We will never forget week 13

2Moms2Babies · February 2013

We had an emotional roller coaster of a week. Last Monday we went for the Nuchal screening and accompanying blood tests. The Nuchal measurements were normal, but then the doctor came in and started looking at the babies. He wasn't speaking for what seemed like hours, but was probably about a minute. We knew something was wrong. It's hard to describe the feeling at that moment, but for me it was like my head was full of white noise.

The doctor began to explain what was wrong. I'm fairly intelligent and I even work in healthcare, but he might as well have been speaking forty different languages. We couldn't process anything in that moment. After a couple of hours with a superbly kind genetic counselor, we finally understood what was going on and our options.

Our sweet Baby B has a ventral wall defect. The intestines are outside of the body. It's either an Omphalacele or Gastroschisis. We won't know definitively which one until around 18wks. The most concerning possibility was that 30-50% of the time an Omphalacele is caused by a chromosomal defect, most commonly Trisomy 13 or 18. This was terrifying. With another baby to consider, we decided to go ahead and get the CVS test to know for sure. We went in for that on Wednesday and got the results on Friday. It had to be the longest, most stressful week of my life. On Friday evening we called for the results. Normal. Thankful.

In a few weeks we'll know if it's an Omphalcele or Gastroschisis. We've done a good amount of research on both, but hearing first hand experiences are always helpful. I'm particularly concerned about taking care of one twin who's at home, while one remains in the hospital. We live over an hour away. Has anyone had this experience?

So after a terrifying week and coming to terms with knowing our little Baby B will have a rough start to life, we got an unexpected surprise of getting to find out the genders. We had decided early in the pregnancy that we wanted to have a gender cake made that we could cut into at home to find out in private. Our genetic counselor happily agreed to email the baker and she made us a beautiful cake with two day's notice. Yesterday we cut into the cake and it's

TWO BOYS!!!

It was such an uplifting end to a difficult week. We are completely thrilled with the thought of two boys.

trisholio · February 2013

First I want to say Congratulations on the two little baby boys! Second, I will keep your family and the babies in my thoughts and prayers. I cannot imagine the difficulties that you are going thru right now. I wish you all the best.

mhkd042206 · February 2013

I cannot even imagine the emotions you are both feeling at the moment. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. It sounds like you have some amazing little boys. And boys!!! My partner and I have 8 month old boys and they are simply amazing. Your boys will bring you a lifetime of happiness I am certain. We did experience a short time period of having one newborn at home and one newborn in the hospital. But only for 4 days. But we did learn a few things I can share with you. Schedule. Schedule. Schedule. I know the boys will be super young but just getting into a routine will help. We made a decision that I would be the one to spend time with our little one at the hospital each day. I would always be sure to get to the hospital during rounds so I could talk to the doctor. Then I would stay through a care period so that I could change and feed Jakob. I was pumping for both boys so I would just sit next to Jakob's isolette and pump every two hours. I would always go home late afternoon and spend some time with my other newborn Alex. My partner was working evenings and so she would always go over to the hospital around 10 pm to say a quick goodnight. It took time but we did get into a groove. Both boys were in the NICU together for about a week so we did have some time to plan. My only other suggestion is to trust the nurses. And don't feel horrible if you cannot be at the hospital all the time. The nurses know that you have another newborn at home. And don't ever be afraid to call the NICU in the middle of the night to check on your little one. The nurses appreciate it. Good luck to your wonderful family. And keep us updated.

Two*True · February 2013

I'm sorry you've had such a stressful week. Positive thoughts headed to your family.

Manada · February 2013

Congrats on all of the good news that was in your post! I am so happy for you guys that you seem to be getting good support from your care teams.

FWIW: I worked a few years as an administrator in a midwifery clinic and we had a baby with gastroschisis during that time. She was born with quite a bit of her intestines outside of her body and it was a long hospital stay until they were able to close it up BUT it was also totally fine, and she great throughout the process.

The rest of the pregnancy was closely monitored... But honestly the mother seemed to really get the impression that it was scary, but that everything would be well managed and doctors really had that situation under control.

Afterward when she and the baby came to visit she said it was a long road but everything was great in terms of their care and case management. It sounds like you guys have a great team as well so I hope you have the same confidence and support they were able to get.

polyhymnia23 · February 2013

Congratulations on two boys! This will be a trying time for you, but just know that you have everyone on this board here to support you through it all. There is no doubt in my mind that you will get through, and so will your boys!

jenheartsmonsters · February 2013

Oh, I know that silence and how it seems to last for days. That's how it felt this summer right before the doctor told us that our twins no longer had heartbeats. I am sorry for your stressful week, but so glad that your test came back normal!

And CONGRATS ON YOUR TWO BOYS! Meanwhile, I'm worried about having *one*... We don't know the sex yet, but both my partner and I keep having dreams that it's a boy, and I'm starting to worry that I won't know how to raise a son. I need penis care lessons!

Have you started talking about names? I'm itching to talk about names, and the judgmental straight ladies over at the names board have made it clear that they are done with me.

mollykelley · February 2013

Wishing you and your two baby boys all the best!

clairmeij · February 2013

I can't begin to imagine how worried you must be, but it sounds like you are getting excellent care!

Huge congrats on two baby boys and that 'normal' result. I'm sending lots of positive energy for you and your babies!

2Moms2Babies · February 2013

Wow, you guys are amazing. Thanks for all of the thoughts, prayers, positive vibes and the like. This board is an excellent source of support. We really have turned a corner since last week and have a positive outlook on our situation. We had to come to terms with the fact that our sons' birth and first few weeks wouldn't be what we had initially pictured, but it was going to be ok. Yes, he will like be in the hospital for 1-3 months, but we are so blessed to live near Children's Hospital Boston. They are ranked as the best children's hospital in the country and I have no doubt they will take good care of our little man. And yes, particularly for Gastroschisis, the prognosis is good! Jenheartsm: I'd be happy to talk names with you and I won't be mean

. We have narrowed it down and think we have the first names decided, but we're likely going to wait until we see them. I don't want to post them here, because some people I know could be reading and we're not going to reveal the names until they're born. Private message me and we'll discuss.

bundleoluv11 · February 2013

My prayers are with you and yeah!! You
Have two boys!!!!

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