After yesterday’s scan, JourneyMan and I did some research
on the internet and then the panic started.
We found that 2 vessel cords increased the incidence of chromosomal and
congenital defects (especially of the heart and kidney’s). It also significantly increased the risks of
still birth and low birth weight babies.
I tried not to worry until we spoke to our OB
today but of course, the worries crept in.
Unfortunately, it is not only the 2 vessel cord that we need to contend
with – it is the unicornuate uterus that can also contribute complications
(incompetent cervix, high risk of miscarriage, preterm labour and low birth
weight) as well as the factor V leiden which can cause late term miscarriage,
higher risk of blood clots, early onset of pre-eclampsia , higher risk of
placental abruption and a higher incidence of poor fetal growth.
It made me start to wonder ‘how many chips can you have
stacked against you before it all crumbles?’
Is this 2 vessel cord the straw that broke the camel’s back? I didn’t sleep well last night. I had many scenario’s running through my
mind.
Luckily the appointment was pretty early and I have the best
OB in the world. He launched straight in to what was going to
happen with the 2 vessel cord and then gave us plenty of time to ask
questions. I knew that my OB would have dealt with this before because he
specialises in high risk pregnancies and multiples and apparently the 2 vessel
cord is more prevalent in twin pregnancies.
Indeed, he told us that he is writing a paper on the impact of the 2
vessel cord right now. I love this man.
Here is the good news:
- It is unlikely that Boo2 is suffering any chromosomal issues because we were already tested at came back with a very low risk
- It is unlikely that the heart and kidney’s have congenital deformities because when the sonographers picked up the 2 vessel cord, they double checked the heart and kidney’s closely to ensure all is good – it is.
- The likelihood of stillbirth does increase but they will monitor very closely from 32 and if there is any distress, they will get the baby out asap
- At present he is measuring pretty much on the button for 21 weeks (he measured 21 weeks and 1 day on most of his measurements except his head which was 22 weeks and 1 day and the day of the scan was 21 weeks and 3 days)
Here is the not so great news:
- If there is any restriction of growth, they will have to get the baby out early to reduce the stillbirth risk and that is always risky (but better than stillborn)
- The risk of a low birth weight baby with the 2 vessel cord has increased by 30%
- Boo2 and I have a lot of risks to contend with – I hope he is as willing as I am to fight with all I have to get him safely and healthy into the world
The doctor made me feel much, much better but I don’t think
that I will be without worry for the rest of the pregnancy. The most comforting thing that he said was
that ‘the important thing is that I know about it, if I know about it, I can
carefully treat it’ – I am glad that he knows too. This man who brought my darling JBB, the
light of my life, into the world safely – I trust him and hope that he can do
the same for little Boo2. The irony of
the situation is that yesterday was the first scan for Boo2 that I went to that
I wasn’t worried about hearing a heartbeat, I wasn’t even worried that there
was something wrong. I went in there
confident that all was good.
I guess that it is just not in my plan to have a worry free
pregnancy. I absolutely, 100% don’t care
if I have to worry through the next 17 weeks, if I have a healthy baby at the
end of it. It is not the pregnancy that I
care about, it is the little life that I hope to meet (not for another 17 weeks
Boo2 – listen to Mummy please!) and nurture into the future.
So, I feel much better today than I did yesterday. I am going to have to take one day at a time
and be thankful that I have been given this most amazing of gifts. I am asking my angels for the help to keep my
little darling Boo2 safe and sound.
