Yes, we are officially announcing the gender of our baby to be, as I am 31 weeks along we are in the need of specific prayers for her.
At 26 weeks I was exposed to the para virus B, a disease more commonly known as "slapped cheek", by one of my students. Normally, this disease goes unnoticed as it is simply flu-like symptoms accompanied by a rash that appears as Rosy cheeks (or a slapped cheek.) When infected the patient is contagious for 14-20 days prior to any symptoms. So when my student was sent home with a rash, it was too late for preventative action. My student's parent contacted the school to let us know he would be out ill for the duration of a week.
IN hearing this, I was alerted by my administration because this disease is only harmful to expecting mothers, as the disease could potentially harm the developing fetus. Feeling fine and thinking nothing of it, I did not panic but e-mailed my doctor in precaution, letting him be aware of my exposure. His return e-mail the following day did not come across concerned as I had not had any symptoms, but he ordered Lab work to be done just in case.
The following week I had a sonogram scheduled, and took a half day off of work to get the tests done. It was very fun to get to see our little girl moving around inside, and see her heart shaped lips, furry head, and chubby cheeks. Surely someone this cute must be fine right? After the sonogram, I went to the lab for some blood work. Hearing nothing from the doctor, I decided to go on with my plans to attend our bible study's retreat in the snow. On Saturday while away, my doctor had both called and e-mailed me to let me know that the blood work came back positive-I had been exposed and was infected with the virus. Unfortunately I was still unaware as I had limited access to media at the cabin. (Had I known this I probably would have let Brandon come up and get me, rather than dig my car out of the snow-a process that took almost 2 hours!)
In returning from my trip, my car was acting up and so I was distracted for the majority of the next day trying to get the coolant system repaired, therefore not getting the doctor's urgent message until Tuesday after work. Quiet tears streamed down my cheeks as I listened to the genetic counselor on the phone when she described the implications of the virus, Brandon's face contorting with worry as we watched my conversation. Words like "deformities, miscarriage, anemia, brain damage" are not things any expecting mother wants to hear. At the end of the phone call she did assure me saying that I was fortunate to have been exposed later in my pregnancy as opposed to earlier in my first trimester when the risk was greatest. When I had calmed down a bit, I phoned my friends with little children and friends who are also pregnant and made them aware of the situation so that they too could get tested. We are still waiting for the results of my pregnant friends, and I pray, oh how I pray I did not infect them unknowingly!
On Friday, yesterday, I left work at half day so Brandon and I could make the 45 min. drive to Modesto, as our Stockton facility does not have the resources needed for genetic tracing. When we got there we had yet another sonogram, again seeing her beautiful face, and watched her blood pump through the chambers of her heart. After the thorough scan, the doctor came in and told us that she does in fact show the beginning traces of anemia, and some fluid building up around her heart-which is common with contracted Parvo. My world spun here, and a tear betrayed me as it slid down my cheek. To be honest with you I had a hard time focusing as he continued, but was delighted to hear that she "had a beautiful" brain. So, although the anemia was not good news, it was better news than it could have been. The doctor went onto explain that we are fortunate that I am far enough along that her development is not threatened. I received a steroid injection that would stimulate the development of her lungs in the instance of an emergency c-section at a future date. I will return later today for my second injection. On Monday we are going to the Sacramento Hospital were the specialist will draw blood from her umbilical cord to determine if this is as severe as they believe, if it is she will begin blood transfusions while in the womb and then continue the transfusions after delivery. I will begin weekly monitoring starting on Friday Feb 3rd, where they will monitor her heart to determine if she can stay in the womb for the remaining 9 weeks or if they will need to deliver earlier. The thought of a C-section is NOT ideal, and something I have feared with each birth, but it is not the worst either. I am fortunate to live in a culture and age where such medical technologies make this a possibility.
God has provided us with good insurance, and me with a good and supportive job that provides for her needs. I thank God for being involved every step of the way, including my being as far along as I am where the risks are minimal. We are still praying for a miracle, that she will recover at the Great Physician's hand, and we will know more as time goes on. Please keep HER in your prayers, the more we lift her up, the better. In the meantime, my nesting instincts have kicked into gear as my mom and I ordered the crib set last night:
I have been a cleaning machine, I mean scrubbing the floor-after removing the Stove-kind of cleaning. (I know, just the opposite of the rest I probably should be enduring, but hey, it is how I cope.) I get excited with each movement I feel, and joyful at the thought that I get to meet her soon. Even better, I get to see her weekly until I get to hold her in my arms.
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