Mother's Intuition

We had the follow-up ultrasound. And, the really good news is that the baby's risk for Down's is still less than if I were 20 years old (1 in 1900). That is the gold standard for Down's risk, so, we are mostly relieved. They still offered us amnio to confirm one way or another, but, since the risk of complications (including miscarriage) from amnio is 1 in 390, we just could not justify the risk. Plus, amnio sounds painful and yucky, and I wouldn't want to do it unless I had a really good reason.

However, the two "soft" markers they saw last week were confirmed. There are apparently eleven different markers for Down's that they look at and it is not so much the "number" of markers as it is which markers are found. The biggest indications being the thickened neck, small limbs for the age of the baby, and a head/brain that is also behind in development. Our little guy had none of these indications -- and his head/brain is ahead of development (just like big brother Drew's was).

The bright spot on the heart is a calcification that does not impair function at all and just is. They spent a lot of time looking at the baby's heart (mild heart defects are another indication of Down's) -- they have cool technology to show the blood (in colors) flowing into and out of the four chambers. The baby's heart is absolutely fine -- no problems at all.

And, the water on the baby's kidneys was still there, and a little bit worse than last week. We will have a follow-up ultrasound at 34 weeks to see if the water has dissipated. If it has not, then the very worst outcome would be the baby needing surgery in his first year to correct the problem. But, the baby will thrive regardless and be just fine, and the surgery will be successful in correcting it.

Thank goodness we had the first trimester screening done, otherwise we would be sweating it out right now. That screening came back with fantastic numbers -- a 1 in 5200 chance of Down's. So, that really helped them more accurately revise the risk. Otherwise, they would be working with the average risk for my age -- 1 in approximately 500 or so and revising from there.

The whole experience was a little terrifying though -- they were 45-minutes late getting us into our appointment because they apparently had a bad morning and had to give more than one set of parents really bad news. There was a man crying out in the hallway, and it was just heart-wrenching to see and hear.

So, we know how lucky we are. And, we are trying to not look the "gift horse" in the mouth and wonder if the risks could bear out to affect us and our new little boy. I think that both of us feel so lucky to have such a wonderful little boy in Drew, that we are waiting for the other shoe to drop. But, perhaps there is no shoe and perhaps it is just a little squirt of water instead. :-)

It was cool to spend that much time looking at the little guy, though. I have been feeling him kick for some weeks now, and it was really awesome to feel him kick and see it on the ultrasound. I keep telling Brooke that the baby "told" me during the ultrasound that while he may have the kidney problem (he can't quite tell yet), he is fine otherwise and will be able to keep up with Drew every step of the way.

Brooke thinks I am crazy, but, I swear that Drew told me that he was going to be perfect during one of my ultrasounds with him. So, you know, mother's intuition. :-)