Halfway there....

Well, Brad and I are halfway through out second pregnancy. Time has flown much faster with this one than it ever did with Lilly! I think it is because we are very willing for Jack to hang out in utero as long as he needs to...because life will be very different once he makes his entrance!

We had a scare this week with our little guy. I went, with mom, to my midpoint ultrasound to have the baby checked out from head to toe. His heart was beautiful, his spine looked good, and he had all four limbs...however, there were a couple of spots on his brain and the size of his head that had them concerned. The doctor started asking if I had considered genetic testing and that there was a possibility of hydrocephalus because his head was measuring so big. She referred us to a perinatal specialist to have a Level 2 ultrasound (I never knew there was a Level 1!). They couldn't schedule me in until two days after my initial ultrasound. Needless to say, I spent those two days as a nervous, anxious wreck thinking about all the possibilities and what this could mean.

Thankfully, Brad and I are surrounded by incredible family and friends that gave us many prayers and encouragement. We heard many stories of people having gone through the same thing and nothing ended up being wrong. But, I couldn't shake the thought of "what if we aren't that lucky".

We had the appointment yesterday. The images they were able to produce on the Level 2 US were incredible. We got to see Baby Jack so clearly, right down to the blood flow in his umbilical cord and heart. The Tech spent a lot of time measuring the spots in his brain making me even more nervous. I couldn't even enjoy seeing my baby boy in such detail! She confirmed (once again) that it was a boy, he had all four limbs as well as 10 fingers and 10 toes, and he weighed 12 ounces. She seemed very pleased that everything looked so wonderful...aside from the spots on his brain. After she left, I had a moment of sheer terror. What if this isn't right, what are we going to have to face, will he ever live a normal life? The moments between the tech's departure and the doctor's entrance were pure torture. I think I held my breath the whole time.

Once the doctor made his appearance, my fears were alleviated almost instantly. He told me exactly what we were looking at, Choroid Plexus Cysts, a build of fluid where the spinal fluid is created. He informed us that many babies have them and they always go away on their own. He told us the main reason we were referred was because 50% of babies who have Trisomy 18, a genetic chromosome defect, also had these cysts. He said they were not concerned as much about the cysts as they were about the rest of the baby's development. He said we had a perfectly healthy baby on the way which lead him to believe this baby did not have Trisomy 18 as most of those babies have several other significant health concerns such as cleft lip, club foot, and heart defects. He also said that if we wanted more piece of mind then I could do the blood work that checks for many genetic conditions. But he did warn us that sometimes results can come back that would put us in a state of worry that may not be necessary. For example, if we did the test and it came back saying there was a 1 in 100 chance the baby could have Trisomy 18, would I do amniocentesis at that point. I told him absolutely not, I have heard way too many horror stories about that and it wouldn't change our minds about keeping the baby. So he recommended that we forgo the blood test all together. He was not at all concerned that the baby had anything genetically wrong. Basically, there was no need to worry ourselves further.

As soon as he left, I was able to finally breathe a gigantic sigh of relief. I had been a ball of nerves ever since Tuesday and we were so happy to learn that there was really nothing to worry about with our little guy.

This was an interesting experience to go through as it really tested our core values and beliefs as a couple. How would we raise a special needs child? What kind of life would he have? What kind of lifestyle changes would we have to make to support him? Obviously, we didn't need to answer any of these questions but it did heighten mine and Brad's awareness of how blessed we are to have two healthy children. I found new respect for my sister and brother in law, my aunt and uncle, and my grandparents who all had to deal with such life-altering questions in order to raise a child with special medical needs. My family is a very strong one and if any family could rally and support us it would be mine. I am thankful everyday to have them as my foundation and root in this world.

On to happier things...I'm thinking that I would love to do a pirate theme in Jack's room. How fun would that be??