Just can't win

Ugh, we had a follow up visit from our visit in Labor & Delivery, not expecting this news at all, I hate being blindsided.

Apparently the ultrasound on Saturday showed an increased nuchal fold on the back of Jake's neck, indicating a risk for Down's. However, the doctor has no clue what that means at 24 weeks, at 10-14 weeks it would require more testing for Trisonmy 21. He doesn't know what the number means, other than it is thicker than it should be. So to avoid an amnio and all the risks, they are sending us to the University of Alabama at Birmingham for a Level 2 ultrasound. Worse case scenario is a chromosomal defect, best case we just have a big baby, which it has already been determined that we have 2 big babies. The nuchal fold test measures the back of the babies neck at 10-14 weeks along (the thicker the higher risk) with blood from the mother to determine if there is an increased risk for defects; we declined this test at the beginning of the pregnancy. The doctor isn't sure why the tech even measured the fold since it is only done between 10-14 weeks, the blood work I had done at 18 weeks was all negative, but with it being twins there is some risks for false negatives, he has no other markers for defects and there is no family history of chromosomal defects in either family, so we are hoping it is just a big baby and/or the tech measured wrong. She was the tech at the hospital and the doctor pointed out that she sees everything from gallbladders to OB patients, to heart patients.

Addy's problem is not chromosomal, but showed some signs of kidney dilation, minor, and they typically out grow it within the first couple of years. He wants it monitored so we know at birth that she will need added care with her kidneys and if she starts showing signs of distress before 38 weeks he will take her early, knowing what is causing the stress. A mild case at birth just warrants an ultrasound to make sure the kidneys are draining, severe cases could mean shunts and surgery to help the kidney's drain. But luckily in both cases, kids outgrow it and experience no long term effects, providing it is caught early. Worse case with her is the severe dilation, best case, she was just peeing when the tech measured her kidneys and it would show the dilation as she pushed the urine out. Again, something that they are going to check up in Birmingham within the next week with the Level 2.

After talking with Andy and my mom, Andy still had questions, he talked to the OB this afternoon who answered all of the questions that I couldn't or didn't think to ask. The doctor is optimistic that this is all nothing, but wants it monitored. UAB is the best place to have a Level 2 ultrasound around here, so a 3 hour drive to Birmingham within the next week is on the agenda, we are still waiting to to hear from our nurse so she call tell us when it is.

Good news, we are measuring 33 weeks and both heartbeats sounded good. Doctor says I'm going to get big and uncomfortable, as if I'm not now, but big babies=happy Lisa and Andy.