Michael and Christine discovered they were going to be having a new little one in June, 2017 with a due date of February 9, 2018. Jackson was going to be a big brother. They kept their special news to themselves for a while. At eleven weeks they had their first ultrasound and all looked well with the baby. At nineteen weeks, they had a gender reveal ultrasound and planned a big celebration. The scavenger hunt revealed the baby was going to be a GIRL with TWO sisters. There were three babies growing inside that had not showed up at the first ultrasound. A set of identical twins sharing a placenta but having their own sacs and a single with her own placenta and sac. And for those of you who wonder, there were no fertility drugs involved. One in 8500 chance of conceiving triplets naturally.
They were referred to a larger hospital in a much larger metropolitan area. The babies were named Baby A, Baby B, and Baby C. It was soon discovered that Baby A had reverse flow in her umbilical cord. The doctors told them that she would not survive without a miracle. And if she were to pass this would adversely affect the other twin sharing the placenta and could also pass. The doctors discussed selective abortion to guarantee one healthy baby. Michael and Christine chose to keep all three babies in the safest place for them for as long as possible. Every week adds a ten percent survival rate. 28 weeks was the magic number for 90 percent chance of survival.
21 WEEKS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4
Baby A weighs 10 oz and Baby B and C weigh 13 oz. A and B are the identical twins and A is the one with the reverse flow. C is the single baby.
22 WEEKS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11
Baby A's blood flow volume in her body looks good even though the cord does not look like it would be supplying enough. Her heart looks good. Baby A weighs 11 oz and Baby B weighs 17.6 oz and Baby C weighs 21 oz. We need another 5.5 weeks to get to 28 weeks.
23 WEEKS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18
Babies A, B, and C are all at a pound or over. Baby A gained significant weight. Baby A weighs 16 oz, Baby B weighs 17.6 oz, and Baby C weighs 21 oz. HALLELUJAH! Her cord is still showing back flow. This could be due to coilage around her neck or a Downs syndrome. Since the cord is wrapped around her neck, Christine will either be admitted to the hospital for twice daily monitoring or drive three times a week an hour and a half to the hospital for monitoring. Pray that backflow decreases or stops altogether, the cord unwraps safely, and wisdom in making decisions.
24 WEEKS
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20
Christine will be admitted on Monday. All three babies scored 6 out of 8 on the biophysical test. This test scores heart rate, breathing, movement, muscle tone, and amniotic fluid level. Keep praying for our miracle babies.
24 WEEKS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 23
Doctors want to take babies this week. Survival is not very high. Every week makes a huge difference. Christine is admitted to the hospital and Michael is in the process of moving them from a duplex to a four bedroom house. Baby A is still not getting enough nutrients even though she is gaining weight. Pray for Baby A specifically to have enough nutrients to survive and thrive. Pray they can stay in there as long as possible.
24 WEEKS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24
Doctors gave Christine steroid shots to strengthen babies lungs. They will monitor them carefully. Cord insertion of Baby A is till of concern to doctors. She needs nutrients and blood flow. They will be doing multiple tests. Pray for positive outcomes, God's protection and healing, and to stay safe in mama for as long as possible. They will check Baby A's umbilical cord on Thursday. Miracles needed. Three more weeks.
25 WEEKS
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27
Backflow is still continuing in Baby A and now looks like Baby B may have the same issue now. Christine is very discouraged. Michael is in the midst of moving and is 1.5 hours from Christine. A lot of prayers for many concerns.
25 WEEKS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31
Babies keep passing the non-stress tests. Hearts are beating well. They move a lot. Christine can tell which baby is which by location. The backflow issue now seems to be the placenta is pumping too much blood and thus the backflow. This can make their hearts work too hard. Pray for lungs to mature and babies to be healthy and ready to be born in a week or two.
Baby A's heart dropped too low. They moved Christine to labor and delivery to monitor her. They are giving her magnesium to help prevent neurological issues if born so early. Please pray for our miracle babies. One of the nurses tonight had Romans 12 tattooed on the nape of her neck.
25 WEEKS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2
Triplets are growing. NICU wants them over 500 grams before birth. Today Baby A weighs 609 grams = 21.5 oz, Baby B weighs 729 grams = 25.7 oz, and Baby C weighs 781 grams = 27.5 oz. Baby A and C showed breathing movement. Baby B wasn't in a position to see if she was. 26 weeks tomorrow. Keep praying for our miracle babies. Your intercession is greatly appreciated.
26 WEEKS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3
Babies had another biophysical test today. A and C scored 10 out of 10. B scored 8 out of 10 because she wouldn't be still enough to see her breathing movement. The miracle babies are doing miraculously well. Keep prayers for them.
26 WEEKS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Babies passed their biophysical test today with flying colors. All babies scored 10 our of 10. Baby B was showing off by breathing and hiccupping at the same time. Baby A is doing great despite her reverse flow. Doctors are amazed at how well she is doing. We are taking it day by day. Keep up the prayers you wonderful warriors.
27 WEEKS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10
I was able to observe the ultrasound of the biophysical test today. Once again they passed with flying colors. Ii asked the tech how often babies practice their breathing and she said usually not until 30 weeks but these babies are rock stars. Our miracle babies are continuing to amaze the doctors. They are 27 weeks today. Keep praying please. As long as Baby A is doing ok they will keep them in mama as long as possible.
27 WEEKS, 2 DAYS
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Baby A's heart rate dropped again. Then Christine started having contractions. They are prepping her for a C section now. Pray for the miracle babies and Michael and Christine.
No comments:
Post a Comment