Here is one of my ultrasound photos, from the University of Iowa trip to confirm our diagnosis of Gastroschisis. His beautiful face along with the Gastroschisis. The blue arrow shows the white bunch above our sons belly, those are his intestines that are suppose to be inside of his belly.
The day had come. It was only hours away until I would be at the University of Iowa hospitals and clinics for my ultrasound, my counseling, my confirmation diagnosis if any.
My appointment was scheduled for 9 am. I was suppose to be there at 8:45 at the latest, oops. I was there at 8:55am. The parking ramp was hard for me to find and it was packed! Then I had to take the elevator to the skywalk, and half way through the building and to a certain elevator then up and to registration. I found it and I was checking in. The pressure just gained and gained. As I previously stated I was pretty sure something was wrong, and my body kept telling me Gastroschisis. Therefore I knew I had prepared myself with enough information to be settled. As I waited for the registration lady to collect all my information, I was just floating on cloud nine because I knew I was going to see my baby today regardless and that in itself is exciting to any mother to be. She signed me in, put a wrist band on my right wrist and directed me to waiting room 1 it was through the first set of doors and to the left. I waited anxiously. There was one other mom in front of me for the same thing they called her into the counseling room and I knew I was next. What were they going to say, or do? What was I to expect? I just grasped the air and breathed knowing no matter what God would make sure we were alright. The lady came out from the left said Kendra, and that was my turn. I stood up, smiled and gracefully walked towards her. We went into her office and she asked me questions concerning my family and strads family diagnosis etc. After that she explained to me that I would be doing a level 2 ultrasound and the tech would go over baby and growth. She explained the 3 risks that I was being confronted with. She also advised me that my chances of neural tube defects (Spina bifida) was slim considering we had 3 healthy children prior. Also advised me my hemorrhage I have had along with my bleeding throughout the pregnancy can increase the protein levels in the blood although there was no chance it would make it be this high above the 2.2 cut off. She did advise me that I had a high chance of something being wrong, which I had already knew and I agreed to. She explained the next step was for my ultrasound and after the tech was done she would go meet with the doctors and then after that the doctors and tech and nurses would come in she said a team of about (6-8). She told me not to worry they all come in regardless of the outcome. She then weighed me, took my blood pressure and sent me to the waiting room for my ultrasound. Again, it was a waiting game. Maybe 10-15 minutes passed and again, Kendra. I again stop up, smiled and gracefully walked towards the new nurse. We walked down a narrow hallway and there were 7 ultrasound rooms. I was walked into ultrasound room 4 and sat into the chair. There was 1 ultrasound tech and a nurse in there. I gracefully laid back into the chair, lifted my shirts and waited for the scan to begin. She just talked to me a bit and explained what she was doing and that if I had questions I could ask and at that time she might be able or not be able to answer my questions. She also asked if I knew gender. I told her no, She asked if I wanted to know. I advised her I did not want to know unless something was wrong so I could prepare for the arrival. She did the ultrasound it took approximately 35 minutes. After she was done she advised she was going to speak with the doctors and they would be back shortly. They left the room, and I already knew the outcome. 10 minutes later, the doctors, nurses and tech came back in. They always want to check baby in movement so again they applied the Doppler to my stomach and watched as baby moved around for approximately 5-10 more minutes. After this the tech was done, and wiped the jelly from my stomach and sat me up in the chair. I already started to tear up as I knew the outcome already. One of the doctors said now at this time we will discuss what we have seen on the ultrasound. She said, your unborn child has a birth defect of "Gastroschisis". I replied instantly, I know I seen it on the ultrasound. She looked at me in amazement. The other doctor said, "Wow, you must have done your research I couldn't be more happy then to have a mother know her stuff." I smiled. Again, the first doctor began to explain the outcome, the future and what would happen. As, she again explained. I acknowledged that I did a lot of research and if my baby could have had something wrong I preferred this. She said yes, it is the "Best of the Worst" outcomes. I agreed, that's exactly how I was feeling. Overwhelmed and tearful. They informed me they would be scheduling me appointments, I would have ultrasounds monthly (unless things changed) and that I would be delivering my baby at that hospital and that I would be having surgeries on my son. They advised me they still wanted me to see my regular OBGYN in Cedar Rapids, as well as see them. Therefore I am closely being monitored. The tech looked and me and said do you want to know, I said yes so I can prepare please. She said congratulations, It's a BOY! I was so happy, regardless of what I was having I wanted my child to have a special and happy arrival. I walked to the checkout and scheduled my appoint for 4 weeks out. February 19. I will be back for ultrasound, stress test and to see my high risk OBGYN. After days and days of research, what is left to be said? All you can is wait. Although the fight feels like its winning and I'm just stuck in a empty boat. I have to hang onto hope before my boat begins to not float.
All I did for past 6 days straight was spend many hours on the web. Researching the outcomes, and what could occur in the day ahead. The more that I researched the more my body forced it's power upon me and I was very prepare for what might be coming. I realized that when I searched Spina Bifida it was a birth defect and it was something that can be mild to very severe. I was not excited, I was hurt, I was crushed. I didn't want this for my child. Anything that could be coming and this is not one thing I liked to read. I also realized I had this power within me that decided to tell me this is not what's wrong Kendra. Hang in there, you will know soon enough. I didn't spend much time searching placenta abruption because I felt like it's something that they seem to chalk it up to. There is no evidence this is even the actual case. My body just also told me don't research this its okay. I know I felt like I should have spent more time with this because I had placenta previa with our last son. Although my body didn't care to read this information. So, I moved on to the last and final thing. Gastroschisis. This was a very interesting birth defect that one could have. Chances were 1 in 1,800 births in America. That seemed to be pretty high if you asked me. Although this condition was something my body drew me into. I researched a lot on this. Surgery, Recovery, Complications, Etc. It's like I came to the realization this is what was wrong with our son and I was going to be okay with it. I sat and told my step mother, If something is wrong I prefer this. Its fixable, the baby will be fine. We can make it through this. The wait was almost over. Less then 24 hours until diagnosis. January 14, 2015 my OBGYN's office called to inform me of my appointment time and day. I was scheduled to be seen at the University of Iowa hospitals and clinics on January 21, 2015 at 9 am. They also informed me it would be an all day type of thing, its something that is not taken very lightly. They cover their grounds & ensure they provide you with accurate information. I was so nervous, My nurse asked if I had any more questions and of course I did. Why me? Why my child? Why now? I have 3 others perfectly fine why this one? Why my last child. Although she wouldn't be able to answer any of this for me. So I replied yes can you tell me my elevated MSAFP levels, she researched and advised me it was 5.98 and we ended our call.
I sat back and recalled what I learned the night before. 2.2 was the cut off I was at almost a 6.0. I knew instantly something was seriously wrong. Again I researched until my mind wouldn't allow anymore information at least 3 hours worth. I gave it up and went about my day trying to figure out what was going on and why us, why this baby? Its just a lot of emotional ties. January 13, 2015 at 2:50pm my pregnancy changed. I was no longer just pregnant but I received a dreading phone call from my OBGYN's office. They were calling to inform me that they had received my results back from the University of Iowa hospitals and clinics on my blood draw from 16 weeks. I knew instantly this wasn't a great sign, they don't call you if its okay. I held my breathe and waited to hear what I was about to be told.
Within a few moments my pregnancy when from exciting to terrifying and I was lost for words. My doctor informed me that my trisomy 18, 19 & my down syndrome screen tests came back below average. Although my MSAFP results came back elevated and now I needed to be seen at the University of Iowa hospitals and clinics for an in depth ultrasound and testing. They advised me high or elevated AFP means there is an opening usually of some kind the three most prominent diagnosis's would be Spina bifida, Gastroschisis or placenta abruption. I just began to cry, what else could I do? She explained they would keep me updated on when my appointment was and how to get there and where I would need to go. All I could do is wait. OH AND BE SCARED AS HELL. I immediately wiped my ears and went to tell Strad what was going on. He said so what do we have to do, I explained they would let me know when I had my appointment and we would go from there. He told me repeatedly not to worry, everything was going to be okay. Easier said then done. He is so laid back and I am a stressor so not stressing something like this was IMPOSSIBLE for me to do. Later that evening, I grabbed my ipad and immediately started to Google and research these three complications. I discovered an average level of 2.2 is the cut off. After hours and hours of the research everything I found did not settle my gut. I just knew that something like this was wrong. I decided to breathe and just fall asleep. |
AuthorI am Kendra, I am Kaiden's mother. I am 26 years old and currently still pregnant with him. Our due date is June 18, 2015. Our son was diagnosed with Gastroschisis on January 21, 2015. I was 18 weeks 6 days pregnant with him. Our lives have forever changed. Although with change is Hope. Archives
May 2015
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