Joe and I went into the doctors today to discuss some testing that is being proposed for our baby. For those that don't know, I had an older brother, that was born before me and after Crystal. His name was Bobby. My mom went into labor with him when she was about 7 months pregnant. Once he was born, they discovered his kidneys and lungs were not fully developed. He had Potters Syndrome. Potters Syndrome, is a rare, non-compatible with life, syndrome. They call it a syndrome because there isn't just one problem, several problems are interconnected.
A fetus is responsible for producing their own amniotic fluid, from their kidneys. Basically, amniotic fluid is their urine, they pretty much swim around in their own urine! However, this fluid is essential for developement. The baby must inhale/digest this fluid to help the lungs develop and expand. Withough enough fluid, the lungs just won't develop!
A baby can never live with this syndrome. The longest a child has lived is 2 days. My brother Bobby died after 2 days of birth, of respiratory failure, because his lungs just couldn't support him. There is nothing any doctor can do about this, anywhere in the world. Potters Syndrome is a horrific tragedy for any family affected.
Having a direct relative with Potters Syndrome, the red flags went up for my doctor. They thought it was best to give me as much information about PS as possible, and reccommended that I go up to St. Vincent Hospitial to the NW Perinatal Center, to be seen my a genetic specialist and undergo extensive testing, including detailed ultrasounds and blood work.
After thinking and praying, Joe and I had 2nd thoughts about the testing. If I tested positive, they would reccommend I terminate the pregnancy, induce labor early at any time I wanted or go as long as I could. Knowing, we were not intested in the first two options, we decided, with the help of our doctor, that we declined the testing.
My dr. will be able to tell at the normal 20week ultrasound, if I have enough amniotic fluid (remember the kidneys have to produce it, and if they baby has PS, then there will be no kidneys to produce the fluid) and if they kidneys are the correct size, or if there are kidneys at all.
Even though I have family history with PS, I still am at a VERY LOW risk of it. It is so rare, and I've researched that once it happens once in your family, it probably will never occur again. My mom went on with 2 more healthy pregnancies after Bobby and my sister Crystal delivered 2 healthy babies! Joe and I are very optimistic!
To ease us a little, my doctor decided we would have 2 ultrasounds. One at 18 weeks, which we'll primarily be looking for PS. Checking the fluid levels and kidneys.
The second, will be at 22 weeks, which will be the standard 20wk range ultrasound, where they check on all of the babys organs to make sure they're measuring properly.
We will most likely be able to tell at 18 weeks what gender our baby will be! Even though that won't be the main purpose!
We're very excited...less than 7 weeks and we'll probably know...boy or girl!
No comments:
Post a Comment