Baby Update

Sorry, this is a wordy baby update:
(scroll to the bottom of this post for a VERY SHORT version of the Baby Update)

This picture has nothing to do with our baby update...a picture of the kids on our crazy road trip!

Things have been a little intense around here as we waited to find out more information about our baby. We are currently expecting baby number five but I have been nervous about this pregnancy for various reasons.
Three weeks ago I found out I screened positive for Down Syndrome on my quad screen (serum analyte blood screen) for this pregnancy and we've been very stressed about it ever since. The only way to find out more was to get a stage two ultrasound or some kind of further testing.  We had to wait about two weeks to be seen by a specialist that could offer up any more information.  The only day they could get us in was the day we were planning to leave for our two week road trip vacation.  And we had already booked hotels along the way so we didn't have a lot of wiggle room.  We went to the doctor that afternoon (Wednesday) and had a bunch of testing done before we left on our road trip.  It made for a strange and stressful beginning to our vacation.

First I met with a genetic counselor.  I have met with this counselor a few times already for this pregnancy and the previous one.  So she already knew my whole history.  It was a short visit and I decided just to get a genetic test done that only involves a blood draw and would not pose any risk to the pregnancy, but that would tell us if the baby had Down Syndrome.  I went ahead and had the blood drawn and they also did a more in depth ultrasound.

During the ultrasound they found that the baby is measuring quite a bit small - I'm 20 weeks along and the baby was only measuring about 17 1/2 weeks.  And the growth had been on track at 12 weeks.  

A group of doctors came in and strongly recommended that I now get the amniocentesis done, even though I wasn't planning to before, because it could help us learn what may be causing this growth problem.  So I ended up getting an amnio too.  It was unpleasant.

From what the doctors told me and information I learned on my own via the internet I found there are four main reasons for a growth problem like this.

1) a chromosomal abnormality (like Down Syndrome or something else)

2) an infection

3) a problem with the placenta or preeclampsia causing a problem with the placenta

4) the baby is fine, but just small

After a very stressful two days of waiting (while on vacation) on Friday we got the initial results of some of the testing.  The good news is I tested negative for Down Syndrome and a few other chromosomal defects that they checked for in the initial amnio screen (they are getting full up results that will be available later).  I also tested negative for an infection.  The bad news is we don't really know what is causing the growth problem.  My non-professional opinion is that something is wrong with the placenta because they also said the placenta looked large and abnormal during the ultrasound.  From what little I know, if there is a problem with the function of the placenta it could lead to losing the baby or having to deliver VERY early, like as early as possible (27 weeks or so).  If the placenta is not functioning right, the baby just doesn't get enough nutrients to continue to grow.  The doctors I saw for the testing now want me to come in to St. Louis every three weeks for the remainder of the pregnancy so they can monitor the growth of the baby and determine if drastic steps need to be taken.

So, this is all a lot to take in, but I am feeling hopeful that we will still be able to have a healthy baby at the end of all this.  And I'm glad that at least some of the most common genetic defects are now ruled out.  We're just hoping and praying the baby can continue to grow and the pregnancy can continue. Part of me wonders if the stress of all this uncertainty has played a part in any of this.  The baby is measuring 17 1/2 weeks and that's how far along I was when I found out about the positive Down Syndrome screen.  And I have had no appetite, had trouble sleeping and been generally beside myself with worry since then.  I know that's probably crazy - like I really don't think the baby would just stop growing because of stress - but I am now going to make a concerted effort to take better care of myself and make sure I am eating and drinking enough.

On one last positive note, we were able to find out the gender of the baby and we are super excited to know that we are expecting a baby girl!  We're hoping and praying she makes it here safely!!

***VERY SHORT Baby Update***
We are expecting a baby in November and have been worried that the baby would be ok.
Three weeks ago we found out I screened positive for Down Syndrome.
Last week I had an ultrasound and amnio and found out the baby doesn't have Down Syndrome but is measuring very small.  The doctors want me to come in every three weeks to check and make sure the baby is continuing to grow.  We also found out we are expecting a girl and are excited about that!