.
Sent at 12:27pm
Missy wanted me to include the following:
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She doesn’t have preeclampsia.
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We are in the hospital until we deliver.
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She appreciates everyone’s concerns and thoughts.
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She will make sure I run through all emails with her before sending.
Sent at 5:14pm
No changes. Missy had a long day and finally sleeping. Love you
Sent at 10:08pm
Summary: Tommy probably coming tomorrow. If not tomorrow, he will very, very soon.
Good evening …
Today was a good day overall, but the blood flow test came back and showed that there isn’t the volume or pressure of blood getting to Tommy they would like to see. This is typical of patients with high blood pressure outside pregnancy or the beginning signs of preeclampsia.
This afternoon Missy was very tired, so I brought Shannon in for a quick visit after school and then we headed out. Missy slept a little until our doctor, Doctor Bartelicannotspellit, came in. His first words are sort of upsetting:
“I think we’re going to be done tomorrow.”
Now, I don’t know about you, but the proper usage of the word done is in relation to cooking almost exclusively. Boy, that sure upset Missy.
Yes, I am being funny about something pretty bummerific.
The doctor began explaining to Missy that Tommy was being delivered tomorrow, but then was paged and had to leave. Missy called me at home and I immediately left when Cassie arrived to watch Shannon.
I arrived around 6:45pm and the doctor finally came back at 8:30pm. We occupied our time while waited by paying bills and watching the Cardinals. Missy is our CFO, so if she isn’t at home to pay the bills, we end up in the street.
The doctor explained the following:
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Missy’s health is fine.
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Tommy appears to be fine.
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The blood flow study, which shows the pressure and volume of blood from Missy to Tommy was not what they want to see.
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Tommy’s heart rate is dipping occasionally going from 130 to 90ish. This isn’t a good thing.
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Tommy’s heart rate isn’t jumping. Most older babies (30+ weeks) will show jumps in heart rate from time to time. Tommy’s doesn’t do this being at 27 weeks.
The doctor laid out his plan which is best summed up by saying that not one thing right now would cause him to deliver. It is a combination of things based on the health of Tommy not Missy. Missy is doing great considering she is on a ton of heart medicine.
Tommy, from what everyone can see, is doing fine. He has enough room, there is enough liquid in the sack, etc. Missy wanted me to say “amniotic fluid”, but I prefer liquid in the sack.
The doctor’s plan is to redo the blood flow test tomorrow and do something called a fetal profile. The profile takes into consideration a variety of factors.
Missy cannot eat anything past midnight, so she’s enjoying cookies and milk. The blood flow test will be anywhere from 8am to 10am. After that we should know pretty quickly if delivery will happen or not.
Then again, if his heart rate drops throughout the night he could be delivered overnight.
Missy and I just want the best possible chance for Tommy to be healthy. At midnight tonight he’ll have the full benefit of the steroids and an extra day inside Mom.
If Tommy is delivered tomorrow, I will ensure everyone is updated.
How are we doing? Pretty good. We always knew it would be an early delivery and we’ve gone through this four times now. We think 10/10 is an awesome birthday to have, but then 10/11 would rock, too.
All I can say is that the sacrifice Missy has made during this time is truly something I am grateful for. We had a 5% chance of conception, but a 100% chance of early delivery. Missy accepted this and with full gusto, she’s put her life on hold to nurture and grow our baby.
Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts. Love you all!
Details and Thoughts
Steroids are Critical
Premature babies used to experience a high mortality rate for a simple reason: they couldn’t breathe. The air sacks inside their lungs weren’t developed enough leading to RDS.
The steroids given to the mother through injection are spaced either 12 or 24 hours apart and encourage the fetus to finish lung development. The steroids cause a stress reaction to induce lung development. The longer the baby remains inside the womb with the steroids, the better the outcome.
Our Path to Baby Four
Tommy is our fourth child and is the only surviving child unplanned and not helped by any fertility aids. We consider him our gift and miracle.