June 29, 2009

Biophysical Ultrasound Update...

We had another ultrasound and baby passed with flying colors in about 15 minutes. Some babies take up to 30 minutes to go through all of the tests. They continue to look for each arm and leg to move and for fetal breathing. We are doing great! We also got some new photos of the baby's face. It is amazing to see how much he/she has changed in such a short amount of time. The baby's tongue was going crazy while we were watching.

The baby is now back in it's favorite position, like a pike diver. Its head and feet are up near my ribs and bottom is down by my pelvis. I think this baby might have an inkling into my fears of labor, hence, staying breech and requiring a c-section. We have not scheduled a c-section yet, but will find out more next week on Monday. The ultrasound next week will also give us more information about the baby's weight and length.

No major changes to report. We lost our second daycare provider. This process is becoming a little too much for us. We think we have things lined up and then WHAM! we are back at the beginning. Wayne is priming the basement as I update. He really does not like painting, as he reminds me each time I check on him. He is doing a great job though! We should have painted walls this week. Nothing like waiting for the last minute.

I am feeling good for the most part, enjoying the cooler weather! I am probably the only Minnesotan enjoying the winds and 70 degree temps. It beats the 90 degree temps last week. I get to go outside and not swell up like a sausage! Someone told me early in my pregnancy to buy a small batman pool (why batman, I don't know) and sit in the backyard. I thought they were crazy at the time. Now, the neighbors kiddie pool isn't looking too bad! Would they know I used it while they are at work?

Here are pictures from our ultrasound:

1. Profile picture of face

2. Looking directly at baby's face. You can see the cleft lip on the left side of the face.

3. The bottom of baby's foot and the other foot is underneath.

4. Another face picture with a hand up my the nose. "Enough pictures of me already!"

June 24, 2009

I have been getting some harassing phone calls and emails in regards to my lack of updating lately, my deepest apologies.

We had a doctor appointment on Monday, June 15, which I did not write about. We arrived at the clinic for another biophysical ultrasound and then to meet with the doctor. Last week, we ended up waiting for over two hours to see the doctor after our ultrasound. We were a bit unnerved to learn at 9:30 in the morning (appointments start at 8:00 in an OB/GYN clinic, not family practice), the doctor was already running late. We decided we were not going to wait this time, so left. The only information we received from this appointment was from the ultrasound tech. The amniotic fluid looks good and baby passed all movement tests in about 15 minutes. I am surprised it took that long, as this baby is a mover and shaker! I hope he/she gets my dance moves and not Wayne's.

On Wednesday, June 24, we went in for our weekly biophysical ultrasound....again. We switched doctors for this one as the head of North Memorial scheduling called and apologized for our previous two visits. Everyone was on schedule this time! The ultrasound went great. Baby passed all movement tests in about 10 minutes. The ultrasound tech thanked us for our efficiency. We also learned that the baby has moved from a pike position to feet down and head up. Wayne and I thought this was progress, that the baby had moved to a new position. Not a great position, but a new position none the less. However, when we met with Dr. Martini she was quick to point out that this was a worse position than before. She said we will decide in the next weeks if a scheduled c-section is up our alley. Other than positioning, everything looks great.

I think I have begun my nesting phase, as I am cleaning and organizing. Or maybe it is going stir crazy being in the house because it is too hot for this body outside. Or maybe it is because we still have a baby room that needs: paint, doors, trim, window casing, closet fixtures, furniture, etc. Or maybe it is because my house is a disaster and I am now up off the couch long enough to do something about it. Any of these are viable possibilities. No comments from the peanut gallery please!

Thank you for the emails and phone calls, although I poke fun at you, I sure appreciate the thoughts and prayers. Our next appointment is Monday and PROMISE to update after that appointment.

Have a great weekend/week!

June 9, 2009

Today, we had our final ultrasound at the Perinatal Center at North Memorial in Robbinsdale. We learned the heart, brain, lungs, and kidneys are working well. We also learned that Baby Smith weighs 5 pounds right now, putting it 12 days ahead of where it is supposed to be. I declared this should mean I get to deliver early, the doctor clarified that this means our baby is in the 95% percentile for weight. In English, what does this mean...BIG BABY!!! However, this does mean that our baby is growing and developing on its own just fine, which is great news. We got to see the bladder full of fluid, which is also a good thing. Baby is swallowing amniotic fluid and its kidneys are functioning properly. The swallowing piece is huge with the baby's cleft lip and palate.

They were unable to determine if the cleft lip remains to be unilateral or if it may be bilateral. Bilateral means both sides would be affected. With the baby's position, it was too difficult for the ultrasound technician or doctor to determine. Upon leaving the parking ramp, we learned you must have cash to pay. We did not have cash, but rummaged just about enough change to pay. We came up $1.00 short and the parking attendant still left us leave. Moral of the story: Parking attendants aren't so bad.

We took a tour of the hospital during our fourth child birth class. There is a different room for each stage of labor. I hope we don't get lost! We also saw a c-section video. I say, enough videos. They tend to scar me for weeks. For those of you who have given birth already, I applaud you. I am feeling a little leery about this whole process.

Our next ultrasound is on Monday, June 15 and child birth class is Tuesday, June 16.
Thank you to everyone who has been praying for our family. We appreciate it!
32 weeks and counting.

June 8, 2009

We had our first biophysical ultrasound today at Oakdale OB/GYN in Maple Grove. Our baby was given its first test. Baby received points for showing fetal breathing and moving arms and legs seperately. We are pleased to report he/she passed with flying colors. They also measured the amniotic fluid, which was in the low-average range. We go back next Monday for another biophysical ultrasound and have to meet with the doctor to watch the amniotic fluid. The doctor also measured the baby's heart rate, which is 154. Boy or Girl??? The doctor said the old wives tales are hogwash!

We go tomorrow for a Level 2 ultrasound at the Perinatal Center at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale. We also have our fourth child birth class.

May 31, 2009

Good Afternoon!

We met with Gillette Children's Hospital on Tuesday, May 26. We met Dr. Wood, the plastic surgeon, Dr. Cermin, the orthodontist, and Cheryl Shell, the lactation consultant/nurse practitioner. We will be using Gillette Children's hospital instead of the Children's Hospital. We made this decision based on Dr. Wood and Dr. Cermin's extensive history in cranofacial surgery. The pictures they showed us were unbelievable. They were very thorough with the timeline we will follow and took time to answer all of our questions.

Dr. Cermin designed the OrthoCleft Retainer, which is an oral retainer make of acrylic and wires. They customize the retainer to fit the baby at a week old and modify it weekly until the first surgery, which takes place at 12 weeks (3 months). The appliance brings gum segments together, reducing the gap in the mouth, stretching the lip muscles, and give the nose a more even shape. It will also help improve sucking and eating abilities. The retainer comes out twice a day to clean, but is in the rest of the time. It was amazing to see pictures of children who used the retainer and those that did not.

Dr. Wood is a very confident doctor, with a straight-forward approach to this process. He has studied cranofacial abnormalities through medical school and has specialized in this type of surgery throughout his career. He will be doing the cleft lip surgery and the palate surgery. The cleft lip normally requires only one reconstructive surgery. This surgery will restore the mouth's normal shape and function. The nostrils are also repaired during this surgery. This surgery is typically an hour in length and requires an overnight stay.

Beginning June 8, we will have weekly ultrasound visits. They will be looking to see if growth is continuing and will decide if a natural birth is best. So far so good. Many people have asked us if we really know the gender of the baby and just aren't telling. We REALLY DON'T know. When they go to that region, we close our eyes.

We will be delivering at North Memorial in Robbinsdale and not needing any additional care there, unless feeding becomes difficult. If this changes, we'll let you know.

We cannot say thank you enough for the prayers, cards, and phone calls. We appreciate all of the support. It means the world to all three of us.

Here is the website to Gillette Children's Hospital if you want to read more: http://www.gillettechildrens.org/default.cfm?PID=1.17.1.2

Here is a timeline of surgeries too:
Week 1: Visit with Gillette Children's Hospital to do initial retainer fitting
Week 2-10: ENT Consultation to insert tubes in ears
Week 12: Cleft Lip Surgery
Week 12: Speech and Language Initial Evaluation

Month 9-12: Cleft Palate Repair
Month 9-12: Speech and Language Follow-Up
Month 12: Dental Check-up
Month 12-18: Speech and Language Therapy

Follow-up surgeries are schedules after this time, depending on the need of the child.

We look forward to sharing news with you as we get it!
Thank you.
Wayne, Shannon, Baby Smith

April 28, 2009

Good Evening!
Wayne and I had our second visit at the Perinatal Center in North Memorial Hospital. We had our second Level 2 ultrasound. The Perinatal Center has more advanced technology when doing ultrasounds, allowing us to see the baby in 3D. Just like the last appointment, the baby was not very cooperative when trying to get a profile picture. Sounds just like our offspring….glad the attitude is starting early!
Our baby’s growth is right on target. In four weeks time, he/she weighs 2 pounds, doubling in size from our last visit. It was amazing to see the growth in such a short amount of time. We were able to see the brain, heart, kidneys, gallbladder, and liver, all in wonderful working condition. We were also able to see the hands and feet too. The feet have grown to 2 inches long. I think we may have a diver on our hands, as baby was in a perfect pike position.
We also learned more about the cleft lip and palate. The cleft lip is a unilateral split to the left. The baby will also have a cleft hard and soft palate. We will be delivering at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale. We made this decision after talking with our OB, Dr. Sarkinen. She is confident in her abilities and North Memorial’s facilities to deliver our child. We are working on picking a surgeon and pediatrician. Our two options are The Children’s Hospital and Gillette Children’s Hospital.
The staff at the Perinatal Center have been phenomenal. They answer our questions with straight forward answers. The doctor we had today recommended an extended maternity leave to help deal with all of the surgeries, appointments, and feeding.Please continue to keep us in your prayers. Wayne, Shannon, and Baby Smith

March 22, 2009

Good Evening!
We are writing this email to each of you, not as a way to sound insincere or impersonal, but for a way for everyone to get the same information at the same time. We love each of you very much and are going to need you for support in the upcoming months.
As you are well aware, we are due August 5. We are 22 weeks or about 5 months pregnant. On March 26, we went for our 20 week ultrasound at North Memorial Clinic with our regular OB doctor. We found out our baby will be born with a cleft lip and possibly a cleft palate. We were referred to the Perinatal Center at North Memorial Hospital to have a Level 2 ultrasound. The Level 2 ultrasound allowed the nurses and doctors to see the baby in more detail and also in 3D, which was pretty amazing to see. It was like the baby was staring right back at us on the screen. The Level 2 ultrasound confirmed that the baby indeed will have a cleft lip and possible cleft palate. It is difficult for doctors to determine if the baby will have a cleft palate because they cannot get a good look inside the mouth through ultrasound.
Today, we had a consultation at the Cleft and Craniofacial Clinic through Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. We were given information on the surgical process and different things we get decided soon. We need to decide, with the guidance of our OB doctor, if we will deliver at North Memorial Hospital or at Abbott Northwestern. We also need to determine who our pediatrician will be so we can begin to line up care after the baby is born. We will also need to pick which surgeon we will use to repair the cleft.
The really good news is this appears to be an isolated incident, meaning no other body parts or functions are being affected. We have seen two hands with five fingers on each hand and two feet with five toes, all moving on their own. The heart has four developed chambers, working properly. The brain is developing normally, along with the spine. Although, there is no guarantee, the doctors have been very positive on the rest of development.
The cleft lip and palate are surgically repairable, but will take some time. The first surgery will occur 6-8 weeks from delivery to repair the lip. During this time, feeding may be difficult as we will not be able to nurse, but can use breast milk. We will need to get special bottles with special nipples to ensure proper feeding. If palate surgery is needed, they will do surgery at 10-16 months. Along with the lip and palate surgery, the baby will have to have tubes in their ears at about 6 months as the Eustachian tubes do not develop normally. We will have a team of specialists working with us to monitor hearing, speech, dental issues, etc.
We are feeling quite overwhelmed with all of the decisions that need to be made and dealing with the emotions that come with learning about our new baby. We are hoping to keep everyone up-to-date so everyone knows what to expect at delivery and thereafter. Any extra prayers you can send our way would be greatly appreciated.
Our plan is to email all siblings later this week with the same information. Thank you for understanding and being supportive. We love you.
Wayne, Shannon, and Baby Smith