Our Babies Could Use Your Support

['Hamas' Jenkins]

The great news is that I am a dad of two beautiful little girls.

The terrible news is that those girls are in extreme medical duress.
Yesterday, my wife gave birth, via emergency c-section, at 29 weeks, two days. At sixteen weeks, what looked like a normal, but rare, identical twin pregnancy became far more complicated. Our babies were diagnosed with a disorder that happens about 15% of the time with identical twin pregnancies called Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome. A detailed medical description isn’t necessary, but a brief one may help to understand.

The placenta provides blood flow and nutrition to a developing fetus. Most of the time, identical twins draw from the placenta with little issue, but in Twin-to-Twin, there is an imbalance. One twin, called the recipient, pulls too much blood from the placenta, and also the other baby. This makes the recipient polycythemic, basically the exact opposite of anemic. With too much blood, especially red blood cells, the blood becomes sludgy, and all the extra fluid which the baby receives from the extra blood puts a great deal of strain on their system, and can lead to congestive heart failure and other problems.

The other twin, the donor, experiences problems due to a lack of blood volume.

As a result of this circulatory imbalance, there is a massive discrepancy in amniotic fluid. The recipient swims in a pool of it, while the donor is, in essence, shrink-wrapped by the lack of fluid as the amniotic sac pulls in around it.

The condition is gravely serious, and without treatment, will usually carry a mortality risk of 100%.

After finding out that what we thought was going to be a normal pregnancy was anything but at 16 weeks, we had a procedure done in St. Louis called fetoscopic laser ablation. Developed a little over a decade ago, surgeons make a small incision in the mother’s abdomen, and with a small endoscope and laser, cauterize shared vessels between the two twins. This helps to establish a normal blood flow between the two babies.
We had this procedure done on May 6.

Initially, everything looked great, as the fluid levels between the two babies balanced out, and blood flow patterns appeared within normal range. About three weeks after the procedure, our specialists noticed that the condition had actually reversed itself. About 10% of the time, the condition will spontaneously reverse itself.

It was apparent to doctors at this appointment that this had happened near the end of May. Fluid levels were imbalanced, but still at the very end of normal. As such, the doctors felt it was the best interests in prolonging the pregnancy, which was not yet at viability, to avoid another event that would require making a hole in the amniotic sac. Thus, we embarked on a pattern of extreme vigilance. At multiple appointments per week, doctors performed an ultrasound wherein they would measure amniotic fluid levels, blood flow across the umbilical cords, and within the cerebral arteries in the brain.

After this second scare, it appeared that things began to normalize. Most of our subsequent appointments looked improved, and everything appeared to be on a healthy, normal trajectory.

Until Wednesday night.

Late Wednesday, my wife began to feel a series of small contractions. While normal in the third trimester, she had enough in a short period of time that it was necessary to call the doctor. He had us come into the hospital for closer monitoring, and after doing so, noticed that one of our babies was in distress. We had three ultrasounds last night and early into Wednesday morning, and after doing so, the doctors felt that it was in the best interests of the babies to deliver them at an extremely early, 29 weeks, but still viable age.

At 5:09 and 5:10 pm yesterday, we welcomed our little girls into the world.

Continued in post #2

[4th and Long]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

It's been a long, but a relatively good day. Both babies are critical, but have improved. Our more critical girl's oxygen stats have gone up, but she's still extremely fragile. Her blood sugar is much better, and she's producing a lot of urine, which indicates that her kidneys are working and starting to get rid of her excess fluid.

Our other baby is doing pretty well. She has rested throughout the day, and is acting like what the nurses say a normal 29 week old would act like, which is a celebrated improvement for us.

I'm going to post a couple of pics to follow.

It's good to hear that her O2 sats have come up and that her sugars are getting better. Working kidneys are also a good sign.

Thoughts and prayers from myself and the Mrs.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

The first and last are our more critical girl. Her name is Hailey Grace. The middle two are of are more stable girl. Her name is Logan Nicole. She's under a blue light to help with jaundice, and the covering over her eyes is so she can rest.

As with all babies, they are the most beatiful girls in the world. I used to work at the Naval hospital in Portsmouth, VA, and loved spending time with the babies in the NICU. And the people who work in NICUs, like all children's hospitals, are the best people in medicine.

Hang in there man, I've spent time in those places too, and I feel your pain. Just keep pryaing and smiling for the wife. She need to see your smile, and you holding her hand.

[morphius]

I'll keep them in my prayers Hamas, they are beautiful little girls.

[NaptownChief]

Glad to see things are looking more positive....as I mentioned yesterday I had a good feeling and still do about all working out well for you all.

BTW, I was a little supprised the girls skin color is white.

[Goldmember]

Hope it all goes well for you and your family

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Done and done again. So sorry to hear that.

[Fritz88]

They are beautiful.

Things do look improved and promising. Very good.

[ChiTown]

Our prayers to you and your little girls. May God look over and protect them.

Pat

[warrior]

Best wishes to you and your family.

[seclark]

prayers for your whole family. they are beautiful.
sec

[2112]

Thoughts and prayers Hamas. god bless you, your wife and your children.

[Delano]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

This one is unbelievably touching. Keep strong 'Hamas'.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Just wanted to give you all another update.

Today has been a good day. The doctors extubated Logan about four hours ago and she has tolerated it excellently. She still has nasal prongs helping her ventilation, but she's on room air concentration. She's peeing and pooping a lot, which is also great news.

Hailey has also done well today. The doctors moved her to an oscillating ventilator since her blood pressure improved, and that has greatly improved her condition. The doctors have taken her off of dopamine, which is a medicine used to increase blood pressure, and she has been able to manage it quite well.

For those of you asking, my wife has been tremendous throughout this entire ordeal. She's handled the emotional trauma with tremendous poise, which I think has been enhanced by the fact that she's a PICU nurse.

Thanks again for all the messages of support. They make a tremendous difference.

[bluehawkdoc]

Prayers for your family as I type this.

[mlyonsd]

Excellent news Hamas. Keep hanging in there. Thoughts your way.