update now 27 weeks
Hi i had a appointment today with my consultant after a long 4 week wait and this is the letter she printed out for me:
There has been a dramatic change since the last scan.The pleural effusions have reduced in size and now a maximum 3.7mm depth compared to 16mm previously. The ascites persists with a maximum measurement of 16mm in the lower abdomen. The liquor is just above the normal range and the UAPI is normal. I do not have an explanation for the improvement of the fetal hydrops. This is obviously good news in terms of reducing the risk of the fetus dying before delivery but now leaves us with further considerations. Although the lungs look normal with the degree of pleural effusions at the crucial time of lung development we do not know whether these lungs will function normally at birth. The partial Dandy-walker abnormality is still evident and there is now significant chance that the baby will be born alive but have some degree of mental or physical handicap related to the brain abnormality if the lungs are able to function following delivery. we have not tested the fetal chromosomes and a chromosome or genetic condition could still be the underlying cause of the abnormalities we have seen.
The doctor said that she had never seen this before and is going to hold a meeting with her collegues.
We are over the moon as you can see from my earlier post we were given basically no hope at all.
All we can do is just keep praying for now and hope this good news just continues.
22 May 2010
1 year 31 weeks
What hospital are you going to and can you find "the best" perinatologist in your area?
It sounds like "great news" that the hydrops is resolving!
Our doctors had told us that they wouldn't deliver until week 32 because the lungs wouldn't be developed enough (and if there is swelling/fluid then it's hard for them to put the chest tube in before week 32)-but if your baby's fluid is resolving, then this sounds like intubation is possible. We were told that if the baby's lungs were underdeveloped then they could always use drugs to 'grow them' if needed.
The blood flow they are talking about: we went to Seattle's Children's Hospital for our echos and they could check on the blood flow in the brain and umbilical cord. - they shouldn't be concerned about brain damage unless they have run an echo and can see the blood flow...otherwise it sounds like speculation - and no one knows how the baby is doing (from what I can tell) until they are brought into the world.
Sounds great that the hydrops is resolving- since you have made it another 4 weeks I would ask for more monitoring! Like every week--
Good luck and keep us posted, Pasha
4 June 2010
22 weeks 4 days
Hi we are from the UK and are been seen at Leeds general infirmary. We have an appointment next week for an MRI to check our baby's brain.
At are appointment before the fluid started to go we were told that if and when i go in to labor they would not monitor baby's heart rate or do a C section as they baby would more a less die!!!
We will be going for another scan at the end of next week so will keep you updated.