VERY SHY BABY. We did NOT get to learn the sex.
Today, did not go well.
During the sonogram, Liz got so lightheaded (lying on her back) that she almost passed out. They turned her to her left side so she could get her breath back, but she missed the last part of the sonogram.
We checked to see the gender, because at 18 weeks, we SHOULD have been able to tell - had things gone well. But, all we found out, is that the baby is SHY. He/she (assuming she!) kept their legs CLOSED SHUT TIGHT. Which confirms our suspicions as far as we're concerned - if it was a boy, it'd be showin his stuff off. Girls are a little more modest ;-)
And then, the consultation with the doctor.
First off, I must say, Dr. O'Hara is FABULOUS. She is not Liz's normal OB - but Dr. Depew referred us to her for the amnio, because she is "The" high risk doctor in our town. Her resident, Dr. Hoskins, is learning from a WONDERFUL example, and if he follows her lead, he will have an amazing career ahead of him. We LOVED this office.
Dr. Hoskins gave us the brief rundown of the sonogram. Basically, the baby has a 0% chance now of survival. The lungs have collected fluid around them, as has the liver. The kidneys are failing, and the baby three heart defects, as well as fluid gathered around the lungs. The heart defects include VSD, ventricular problems (Left ventricle is very small, right is very large. It's pumping a LOT of blood in, but not much out.), and it's reversed - what should be on the right is on the left, what should be left is on the right. With the heart problems ALONE, this baby would have a very small chance of survival - and it's survival would depend on a heart TRANSPLANT, VERY shortly after birth. When you factor in the huge chance for a chromosomal problem (There were SEVERAL indicators of such), and the Cystic Hygroma (which, as of today, is almost the same size as the baby is), and the newly developed Hydrops & organ failure....The doctors told us we probably had 4-6 weeks left of being pregnant.
We were given the option of a termination now, instead of waiting for the inevitable, but any time with the baby is special, whether it's inside or outside...She said the baby is feeling no pain, so we're going to let this last as long as possible. We also had to have the conversation of a burial or letting them use the baby to learn from, and we have decided to donate the body - if they can gain any information to help another family & baby - be it surviving, or getting by emotionally - we're all for that.
And then, we went in for the amnio. Michelle, the ultrasound tech, Dr. Hoskins & Dr. O'Hara did the amnio together. The amnio did NOT go well for us, because her abdominal muscles fought the needle, pushing it away from the path they were setting it on. They had to reSTAB (12 gauge 9 inch needle) her four differant times. She said she felt like her stomach was going to fall out through those holes - but this seriously hurts as bad as when they took out your appendix. OUCH.
And now...we're home. Letting things soak in, I still don't know that they've really hit us. We've talked about it, explained it to Granny, loved on Alex, and just...existed. Tonight is about family & comfort food. I'm going to go lay back down....I feel like shit, need to go relax.
