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Wednesday, May 9, 2012

16 weeks and a scare

So in my last update I said I had gotten a blood test done for abnormalities and was hoping to NOT get a call from the doctor.... well I did get the dreadful call from the doctor letting me know my AFP levels were elevated for the abnormality of spina bifida (a hole in the spine).
I was not expecting that call whatsoever. I had kind of forgotten about it. When I noticed the number I think my whole body went numb. The doctor said there would be a 1/24 chance the baby would have it and they would have to send us to a maternal fetal specialist (basically a high risk doctor) to get some better results.
So we went Tuesday morning hoping to get some definitive results. That unfortunately did not happen. The appointment was good in the fact we got to see baby Marchelle's heart beating, we got to see a perfect little brain, and sweet arms and legs. Unfortunately, the way the baby was positioned and the lack of flipping over, they could not get a great look at the lower spine (which was where they needed to look). The upper part was great. So it could be nothing or could still be something, we have to wait 3 more weeks to go back for a follow up. They want us to do an Amnio and I'm NOT doing that. There is a 1/200 chance that it would kill the baby. I'm sorry but our odds have not been good thus far, so we do not feel like taking that risk is worth finding out if there is a chromosomal disorder. We love this baby no matter what, regardless if there will be any issues. From here on out we will be consistently monitored as a high risk patient, which is fine. I really don't mind checking on the nugget more often. I have been so spoiled by getting to see the baby every 3 weeks. The appointment was a tad frustrating in the fact they told us the the elevated levels could mean a multitude of horrible things that could go wrong. I have recently learned that a lot of these tests come back as false positives and are optional to have. No one told me this beforehand and no one told me this was an option so looking back, I probably would have opted out of doing it.
But it is what is now and there is always a reason for everything, so for now we know that God has brought us this far and we are trusting Him to get us through no matter what the outcome may be.  

16 week bump


Profile


the baby says hi lovely blog readers, thanks for praying for me!


Clinging to this verse. Praying for the best outcome. 


Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.




11 comments:

Mallory said...

Saying a prayer for you and baby!

Catie said...

I had a false positive for the same thing when pregnant (he is 6 months now and 100% healthy and happy!) Sending prayers your way! :-)

Ashley said...

Praying everything works out for the best!~!! I believe it will!! One good thing is that you get to see the baby again!! ;)

E said...

What a precious picture of the baby waving. I will be praying that this is just a false positive. Yes, a lot of the things they do during your pregnancy are optional. We opted out of all genetic/blood testing. It didn't matter to us, either!

Charlotte said...

So sorry to hear about this scare, but I think you're doing the right thing by continuing to monitor the baby so closely. 3 weeks until the next appointment - ugh! I hope things go smoothly until then, you don't drive yourself too crazy with worrying (easier said than done, I know) and of course that you get a good report at your next scan. Hang in there!

Anonymous said...

Hi! Note sure if I have commented before. I just wanted to let you know when I was pregnant I had the same test come back with an elevated risk for Downs Syndrome. I had the advanced ultrasound and was told that it looked ok but only amnio could tell me for sure. I decided not to do amnio for the same reasons. I weighed heavily on me for the rest of the pregnancy, but like you, we would love our baby regardless. He was born healthy and does not have Downs Syndrome. I have another friend who just delivered twin boys last Monday. She did the same test, and her results came back normal for her age meaning no elevated risk for a genetic abnormaility. Nothing was ever seen on an ultrasound. One of her babies was born with Downs Syndrome. I hope the first half of my story might give you some hope. As for the second half, I don't mean to scare you- but just make a point that these tests really don't tell you anything. I am not willing to put my baby at rish by doing amnio, and that is the only thing that will tell you for sure. Just hang in there, hope and pray for the best, and know that you will love your baby unconditionally no matter the outcome.

Linds said...

I'm SO sorry you're having to wait. I had the wait on some stuff with Connor's ultrasound and I remember that 3 weeks was SO hard to not worry and fret over things (He had enlarged kidneys and they had not been able to see his heart correctly on the 1st ultrasound, which I later found out could have been a marker for Downs... and the nurse told me "not to worry and that it was no big deal" RIGHT). Praying that HIS peace surrounds you and that He provides the perfect person to do your 2nd scan. That's what happened with us, and that 2nd technician was SO accommodating to me knowing my fears... it was as if God Himself picked her out for me! Praying the same for you!

Amber said...

I have had several friends with a false positive. I think it's false more than it's true. Knowing this I opted out of the testing with our children; like you said, we would love them all anyway! Try not to worry too much. Worry steals your joy and you have so many reasons to be jouful :)

Haley Nicodemus said...

Praying for baby Marchelle and y'all! And love that little Marchelle's hand. :)

Vicki and Don said...

Considering all the million, billion, trillion parts that make up a human baby...isn't it a true miracle that so many are 100% healthy in the first place? Praying that this is just a false positive, but truly, it doesn't matter anyway. You'd love him/her regardless.

Leah @ Everyday Love said...

Newly Following your blog from Kelly's Corner. Congrats on your little one on the way, we've had a long road as well and our little one is due in August.