Not Sure What to Say

On Friday, we were given three potentials as to what we would see today. A.) The fluid would still be gone. B.) There would be some fluid back. C.) There would be just as much fluid as there was Friday. We were hoping for A or B, but sadly what we saw was C. It was hard to see that fluid back to where it was last Friday. We still do not know what is causing this, and I wish we did. So now we go to step 2, which is not what we wanted. I have another perinatology appt. on Thursday, where they may drain more fluid, but in the meantime, we will be in contact with St. Mark's hospital in Salt Lake with their fetal surgery team. They want to schedule an appointment for next Monday where they will meet with us, scan the baby and place a shunt. The shunt will be inserted through a huge needle (the amnio was a 20 gauge, and this one will be around a 14 gauge.) They carefully will insert the needle through my abdomen, through the uterus and placenta,  into his chest, straight to the pocket of fluid around the lungs. It will be coiled like a pig tail on the inside and outside of the chest, with tiny holes to drain the fluid out, using the pressure of the heart and lungs. It typically will last somewhere between 2-12 weeks, but it just depends on whether the shunt stays put, or if the baby moves it out of place. And with how active the baby is, having the shunt move would not surprise me.

There is about an 8-10% risk of the procedure starting labor or causing other problems which would mean having to have a c-section (not something we want.) I will be just over 26 weeks next Monday, and every day and week count critically right now. I was also given the first steroid shot to help the baby's lungs mature and will have another dose tomorrow. I have long term/short term goals for delivery. My ideal is 34+ weeks. My medium goal is 30+ weeks. My short term is 28+ weeks. It is just really hard to have a premature baby, as well as having Hydrops to further complicate the prematurity.

They checked the fluid they drained last week and although the test is not 100% accurate, the fluid was 97%
lymphocyte, which lends to the potential of the Hydrops being caused by chylothorax (Google chylothorax for further explanation) and it can be fixed with maturity typically. But we do not know. I also have another fetal echo scheduled next Tuesday to check for heart defects that we may not just be seeing. So basically, fluid back to what it was, not sure how quickly it came back, possible draining again this week, meet with the fetal surgery team at St. Marks next Monday, still not sure what is causing this, but waiting and preparing for this baby in case something happens.

It was hard to hear this news and not be disheartened. We still are hopeful, but at the same time very realistic of what could happen. Our doctor seemed discouraged that our little guy has taken this path. The harder part is that he will be going out of town for two weeks, and he will be missed since he truly knows this case so well, and he is very smart and kind. I am going to sign off, because I am pretty drained. These appointments just take a lot out of us. We are getting by and truly feel the strength of prayers and kindness shown toward us. So thank-you, and hopefully one of these days I will have something more positive to post :)