On our 20 week ultrasound, the Drs saw something abnormal. They said it looked like a cerebellum cyst on the baby's brain, but we'd have to go on to Denver to get a more detailed ultrasound. We scheduled the appointment for Friday and decided to stay night in Denver.
On Friday, the Dr we saw in Denver, said it doesn't appear to be a cyst, but she said it looks like the cerebellum is not developed. We have to wait for an MRI to confirm it, and that will be in a week or two. The cerebellum is the part of the brain that controls coordination,
and balance.
They also found that baby's limbs are measuring shorter than they should be.
With both of these, they wanted a test to see if something genetic is going on. Dr said we could do an amniocentesis or a blood test. She didn't really recommend the amnio, because of the risk of going into labor, so we did the blood test. I guess there is baby DNA floating around in my blood so they can check on this with my blood. We will likely get those results this week sometime.
Dr said to plan on delivering the baby in Denver across the street from where we were.
There is a wide range of what this all can mean. There is likely going to be development delays, and unknown complications depending on how severe is, and what they find. It still will be unsure of what we'll be dealing with, until the baby is born, and until we deal with it. Every case is so different that all we can do is to try and be as prepared as we can, and give him the best care we can. We have a care coordinator that will help us with all the appointments and our support leader to help us with our journey.
Friday evening, we went to the motel and just felt pretty numb. There were some tears, and DH and I talked about what we're going to do. Our minds go all over the place, wondering if the baby will need a wheelchair someday, if this will mean a weakened immune system, etc. We messaged to family and close friends that evening. It's meant a lot to us how many have reached out to tell us they're praying and thinking of us.
Saturday, we went school shopping for the older two, and had a nice day, and enjoyed a bit of retail therapy. When we got home after picking up the kids, we told them that there is something wrong with the baby. The baby will be ok, but is probably going to take a bit more care than some babies, we're going to be going to Denver a lot for the next while and probably after baby is born. DS-8 cried for a bit, and we talked about how we could pray for the baby, and we'll be super helpers after baby is born. He's still been super sweet and talking to my belly and how much he loves his baby brother
DD-6 has more of a practical approach, and maybe doesn't really understand all what this means. DD-4 can probably tell something isn't quite right, but she's more excited about having sleep-overs at Aunt Krista's place
As for now, the waiting is really tough. Most questions are answered 'I don't know yet' and it feels like everything is up in the air. It feels pretty overwhelming and sometimes I feel pretty undone. All the prayers must be helping, because most of the time, I know we'll be ok.
DS 6/6/10
DD 3/15/12
DD 6/3/14
#4 Due 10/26/18!
Re: Baby Coffee-saur's Journey
DD 3/15/12
DD 6/3/14
#4 Due 10/26/18!
edit to add: Also, thank you for sharing this. I am sure that it wasn't easy to write and/or share, and I hope you can feel all of the love and support oozing your way!
Dandelion - October 2018
Angel "Aurora" - July 2020
Angel "Sawyer" - May 2021
Angel "Maxine" - January 2022
Angel "Violet" - March 2022
Baby Dove due March 2023
TTC since 2016
Due: October 12, 2018
Location: Ontario, Canada
The care coordinator called this afternoon and wondered if it would work to come tomorrow! at 1:00 for the MRI and we can see the neurologist Thursday! We kicked things into high gear, and are going to be headed down tomorrow morning. It's such a relief to be able to get in sooner than we thought! It had been looking like it was going to be Sept before we'd get to see the neurologist... This is much better!
DD 3/15/12
DD 6/3/14
#4 Due 10/26/18!
Thinking of you and your family! I’m glad you will *hopefully* be getting some answers sooner than you thought!
Married 07/2012
DD born 07/2014
DD2 born 10/2018
DS born 10/2022
IF history:
TTC #2 since January 2016
June-Aug 2017: 3 IUIs w/Clomid = BFN
Sept 2017: Dx w/Endometriosis
Oct 2017: IUI w/Letrozole = BFN
Nov 2017: IUI w/Letrozole = BFN
Dec 2017: pre-IVF testing
Jan-Feb 2018: IVF--17 eggs retrieved, 13 fertilized, 9 frozen and 1 transferred on 2/10 = BFP on 2/19!!! EDD 10/29/2018
FET Oct 2021: BFP on 10/31! MC at 5 weeks
FET Feb 2022: BFP on 2/15! EDD 10/29/22