Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Baby Update **EVEN MORE UPDATES AT BOTTOM!**

We are back from having our second cordocentesis (I'm about sick of being poked in the uterus, already). Depending on the results from that, we may or may not need another transfusion tomorrow. The baby's counts haven't gone down as much as they would like and there some fluid returning (but not a big amount.) It probably one of these two scenarios: a) the baby is still in the red blood cell void and just needs another dose of tranfused blood before it is manufacturing enough of its own blood; or b) the baby is already producing enough of its own red blood cells and everything should get back to normal in a few days. They will examine the blood they withdrew today and we'll know more today or tomorrow.

The cordocentesis was more painful this time (but not nearly as bad as the amnio) because my stupid uterus is kind of a pissy one and likes to spasm and contract a lot. I can't really blame it. It has had about five needles poked into it. When it contracts with the needle in, it feels like a charley horse with a needle stuck through it. They couldn't get the right spot and had to stick me a few times. But, they did manage to finally get it in the right place and were able to draw some vials of the baby's blood. The doctor said these procedures should get easier and easier as the baby gets better (I guess the cord gets bigger too).

So far, the baby's sex has not been revealed. Although I swear I have seen all kinds of girl and boy parts floating around in there. Some weeks I see one, and some weeks I swear I see the other. I hope it isn't some kind of combo! But, the results from the amniocentesis were are all good (no chromosonal defects), so I'm thinking that everything must be normal in there. I just can't tell what is flashing by on the screen! They are very careful about not showing us too much (which, actually, is starting to piss me off. My curiosity is getting the better of me!)

Anyway...here is a picture from during the transfusion two weeks ago. It is really kind of hard to describe, but the gray blob on the top and the right is the placenta, and you can see the long white needle poking through it, coming from the right side of the photo. The round ball is some part of the baby (head? abdomen? I can't remember.) The group of white lines on the right of the ball is the umbillical cord, where the needle is headed.

Here is the baby today.

Hi, I'm Skeletor.

Live long and prosper.

****Update to the Update*****
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! We don't need a transfusion this week (or hopefully ever again, but can't say that for sure yet)! The normal hemoglobin number is something around 10 or 11 and the baby had a 9.5. But the GOOD news is that 70-80% of the red blood cells are actually from the baby itself! We still go back next week (holy hell is this getting old) and if things have changed drastically, we'll need a transfusion. But, nothing has changed drastically in two weeks now, and with those new baby blood cells coming out, I am hoping we're all clear.

20 comments:

Tracy said...

i swear i have been hitting refresh all day waiting for this. i am glad things are going pretty well.

molly said...

Glad to hear this positive news. Love you guys.

The Quinn Report said...

Good, good news! I can't believe how complicated all of this must be for you. Again, so sorry you're having to go through this. On a positive side, it sounds like you're receiving top of the line medical care which is hard to come by. Hope the baby and results make a turn for the best :)

Marie Green said...

Wow, what a journey. I hope the baby continues to recover and that you can return to a path of a normal and event-free pregnancy!

When can we start talking about baby names????

Peregos said...

Thank you for the updates, I with Tracy (and the rest of us) have been eager for the news. All the very, very best. Thinking of you often, big hugs.

Andrea and Ben said...

Oh Katie,
I am so glad to hear things are looking up. Can't wait to hear how the next appointment goes!

Ann said...

I am so glad to hear things are looking good!

Jen said...

YAY! We will be praying for you guys! Hang in there.

Anonymous said...

Yippe-aye-kai-yay!

Erin said...

YES YES YES!!!

I am so SO relieved to read this post. Thank you so much for keeping us updated!

Still keeping with all those hemoglobin-rich thoughts coming your way though, you know, just because.

Anonymous said...

such great news! love you!

Smitty 1, 2 , 3 and 4 said...

Whew! Good to hear the little one is working hard, marking those blood cells. Keep up the good work! I am with you on the sex. I would be going crazy by now. I would have to find out.

Maybe you can next visit. :) Come on John, let her find out. ;)

Hugs to you all.

Angie said...

Yeah!!!!

Unknown said...

Good news!

I agree about the finding out the sex! I so can't not know!

molly said...

Hip hip hooooraaaay!!!! Wonderful news!!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the great news! I love the baby hand.

MaryB said...

SO SO SO happy to see all this good news!!!!!!!!

I think the baby's hand was a message from the womb to not worry!

And seriously, I can NOT believe you will power!!! Id be POURING over those ultra sound photos...Id justify it by telling myself that it took too long to type "the baby" everyinte instead of a pronoun!!!

Oh, and a big second on the baby name comment from marie green!

justme said...

glad to hear

Anonymous said...

Your in our thoughts Katie

Swistle said...

Oh happy!