Tough Times...
We have encumbered our first major challenge as parents to be. After visiting our doctor about 2 weeks ago Thursday, we were given some not so good news...Baby B may have a heart defect. At that appt we were told that they were unable to detect the Aorta and Pulmonary Artery arteries crossing into the proper ventricles of the heart, and that they were sending us to a specialist to take a closer look at Baby B's heart.
This past Wednesday, we went to see the specialist and unfortunately they weren't able to get a good look at their hearts, so after being there for an hour and 45 minutes they told us we needed to go to their Scottsdale office to see the head Heart Specialist, Dr. Nyberg. So, on Thursday we went to his office and had another ultra-sound done. During such time, he indicated that in fact Baby B does have a heart defect and is going to have to have open heart surgery once he is born. He did state that right now Baby B is just fine because I am supplying his oxygen and blood flow so he will continue to grow normal and stay healthy, it's just that once he is born he won't be able to breathe on his own which is why the surgery is needed.
Like we mentioned above, the Aorta and Pulmonary Artery that are connected to the ventricles are not crossed and what the surgeon will have to do is disconnect and then re-connect them to the proper ventricle. The specialist indicated that this procedure has to be done within 2 weeks of being born, so it could be as early as a right away or days after he's born. It all depends on how he his doing once he enters into this world. Right after he is born they are going to give him some medicine to keep a pathway open that is between the Aorta and Pulmonary artery which will allow the proper oxygen and blood to flow through the correct passage ways---that pathway normally closes right after birth and makes the heart pump on it's own, but with his condition they want to keep that open until he has the surgery.
Since he has the heart problem, we have to be transferred to new care for the rest of the pregnancy as well as afterwards. They had 2 choices, St. Joe's Hospital or Phoenix Children's Hospital, both of which have the best doctors but, the specialist recommended us going to St. Joe's so, that I can be with the babies once they are born among other reasons that they have. So we decided that St. Joe's would be the best place.
Dr. Nyberg's office (the heart specialist) has also referred us to Dr. Blumrick which will be my new O.B. and will handle my "regular visits" through the remainder of the pregnancy---he works very closely with St. Joe's Hospital. St. Joe's contacted us today and are having us come in to do a Fetal Echo Exam on both babies tomorrow (6/3), they have to do both babies because legally they have to rule out Baby A and confirm that Baby B has the defect---Which will take approximately an hour for each baby. After that exam we will meet with the Cardiologist to go over the results then they will take us on a tour of St. Joe's to view where they will be delivered, the NICU center, ICU etc. St. Joe's will then be taking over all my ultra-sounds every month so that they can monitor his heart throughout the rest of the pregnancy. On Friday (6/5) we have to meet with the surgeon, Dr. Cleveland, who will be doing the surgery to go over all the details, such as risks, how long he'll be in the hospital, how they'll do the surgery, etc. Basically going over everything that will be going on. We already have a HUGE list of questions for him that we started writing down that will be asked!!
I know that this is a lot to read and take in, trust me we are just as overwhelmed! Which is one of the reasons we decided not to talk to Kaila just yet about what is going on, she is young and we don't want her to be worrying or consuming her life over what's going on for the next few months---she's just a kid and doesn't need to have that on her shoulders right now. However, we will be sitting down with her when it gets closer to them being born to prepare her for what's going to happen when they arrive, but at this time we decided, as her parents, that it's best she not know.
We are trying to be as optimistic as possible during this tough time and we know that with the support of our friends and family we will be able to make it through!! We also know that both babies are going to be healthy and strong! And, no worries, I am taking it much easier as the doctors don't want me to go into labor any earlier than needed, as I am already at a risk of going early because of the twins. So my work hours have changed to be from 7:30-3pm and I'll still takes a lunch as well as many potty breaks since they like to push on mt bladder 24/7 :o) One great thing, is that both babies are doing really well, they are both growing like they are supposed to and are incredibly active...all they do is move and kick all the time, which has had every doctor talking about them because they are so active!! They each weigh 1lb 3oz and we posted 2 pics of them below. Baby A then Baby B.
Thank you for all your good thoughts and prayers, we appreciate it and love you all!!
Rob & Ashley
This past Wednesday, we went to see the specialist and unfortunately they weren't able to get a good look at their hearts, so after being there for an hour and 45 minutes they told us we needed to go to their Scottsdale office to see the head Heart Specialist, Dr. Nyberg. So, on Thursday we went to his office and had another ultra-sound done. During such time, he indicated that in fact Baby B does have a heart defect and is going to have to have open heart surgery once he is born. He did state that right now Baby B is just fine because I am supplying his oxygen and blood flow so he will continue to grow normal and stay healthy, it's just that once he is born he won't be able to breathe on his own which is why the surgery is needed.
Like we mentioned above, the Aorta and Pulmonary Artery that are connected to the ventricles are not crossed and what the surgeon will have to do is disconnect and then re-connect them to the proper ventricle. The specialist indicated that this procedure has to be done within 2 weeks of being born, so it could be as early as a right away or days after he's born. It all depends on how he his doing once he enters into this world. Right after he is born they are going to give him some medicine to keep a pathway open that is between the Aorta and Pulmonary artery which will allow the proper oxygen and blood to flow through the correct passage ways---that pathway normally closes right after birth and makes the heart pump on it's own, but with his condition they want to keep that open until he has the surgery.
Since he has the heart problem, we have to be transferred to new care for the rest of the pregnancy as well as afterwards. They had 2 choices, St. Joe's Hospital or Phoenix Children's Hospital, both of which have the best doctors but, the specialist recommended us going to St. Joe's so, that I can be with the babies once they are born among other reasons that they have. So we decided that St. Joe's would be the best place.
Dr. Nyberg's office (the heart specialist) has also referred us to Dr. Blumrick which will be my new O.B. and will handle my "regular visits" through the remainder of the pregnancy---he works very closely with St. Joe's Hospital. St. Joe's contacted us today and are having us come in to do a Fetal Echo Exam on both babies tomorrow (6/3), they have to do both babies because legally they have to rule out Baby A and confirm that Baby B has the defect---Which will take approximately an hour for each baby. After that exam we will meet with the Cardiologist to go over the results then they will take us on a tour of St. Joe's to view where they will be delivered, the NICU center, ICU etc. St. Joe's will then be taking over all my ultra-sounds every month so that they can monitor his heart throughout the rest of the pregnancy. On Friday (6/5) we have to meet with the surgeon, Dr. Cleveland, who will be doing the surgery to go over all the details, such as risks, how long he'll be in the hospital, how they'll do the surgery, etc. Basically going over everything that will be going on. We already have a HUGE list of questions for him that we started writing down that will be asked!!
I know that this is a lot to read and take in, trust me we are just as overwhelmed! Which is one of the reasons we decided not to talk to Kaila just yet about what is going on, she is young and we don't want her to be worrying or consuming her life over what's going on for the next few months---she's just a kid and doesn't need to have that on her shoulders right now. However, we will be sitting down with her when it gets closer to them being born to prepare her for what's going to happen when they arrive, but at this time we decided, as her parents, that it's best she not know.
We are trying to be as optimistic as possible during this tough time and we know that with the support of our friends and family we will be able to make it through!! We also know that both babies are going to be healthy and strong! And, no worries, I am taking it much easier as the doctors don't want me to go into labor any earlier than needed, as I am already at a risk of going early because of the twins. So my work hours have changed to be from 7:30-3pm and I'll still takes a lunch as well as many potty breaks since they like to push on mt bladder 24/7 :o) One great thing, is that both babies are doing really well, they are both growing like they are supposed to and are incredibly active...all they do is move and kick all the time, which has had every doctor talking about them because they are so active!! They each weigh 1lb 3oz and we posted 2 pics of them below. Baby A then Baby B.
Thank you for all your good thoughts and prayers, we appreciate it and love you all!!
Rob & Ashley
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