Hi Friends & Family--
Thank you for continued prayers and support. We're in for the long haul here, and your prayers and faith really do sustain us.
In one week, my uterus expanded 3 cm from 37 to 40--full-term size. (Typically, a woman will gain 1 cm/week in keeping with the age of the baby. I'm 30 weeks, now, so I should be more around 30 cm.) Last Tuesday, the amniotic fluid measured 29 cm. Yesterday, the fluid measured 39 cm. The fluid level is high risk after 25 cm. So the baby continues to create massive amounts of excess amniotic fluid. The cause is still unknown. In addition, the fluid inside the baby's body is beginning to accumulate in other places besides the lungs so we're beginning to see skin edema in the head and arms.
I met with yet another doctor yesterday. I am grateful that the Lord sends the doctor to me that is the exact person with the skills, confidence, and knowledge needed. This doctor's main clinic is in American Fork, but she covered one of the shifts at the Murray hospital yesterday & was given my case to review. Dr. Gainer recommended an immediate amniotic fluid reduction. Last week, the doctors felt that procedure was more of a last resort measure; Dr. Gainer confidently affirmed that the risk of my membranes bursting due to the tension of the fluid put me at great risk of a pre-term delivery. In order to keep the baby in the womb as long as possible, she recommended draining some fluid.
They put a catheter into the womb with a "nice" little needle and vacuumed out 1-1/2 liters of fluid, which will now be used for laboratory tests. The procedure started some consistent contractions as the uterus adjusted to the smaller womb size. The contractions finally stopped around midnight . . . I hope. :-) After the procedure, I now measure 34 cm, and the fluid is down to 21 cm. The hope is that by removing some of the fluid, the baby may be able to drain more out from the body to minimize these additional pockets that are accumulating.
I'll be monitored again on Thursday and hopefully have some of the lab tests back that will narrow down what we may be working with here with this little critter.
I'm praying for fluid drainage from the baby's body! I'm praying for doctors who know what to do and how promptly to act. I'm praying for stamina to keep up with my rapidly expanding (and shrinking) womb. We appreciate your continued unity in praying for these things as well.
Much love,
Desi
