23 Week Update

We had our 23 week ultrasound check at U of M yesterday (Tues 1/12). It went great!!

The ultrasound showed right away the blood vessels coming out of his heart that couldn't be seen the week before. Huge relief. Still no fluid around the heart, and normal amniotic fluid levels, which is great. More amazing news... the bladder volume went DOWN!! At U of M they have the ability to calculate the fluid volume inside of the bladder. 2 weeks ago, it was at 244 cc's. That is the size of a normal adult bladder. This week, it went down to 187 cc's. Pretty significant decrease! Dr. Treadwell said she thought that the obstruction may have blown out (miracle!) or it could be a partial obstruction that releases when the pressure builds up. Either way... great news. The smaller volume also decreases the pressure on the entire chest cavity which gives those organs more room to grow. Dr. Treadwell was very pleased with everything she saw!

I brought up the fact that just 3 weeks ago, we were told down there by a different doctor that he didn't think our baby had a very good chance at surviving, and he asked if we wanted to end our pregnancy. She got a surprised look on her face, and she told us that she thinks our baby has a great chance. She said there are certainly still some big concerns. The major ones being probable kidney damage and the possibility of lung damage... But with what we can see, she thinks chances are really high of a great outcome. What a relief it was to hear that.

We will most likely be delivering at U of M and be staying in the NICU for awhile. The plan will probably be to be induced right around 38 weeks, and we'll have the right doctors there when needed. One of the neonatologists were in the room with us during the ultrasound and visit with the doctor. She briefly went over what to expect right after delivery. They will have a team of pediatric specialists there at birth to immediately evaluate him and figure out what the best treatment will be. There will possibly be bladder surgery and maybe one to remove an obstruction if necessary. They'll be watching the lungs closely to make sure they're working well. She threw a ton of information out, and it's hard to remember everything she said... but we are sitting down for a neonatologist appointment at our next visit to go over everything in detail. We will also be meeting with a social worker to discuss our stay down there. The following visit, we will be meeting with a pediatric urologist as well. I really feel like we are in the best hands down there.

Seriously relieved after this visit... I know this is still a serious situation for our little guy, but I now feel the most hope for a great outcome than I have since we found out about this. We truly appreciate all of the prayers... and I believe that God has begun healing our little guy! If the obstruction didn't release, this could be much, much worse. So, thank you Jesus!

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1