Baby

We are 22 weeks along right now with our third child.

2 weeks ago at the 20 week anatomy ultrasound, we found out that She (yes, its a girl) is not growing correctly and there is low amniotic fluid. She was and still is continuing to measure 4 weeks behind in the 1st-2nd percentile. We were given 3 potential reasons for the lack of growth- an infection that I caught and passed along to her, she could have a chromosomal abnormality, or my placenta could not be doing it's job correctly.
We were immediately sent to meet with a genetics counselor where we were told of all the potential abnormalities. Due to the fluid levels, an amniocentesis was not an option, however, there is a blood test that is fairly new called verifi that can detect many (but not all chromosomal abnormalities with a fairly high accuracy rate in detection)

Here is more information on the verifi prenatal test - http://www.verinata.com/providers/provider-overview/

After a very very long week, we were told that I don't have the possible infections tested for (things like Toxoplasmosis, Fifth's disease, Cytomegalovirus (CMV)) and that the results of the verifi prenatal test were normal. Again, the verifi is NOT completely accurate and does not detect things like Triploidy which is a chromosomal abnormality not compatible with life. The only way to be 100% sure is an amnio, but that isn't an option for us.

The ultrasounds so far have shown no other abnormalities in the baby, just slow growth and low fluid. The heart, brain, kidneys, stomach, etc. all seem to be functioning properly. This leaves us with a pretty severe case of IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction). Baby girl is not getting the adequate nutrients she needs from the placenta.

Right now, the only things I can do is drink tons of water, eat a balanced diet, and just pray that she is able to get enough nutrition through my apparently defective placenta. It is a rough place to be in and we are just taking it one day at a time hoping that we can make it to a point of viability for her. She would need to be both at least 500 grams (over a pound) and past 24 weeks in order to have a fighting chance. She is currently about 6 oz or 170 grams at 21 1/2 weeks. It is not likely for her to be 500 grams for several more weeks which is complicated because the placenta is not functioning properly, and as a result some point in the very near future (could be tomorrow or could be 8 weeks from now) there will be decreased blood flow in the uterus and placenta. This will be closely monitored by checking the blood flow in the umbilical cord weekly via ultrasound. Once there is no blood flow, immediate delivery is imminent regardless of gestational age or weight. We also are told that there is a high rate of stillbirth with babies with severe IUGR and we need to be aware of that as we go into our weekly appointments.

At this point, all we ask for is prayers for peace and comfort whatever our future holds. We pray that baby girl fights and is able to have a chance of life on this earth. Her mommy, daddy, sister and brother love her so so much.