And it's good!

Good visit at CHOP today. The babies are getting big! 13oz and 15oz which is only 8% difference. They look to have within a 20% difference. Good blood flow through the cords. We will return in two weeks to finalize hospital plans.

Oy Vey Genetics!

I just received a call from the maternal fetal medicine nurse at St. Peter's.  Turns out that I am a carrier for a "Jewish" genetic disease.  It is an abnormality of the 9th chromosome.  Leads to what is called Riley Day Syndrome.  There looks to a good explanation on this web page http://healthguide.howstuffworks.com/riley-day-syndrome-dictionary.htm
So now Will is tested to see if he is a carrier as well.  Never thought I would be so over joyed I did not marry a jewish man ;)  Apparently it is very rare in the general population.  Let us all keep our fingers crossed!

Visit to St Peters Today

Ah bright and early! 7:30 am appt at St. Peter's.    All mom's parts look good for keeping the babies in.  The doppler shows good blood flow to each of the babies.  They are getting so big.  I couldn't help myself but to say "hi bubbies" and smile when I saw them.  The final results of the amnio came in and they are all normal!

My regular doctor is on vacation so I met with the covering doc.  He is one of the few MD geneticists in NJ.  He feels that although the missing lung most likely does not have anything to do with genetics he would like to investigate the cells collected from the amnio further.  Now they can test for what is called "micro arrays" within the genetic code.  This looks even closer at the chromosomes that what is seen in a normal amnio.  This detects minor additions and subtractions in the genetic code.  My blood was taken as well to analyze whether I am a carrier for genetic problems.

So next visits- Aug 27 at CHOP for doppler to monitor blood flow to babies and amniotic fluid volume
                                        (this will be done every 2wks right now and growth monitored every 3-4 wks)
                       Aug 31 at my general OB for montly checkup

I am working on getting the sonorgram pics up but for some reason it is not loading.  I got plenty of time to figure it out now that my days are dental free!

Time Line

Week 4- We're Pregnant!


Week 5- Nasty, nasty cold.


Week 6- My pants are tight.  I need maternity clothes, already?!


Week 7- Leaving for Greece and its TWINS


Week 10- Identical twins, maybe mono/mono what?


Week 12-  They are conjoined-  just kidding!  Mono/mono twins confirmed.  Mom needs to be hospitalized at 23 weeks at Jersey Shore Medical Center.


Later Week 12-  No we don't want just the specialist to handle your case.  We will switch you to St. Peter's Hospital.


Week 15- Sciatic nerve pain begins.  These long days are killing me.  Mom doesn't need to be hospitalized at St Peter's until 24-25 weeks.


Week 16-  Congratulations!  Two Boys!  Oh but one has the heart in the wrong place.  This could be three things 1. a mass 2. missing lung  3. diaphramatic hernia.


Week 18-  The heart is still in the wrong place.  Probably diaphramatic hernia. Mom needs amnio.  The kids bat the needle away.   Please go to CHOP for MRIs and further testing.


Week 19- Bronchitis!!!  A day at CHOP.  One hour for MRI.  Two 2 hour sonograms.  Genetic counseling.  Mom should deliver at CHOP.


Week 20- Tell the powers that be I cannot work anymore.  They call me into work anyway.  Spend two hours on the phone coordinating prenatal appointments.  


Anticipated hospitalization 28 weeks.
Anticipated delivery 34 weeks
Anticipated love for these two guys- forever!!

Introduction

I wanted to have a way for people to be informed about what is happening with the twins.  I figured this was an easy way to keep up for those who want to be informed.  

Little A and Little B are mono zygotic/ mono amniotic twins.  This means that they are identical twins within the same amniotic sac.  These types of twins account for 1% of all identical twins.  Identical twins are not hereditary and the exact cause is unknown.  I think it is from standing in front of the x-ray machine at work and that is why I call them the "X-men."

I always had a hunch that they were boys from the way I see them kick and punch each other at each sonogram.  At this point it is confirmed- they are two boys.  

Last week we did find out that Little B has only one lung.  This condition, unilateral pulmonary agenesis, is also extremely rare.  The good news is you can live with one lung.  Complications can range from minor to major, but we are hoping for the best!