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

[CaliforniaChief]

Hey Hamas, I've been out of town on vacation and unable to post. But I wanted to let you know that I'm praying for your little girls and your family. What a helpless feeling to be in...but it sounds like things are moving in the right direction and I'm sure you're in the best hands. Blessings to you and your family!!!!

[BigOlChiefsfan]

Best wishes - be well.

[doomy3]

Good news!

[patteeu]

Hope everything continues to improve.

Is this happening at the hospital where your wife works? Whether it's happening there or not, have you noticed that you're getting particularly attentive care from the nursing staff since they (I presume) know that your wife is one of them? In my experience, I've found that having a nurse with relevant knowledge in the family is a huge benefit when a close relative is in the hospital. I hope it's working to your advantage too.

[GloryDayz]

Hope for an update before I leave in the morning. Still praying, still wishing... And I think we all need to plan a tail-gate and celebrate your two beautiful girls... And your wife for that she's endured...

[Jenson71]

I regret not seeing this earlier and offering some support.

That first picture is particularly affecting. What a tremendous struggle that small bundle of life is facing. God be with her, and her sister, and you and your wife. Take comfort in knowing that you are surrounded by love from people who deeply care. You are not alone.

[MoreLemonPledge]

It breaks my heart to hear things like this about people's children.

I'm so glad things are looking better.

[GloryDayz]

Off to Dallas, but thinking about you and your family. Stay strong...

[Gonzo]

Glad to hear the little ones are improving, man. Congrats on two beautiful little girls.
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[Earthling]

Thoughts and prayers go out to you and yours...

[Iowanian]

It's a long road, but things have a way of working out.

Good luck to you and your family. I know it's challenging just being there day in and day out.


Saturday, I spent 5hrs with my Niece swimming with my kids at our cabin. She was around 1lb when she was born around the same timeframe as yours.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Just wanted to give you all another update.

Milestone wise, Mom got to hold Logan for the first time today. Logan has moved to an Isolette, which is a really big improvement. She is going to transition from nasal prongs to a nasal canula today, and she's getting small amounts of milk through her feeding tube.

Hailey is also improving. She is peeing a lot, which she desperately needed to get the excess amount of fluids out of her body. Last night we changed a diaper that had eight times the pee of her first one, and she's putting out volumes far above what they were optimistically hoping without the need of potentially dangerous diuretics. She just started her first milk feeding.

They did another head ultrasound today and noticed no bleeding or evidence of bleeds in either of their brains, which is good news, but not necessarily predictive of long-term clear sailing.

Hailey should slowly transition off the oscillator today, and the doctors are slowly weaning her off of morphine, so she's waking up. I got to read a story to her this morning.

My wife should be discharged this afternoon, which they say can be quite difficult. Hopefully the transition isn't too tough on her, but she's been tremendous throughout this entire ordeal, so I'm optimistic that she'll be able to handle it.

[jAZ]

Wow, just caught this story today. I guess I'm glad I did, given the early uncertainty and the recent good news. We had our son 5 weeks preemie, and my wife was 10 weeks preemie back in the 70's. It's rough, but sounds like you are both able to handle the experience well. Definitely have my thoughts going your way.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Just wanted to give you all another update.

Milestone wise, Mom got to hold Logan for the first time today. Logan has moved to an Isolette, which is a really big improvement. She is going to transition from nasal prongs to a nasal canula today, and she's getting small amounts of milk through her feeding tube.

Hailey is also improving. She is peeing a lot, which she desperately needed to get the excess amount of fluids out of her body. Last night we changed a diaper that had eight times the pee of her first one, and she's putting out volumes far above what they were optimistically hoping without the need of potentially dangerous diuretics. She just started her first milk feeding.

They did another head ultrasound today and noticed no bleeding or evidence of bleeds in either of their brains, which is good news, but not necessarily predictive of long-term clear sailing.

Hailey should slowly transition off the oscillator today, and the doctors are slowly weaning her off of morphine, so she's waking up. I got to read a story to her this morning.

My wife should be discharged this afternoon, which they say can be quite difficult. Hopefully the transition isn't too tough on her, but she's been tremendous throughout this entire ordeal, so I'm optimistic that she'll be able to handle it.

Damn dust in my eyes.

[Hydrae]

Thanks for the update! Sounds like things are progressing well. Will continue to pray for all involved and these improvements continue every day!