27 Weeks

Went to U of M on Monday 2/9, and baby boy is still stable and doing pretty well. Nothing much has changed since our last appointment, besides that his bladder went down to 48 ml. My amniotic fluid also went up from 26 to 28cm. I mentioned to the doc (a new doc we haven't met yet who was very nice) that I was having some major swelling in my legs and feet and she called in the nurse to get my blood pressure checked. It was 139/99 which is pretty high for this point in pregnancy. She said that after my appt with the pediatric urologist, she wanted me to go to triage for testing.

Met with Dr. Park who is one of the pediatric urologists at U of M, and he was wonderful. We've been explained what is going on with him by about 4 different docs, but he has done the best job making sense of everything. He drew diagrams for us and showed us exactly where the blockage likely is. He also said that he believes the bladder ruptured at some point, and it might just be a pinhole rupture, and that is why his abdomen has a lot of fluid pockets (ascites). He said it is a good thing that the pressure was taken off the kidneys and chest cavity, but the abdomen being full of fluid isn't great either. Better of the 2 though... so he said it's best we keep him in and growing as long as we can, and the pediatric team will be ready at birth with a plan. He said the first thing they will do is drain the urine with a catheter and do some testing on it. Next, they'll fill the bladder with a dyed fluid and watch on the ultrasound where exactly the fluid is traveling. If it is escaping the bladder and going into the abdomen, then they'll need to do surgery to repair that area. They'll also likely need to do surgery to remove the blockage, but that is a fairly simple procedure (does require anesthesia). The ureters might need some work too since they are so enlarged. He said most everything is repairable, except for kidney function. He does believe there is some degree of damage, but we won't know how much until he's born. He may have bladder issues down the road as well... but again, we won't know that for awhile. It was great to talk to him, He's one of the best in the world!

After that meeting, I was sent to triage where I got to wear an awesome hospital gown and get hooked up to monitors. They had one for blood pressure, my pulse, and baby's heart rate (non-stress test). They had me give a urine sample to test for protein and they took blood. My blood pressure was still high, so they had me lay on my left side which helped bring it down. I felt totally fine the whole time. After 2 hours, the labs came back and everything was normal. There is a chance preeclampsia could develop, so they'll be checking my blood pressure at every appointment. A lady from church has a blood pressure cuff she's going to let me borrow too so I can check it home. I'm trying to take it easy and take breaks throughout the day to rest. I definitely don't want to place any unnecessary stress on our little guy.

Next appointment is Tuesday in TC, then we'll be back to U of M the following week on Friday 2/27. Have been seeing the chiropractor 2 times a week and my back is feeling so much better. Very thankful for that... About 2.5 months left!!

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

26 Week Update

Had our 26 week check on Friday down at U of M. Good news is that the bladder is continuing to decrease in volume and is now down to 92 ml. Questionable news is that the amniotic fluid is TOO high... it is at 26cm and the top end of the normal range is 25. So it's not super high, but something that needs to be watched. Also, the ureters were slightly more dialated that before. Again, the doc did not know why. We had Dr Chames again, who we saw the first time. He was only in with us for a short time, and basically said that he's stable, but he still couldn't determine what is going on. He seemed to think there is something else big going on causing everything to happen... but he didn't know what.

After that, we met with the Neonatologist and she was great. She had a resident with her who we have met before and she is also very helpful and nice. They explained what will happen when he's born. We'll likely induce at 38 weeks so everyone who is needed will be there. I will deliver in the operating room so they have all of the equipment needed for him as well. If he is breathing right away, which they believe he won't have a problem with, then I'll be able to hold him for a few minutes before they take him and do a quick evaluation. Soon after, they'll start to do an ultrasound, some blood work, and kidney testing. The results of those tests will determine what comes next. They told us to expect to stay in the NICU for at least a week. Worst case senario is that his kidneys do not function and he needs to be on dialysis until he's big enough for a transplant (20-25 lbs)... dialysis would be about 12 hours every day. Really praying that isn't necessary and that his kidneys are functioning well at birth!

Pregnancy symptoms are full blown at this point for me. Seeing a chiropractor for my back pain, because I definitely don't want to get as bad as I did during the last pregnancy. It is much better now, but still achy. My ribs are super sore, and my feet and ankles (totally cankles) are very swollen. Sleeping is quite difficult... I wake up about every 1-2 hours and have to get up because my ribs/back can't take it. Crazy that we still have 12 weeks left! It's all ok though.... I will take all of this for our little guy!

Continuing to pray for complete healing!!!

26 Weeks