Life Our Babies Could Use Your Support - Page 25

'Hamas' Jenkins · 04:51 AM

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

patteeu · 10-12-2011, 08:41 AM

Glad to hear they're home with mom and dad.

**Iowanian** · 10-12-2011, 08:48 AM

I'm glad to see your girls are home and doing well.

I can't think there are many life experiences that change a human being to the core like the moment you get home with your first child(or 2), sit the car seat down, plop down and say "oh shit, now what do I do". Nothing like it.

**Dartgod** · 10-12-2011, 11:34 AM

Great news, Hamas!

**The Franchise** · 10-12-2011, 11:37 AM

That's awesome news, man.

It's a great feeling when you finally get to take your new girls home after being in the hospital for a while. Our visit wasn't near as long as yours though.

And honestly....ditch the diaper genie. It's not worth it. We got one and used it once. It's more of a pain in the ass then anything.

**cabletech94** · 10-12-2011, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumpy

What a cute picture! That's great to hear that they're home w/ mom and dad!

FYI... we gave up on the whole Diaper Genie thing after about 9 months. It doesn't matter how many times you sanitize it, the 'poopy diaper' smell lingers FOREVER!

were you using the diaper genie correctly?
you actually have to refill the refills. you know that, right?

teedubya · 10-12-2011, 04:38 PM

That's nice! Glad to hear they are doing better and feeling healthier!

**Donger** · 10-12-2011, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Thought some of the interested parties might want to know: The girls are now both at home. They had their first round of shots at the doctor yesterday, and he was very pleased with their growth, as preemies often have great difficulty gaining and maintaining weight after they go home. Here's a picture my wife snapped on her lap earlier this evening:

Congratluations Hamas! That's outstanding news.

**Donger** · 10-12-2011, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Filling, changing, and reloading the Diaper Genie. We go through about 14-20 diapers a day.

Oh yeah. The Diaper Genie. I think we lasted about two months before we started just closing the diapers up and tossing them in the trash in the "diaper trash can" in the garage. We then moved to whatever trash can was closer. Nothing like stinky baby poop smell in the kitchen while making dinner.

Has the wife thrown one at you yet?

spanky 52 · 10-12-2011, 04:46 PM

Those are two beautiful young ladies. Glad to hear their home.

**Donger** · 10-12-2011, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewChief

Exactly. We gave up on the whole Diaper Genie thing about 3 months into our first child. Veteran parents just take it to the outside trash bin immediately.

I'm glad we weren't the only ones.

vailpass · 10-12-2011, 05:24 PM

Sweet girls Hamas.

07-29-2011, 03:29 AM
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $7959572	Our Babies Could Use Your Support 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 Last edited by 'Hamas' Jenkins; 07-29-2011 at 04:51 AM.. Reason: Got my days mixed up
Posts: 74,848

10-12-2011, 08:41 AM	#361
patteeu The 23rd Pillar Join Date: Sep 2002 Casino cash: $10019237	Glad to hear they're home with mom and dad. __________________ “Boy, you all want power. God, I hope you never get it.” - Lindsay Graham
Posts: 110,871

10-12-2011, 08:48 AM	#362
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $4638454	I'm glad to see your girls are home and doing well. I can't think there are many life experiences that change a human being to the core like the moment you get home with your first child(or 2), sit the car seat down, plop down and say "oh shit, now what do I do". Nothing like it.
Posts: 61,556

10-12-2011, 11:34 AM	#363
Dartgod Wasted away again... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: in Margaritaville Casino cash: $7130000	Great news, Hamas! __________________ If you shed a tear for me, please make it a tear of joy. -Joe Tracy (Nzoner) . .
Posts: 51,158

10-12-2011, 11:37 AM	#364
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $2815047	That's awesome news, man. It's a great feeling when you finally get to take your new girls home after being in the hospital for a while. Our visit wasn't near as long as yours though. And honestly....ditch the diaper genie. It's not worth it. We got one and used it once. It's more of a pain in the ass then anything.
Posts: 92,296

10-12-2011, 04:38 PM	#366
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9470002	That's nice! Glad to hear they are doing better and feeling healthier!
Posts: 36,659

10-12-2011, 04:46 PM	#369
spanky 52 Veteran Join Date: Mar 2008 Casino cash: $2325601	Those are two beautiful young ladies. Glad to hear their home.
Posts: 1,026

10-12-2011, 05:24 PM	#371
vailpass Psycho Bag Of Squanch Join Date: Sep 2001 Casino cash: $9594244	Sweet girls Hamas. __________________ “Education is a weapon whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed.” Joseph Stalin
Posts: 69,591