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.
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.