May 5th – Today we had what our OB calls a “well-check.” At 15 weeks, 3 days there is no ultrasound, just blood pressure check for me and listening to the baby’s heartbeat via doppler. Everything checked out fine and we got to hear the baby’s heartbeat! What a relief! It’s funny, I don’t remember ever having anxiety over these routine appointments with Maddie, but this time around I was extremely tense.
As far as appointments go, these type tend to be fairly uneventful. This one was no different. Under different circumstances I would have gone to this appointment alone, but given the fact that we had received such high risk test results, Matt joined me. With no new information, there wasn’t much for the doctor to discuss with us except to explain more about the Harmony test. The doctor explained that if we drew blood for the Harmony test there was a good chance the results might be in before our appointment with the specialist the following Wednesday.
Thus far, I have avoided doing any research regarding Trisomy 13 and 18. Uncharacteristic for my typically type “A” personality.
May 13th – Today was our amniocentesis.
We began with an extremely long ultrasound after which a doctor reviewed all of the images and discussed her findings with us. By this point, Matt and I were certain that an amniocentesis is what we wanted – in fact, our desire for 100% certainty had not wavered once since learning our high risk results. The doctor’s opinion at that time was that there was nothing conclusive in the ultrasound images; however, she could perform the amnio and we could have results as early as Friday afternoon.
Our appointment ended with the amnio. Talk about emotional! I was emotionally and mentally drained.
May 15th – 16 weeks 6 days
Trisomy 18. Edwards Syndrome. Incompatible with life. Lethal anomaly.
Our amnio test results came in the afternoon from a doctor within the specialist practice. He was very patient and allowed Matt and I to three-way the call so that we could hear the results “together.” Unfortunately, we were both on our way home on one of the worst traffic Fridays either of have seen for quite some time. I cannot imagine that delivery of this type of news is easy to deliver, but this particular doctor was very kind. He explained that the results are preliminary, but are 99.999% accurate. No reason to believe that once the final results are in that they will reveal anything different.
Our baby girl has Trisomy 18.
Nothing will ever be the same. My outlook on life has totally changed. Every second spent with Maddie is more meaningful. I’m so thankful that God gave me Matt. I cannot imagine this journey with anyone else. Happiness is a choice and is not defined by circumstances. We will find a “new” happy. As individuals. As a couple. As parents.
I still haven’t researched Trisomy 18. I will. Just not tonight.
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