Baby Clark Update

First of all - thank you, thank you, thank you - to all of our friends and family for your outpouring of support. We've received an abundance of emails, phone calls, FB messages, hugs, etc. letting us know that you are thinking of us and praying. I do think it makes a significant difference. While still stressful and emotional, the last week or two have felt much more normal. I thought I would provide an update, as so many of you have been asking...

We had our first appointment with the maternal-fetal specialist, Dr. Balaskas, on Thursday afternoon. The appointment went well.

I had my Quad test repeated on Monday and the results were available when we met with Dr. Balaskas. Apparently, my first Quad test was done a few days too early (before I was 16 weeks gestation), so the results from a couple of weeks ago showing increased risk of neural tube defect/chromosomal abnormality were not accurate. My current Quad is normal, which is reassuring, but not a definitive that there is no chromosomal abnormality.

Other good news - the "high tech" ultrasound is showing no anatomic abnormalities. Brain and spine look fine, kidneys are both working, correct number of fingers and toes, age is appropriate based on measurements. Heart rate was 158. Bad news is that my amniotic fluid is still very low. So, it was still a bit difficult for both the ultrasound tech and Dr. Balaskas to see perfectly. I must say, this ultrasound tech was fabulous! She did a great job of explaining everything as she was moving around, taking measurements, "this looks good" "this looks normal" "no concern here". I liked her!

Dr. Balaska was great as well. He spent about an hour with Brad and I talking, discussing next steps, possible scenarios. When do you ever get a whole hour of a physician's time? He thinks something may be wrong with my placenta which could be causing the low fluid. He sent me for additional labs yesterday (results pending), trying to rule out (or in) an autoimmune or coagulation disorder which can cause abnormalities with placenta function if not diagnosed and treated prior to and during pregnancy. I don't have any symptoms that suggest either of these types of conditions, but it's possible I could be asymptomatic and still have them. So, 14 vials of blood later (and some orange juice), we'll have this news in about a week.

Next step after that will be an amnioinfusion (injecting saline into my uterus) which will allow for a better ultrasound view (right now Baby is all scrunched up and kind of difficult to see - I think I used to be that flexible...many years ago!). The infusion will also allow for enough fluid to do an amniocentesis to test definitively for a genetic disorder. If all of that comes back normal, he said he may be able to do weekly amnioinfusions (along with bed rest most likely) giving the baby enough fluid to possibly survive and have more normal lung development, which is the main concern now. Baby Clark is at a critical gestational age for lung development right now. If he/she doesn't form alveoli (the deepest air sacs in the lungs), he/she will have pulmonary hypoplasia and likely not live long, if at all, after birth.

So, lots of information at the appointment. Dr Balaskas was wonderful. Very informative, honest, factual, but still caring. We liked him.

Probably a long road ahead, but we're trying to continue taking it one day at a time.

Thank you for the continued prayers and thoughts! It means a lot to us!