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Update echo, NST/BPP & Nicu Tour (PsIP)
Today we had yet another echo, a tour of the nicu, and the NST/BPP. Sean cooperating very nicely for the echo and the tech was able to get way more pics than ever before. There has been no change in his heart. His pulmonary artery should be able 8mm-9mm wide and his is narrowed to about 7mm. So it's not to bad. She did say though that these are approximations because you can't ever really get a true picture until the baby is out. His blood flow in his brain is good & the umbilical cord looks good.
The cardiologist said that Sean would be able to be released from the nicu and into the regular nursery after the first night if he was doing well.
Then we met with the neonatologist. I didn't necessarily care for this guy, but he's the director of the unit. So it's not a guarantee I'll even have to see him. He said that Sean will come to me first & then goto them. He will be evaluated and given IV fluids if his sugars dip below 45. THey encourage bfing, but warned that because of the down's, Sean's muscle tone may not be strong enough to suck well. He would then be kept in the nicu until he was able to suck. If my milk is not enough, then we will have to supplement until my milk comes in. This bothers me, but it is what it is. I am allowed to the nicu anytime I want to hold him, feed him, etc. So will Rob. No one else will be allowed to visit him while he's there. He also said that Sean will be discharged from the hosp from the nicu. Not into a regular nursery & then home. He said that if his sucking is great and the cardiologist releases him, he could go home with me or a day later.
Then it was time for the NST/BPP. Sean did very well this time with the NST. His heart rate stayed around 130+. Then the good u/s tech did my u/s. Everything measured right on time and his femur was proportional and of normal length. Then we switched to 3/d. When she swiped across his face I screamed "OMG he looks normal!" She asked why he wouldn't so we told her. Even though she was there for the amnio, she hadn't followed up on the results. She spent a lot of time looking for any markers for down's. He has a fully formed nasal bone, all the bones in his fingers & his femur is of normal length. She looked and looked and looked at his face & everything and said that it was amazing that he had down's.
The cardiologist said that Sean would be able to be released from the nicu and into the regular nursery after the first night if he was doing well.
Then we met with the neonatologist. I didn't necessarily care for this guy, but he's the director of the unit. So it's not a guarantee I'll even have to see him. He said that Sean will come to me first & then goto them. He will be evaluated and given IV fluids if his sugars dip below 45. THey encourage bfing, but warned that because of the down's, Sean's muscle tone may not be strong enough to suck well. He would then be kept in the nicu until he was able to suck. If my milk is not enough, then we will have to supplement until my milk comes in. This bothers me, but it is what it is. I am allowed to the nicu anytime I want to hold him, feed him, etc. So will Rob. No one else will be allowed to visit him while he's there. He also said that Sean will be discharged from the hosp from the nicu. Not into a regular nursery & then home. He said that if his sucking is great and the cardiologist releases him, he could go home with me or a day later.
Then it was time for the NST/BPP. Sean did very well this time with the NST. His heart rate stayed around 130+. Then the good u/s tech did my u/s. Everything measured right on time and his femur was proportional and of normal length. Then we switched to 3/d. When she swiped across his face I screamed "OMG he looks normal!" She asked why he wouldn't so we told her. Even though she was there for the amnio, she hadn't followed up on the results. She spent a lot of time looking for any markers for down's. He has a fully formed nasal bone, all the bones in his fingers & his femur is of normal length. She looked and looked and looked at his face & everything and said that it was amazing that he had down's.
Not that I would feel differently about him if he has characteristics of down's and not that I think this is the end all of pictures, but it was nice to have something to celebrate. I told rob that if he comes out & doesn't have the 1 crease on his palm, we're having him retested.
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Re: Update echo, NST/BPP & Nicu Tour (PsIP)
Glad you had a great visit. DD didn't have any markers either and looked "typical" in her 3D/4D ultrasound. She still has Ds. Also, she doen't have the simian crease or the sandal gap. DD does have some of the typical facial features of Ds though.
Im really glad you had a great appointment.
Like I said, I know this is not the be all & end all of pictures. I know he has down's. I know he'll have some physical characteristics. I just needed something to celebrate. I was just telling rob jokingly that we'd have him retested. LOL
Nora Judith 7/2/06 Miles Chauncey 4/20/09 born with Trisomy 21 - Down syndrome
Very cute pics! Didn't you feel like you were getting a sneak peak? I loved getting the 3D pics, and we didn't know the machine at the perinatologist even had the capability! It was a nice surprise.
Glad your appointment and meetings went well. Bummer on the neonatologist. The one we met with before Carter was born was so awesome, but the neonatologists switch every few weeks or every month. So, when Carter was born we had a different neonatologist in the NICU, but we liked him too! He was in the delivery room at the time of birth and then even took the time after stabilizing Carter to come to my recovery room to explain how he was doing. Carter's O2 saturation levels were not great, but he assured us he would get it figured out and he did. Hopefully you will have just as good of luck!
Thanks for sharing the cute pics and good news! We love celebrations!
Yes it's one of the markers for downs. And you may have it, but have no other characteristics. Just sayin'
He's so cute --- I can't believe how close you're getting!!
What a little cutie!!! That's so exciting. I remember our first 3-d picture of Ty. I didn't know he had Downs at the time, but I knew he had "something" from the issues that kept popping up. It was such a relief to see a cute little guy in there sucking away on his fingers!
I also just wanted to comment on the heart thing too. We had NUMEROUS echos....like 7-10....even one by a specialized fetal cardiologist, and everyone told us that Ty had a large VSD and was going to need surgery. We even met with pediatric cardiology to discuss it. When he was born, he had 2 tiny VSDs and a moderate PDA....the PDA closed a week after he was born & were told he'd never have any problems with his heart by the cardiologist (and haven't had any breathing/feeding issues whatsoever). So you're right....they're not 100% accurate, and that little Sean may very well surprise you when he arrives!!!