Hey everyone! Just writing to keep everyone updated about what’s going on in our lives. I wasn’t going to update until after yesterday because quite honestly, not too much had been happening. But recent events have definitely been faith-stretchers, and it certainly won’t get any easier from here on out. But we know that really everything is for our own good, so we are definitely comforted by that. 🙂
The last time I visited with the doctor I was asked if I was interested in getting some blood tests done to screen for possible complications with the baby. As someone who likes to be prepared, I said, “Sure, why not?” As long as it wouldn’t harm the baby I didn’t see any reason why we couldn’t find out ahead of time, and if we did have something come up, I could start preparing right away. Having worked with Deaf kids I know how important it is to start everything right away with kids, as any lack of exposure to the crucial elements of development could really hinder a child’s future progress. So I got the blood test done a few weeks ago…and they said it tested positive for spina bifida. Now, I had been warned beforehand that this test comes back as a false positive A LOT, so I actually wasn’t concerned…yet. We had to get scheduled for a level 2 ultrasound so they could take a better look at the spine and confirm/deny the diagnosis. The news itself, although alarming, did spur the prayer lives of many, and so for that I’m grateful. God had given me a real peace about it, and now I could prepare. Plus, I was feeling confident that the amount of morning sickness I had, a good ultrasound at 8 weeks and hearing the heartbeat twice, and lots of recent kicking from our little one was a good sign.
We had our ultrasound yesterday, and ultimately although we were nervous about what we would find, we were excited that we would get to learn if we were having a boy or a girl. We first had to sit down with the genetic counselor, who went over the numbers with us and we found out that there was a 1:100 chance this baby would have spina bifida. That made us feel VERY relieved. Such a small number meant it was more likely that we were going to have a healthy baby. We were taken back for the ultrasound, and after a quick look the ultrasound tech told us, “Here’s your baby…and here’s the other one.” Shock of a lifetime! We asked her to double check for us; sure enough, there were two in there. She told us that was the reason our number for spina bifida was high. After she checked everything, she told us they were identical twin girls, both healthy right now. But isn’t there always a catch? It’s looking like we will be dealing with something called twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). She explained it as one baby isn’t really “sharing” with the other one, and so one of them isn’t getting all the things she needs to grow at the same rate. We aren’t in the worst stages of it yet, and I am praying that it never comes to that. Add to that, we are a bit unprepared for a life with twins. Mentally I was prepared for a special needs baby, but I was not prepared for this. I could sure use everyone’s fervent prayer that these girls will make it to the end, and we can have two healthy daughters. It will certainly be a handful, as I wasn’t really sure what to do with just ONE baby! I woke up this morning asking God for a miracle: that we could make it to at least 35 weeks. It’s almost certain they will come before their February 10 due date.
I’m sure I’ll be posting more on this blog as now we have to monitor our girls very closely. Here’s a picture of the two of them, whom we have decided to name Eva Miriam and Abigail Christine. Needless to say, these next few months will be very interesting! I’m sure I’ll be calling my sister-in-law, who has fraternal twins, quite a bit for advice. 🙂
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