Today I had my 23 week ultrasound with the high risk OB, Dr. Wilson Huang. I also had a fetal echo cardiogram. Mike ran over during his lunch break to meet Jasper and I for the big appointment.
A normal umbilical cord has 1 blood vessel and 2 arteries. Mine has 1 blood vessel but only 1 artery. This is a soft marker for Down's Syndrome. Coupled with some blood work that I had come back a couple months ago showing a very high risk for Down Syndrome, we were really worried.
A lot of babies with Down Syndrome have heart problems. If our baby's heart showed problems today during the fetal echo cardiogram, then it would be a huge indicator for Down Syndrome. I have thought that if our baby does have Down Syndrome, it would be easier to deal with if our baby didn't also have major heart problems too. The heart problems really scare me.After measuring everything possible on the baby's body and doing a fetal echo cardiogram I am THRILLED to report that our baby boy looks great! Our baby is 1 lb 2 oz and busy as can be.
The Single Umbilical Artery (SUA) could mean an early delivery if fetal circulation isn't doing well or if the baby isn't growing enough. But, I could also go full term. I'm going to be prepared to have the baby a month or so early, and hope for the best.
Because I had a sub-clavian DVT (big, bad, blood clot in my chest that was nearly fatal) when I was 34 weeks pregnant with Jasper, I am on anti-coagulant (blood thinner) shots daily.
I started taking anti-coagulant shots when I was 5 weeks pregnant, and since I was 11 weeks I've been on a new medicine called Fondaprinux. I have a food allergy to pork, so when I took shots of the more common medicines like Lovenox, Heparin or even a newer shot called Fragmin, I got HUGE softball size bright red welts at every injection site. Fondaparinux is made from beef, not pork like all of the others. My shots are $130 per day and we feel so blessed that after much pleading and some tears on my part, our insurance covers them.
I feel so relieved after the ultrasound today. I am so happy and getting more excited by the minute!
It is all sinking in. We really are having a baby. After FIVE years of waiting, we really are having a baby. I feel so blessed for this miracle in our lives.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
