25 weeks and 3 days

Another ultrasound today at Columbia. Again, things looked encouraging. All Dopplers were normal and Deepest Vertical Pockets were well within normal range. C's cervix remains long and closed (is that too much information? sorry.), which is good news--as the cervix shortens, pre-term labor becomes more likely. Our larger baby still has a heart that is thicker than normal, but so long as the situation doesn't worsen (it hasn't yet), he should see his heart return to normal thickness within the first year of his life.

For the first time, our high-risk doctor discussed the possibility of prolonging the pregnancy as far as 36 weeks. It's not likely, but we're pretty excited to have that option in the conversation. In the past, we've been braced for birth by C-section as early as 32 weeks, followed by a 4+ week stay in the NICU (Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit). Hoping to make it past 32 weeks, and today's visit made that seem possible...

Next week, another echocardiogram.

Thanks so much for your continued support.

Thursday

Our Thursday appointment (ultrasound measurements of growth) went as well as could be expected. The Deepest Vertical Pocket for both babies is now approximately equal, at just above 5 cm. In that regard, they're both in a normal range. The Dopplers were very good. The one issue that did have us concerned was that, though both babies have grown, the size discordance has improved very little (from 40% to 37%). C and I had hoped to see that gap close significantly. Though we weren't scheduled to see a doctor (all measurements were taken by a nurse), we asked to discuss the discordance with whoever was on duty.

When the doctor came in and looked at the measurements, she told us that she was thrilled with our progress. She said that we shouldn't expect the discordance to resolve (though it might), but we should monitor the smaller baby's growth as compared to other fetuses at this stage in the pregnancy. These measurements are made in percentiles. On Thursday, he was at 17%, as compared to below 10% pre-surgery. While 17% isn't ideal, below 10% is something of a danger zone, so the doctor (Dr. Lerner) was very positive about our progress. Apparently, we were somewhat unreasonable to think the discordance would have resolved so quickly. The doctor assured us that everything was going as well as it could.

Another successful visit. Next ultrasound on Wednesday.

Thanks so much to all our friends and family.

More reassuring news

Echo Cardiogram this morning showed little change in the boys' hearts. While we'd hoped to see the recipient's heart improve (Dr. Glickstein had told us that he was a 9 out 10 two weeks ago...we were hoping for a 10), Dr. told us that 9 out of 10 is perfectly fine. According to her, if we can maintain this level of heart health until delivery, we'll all be very pleased.

Ultrasound was brief (no measurements for growth), but encouraging. Deepest Vertical Pocket on the Donor was around 3.5 cm! That's the first time he's been within the normal range! Exclamation points! When Dr. Miller (a lot of names to keep track of) came in to assess the pictures, he said "Everything points to a successful laser surgery. If I had only seen today's ultrasound and didn't know your history, I'd have assumed we were dealing with a normal twin pregnancy." Best news we've heard in a long time. We spent the little time we were alone high-fiving Miller's assessment.

We had a short wrap-up with Dr. Simpson, then hit the road.

Though the news was all good, we're still not sure where we really stand until next week, when we see if the donor baby closed the size discordance at all. He may not catch up before he's born, but we hope to see improvement.

C's dad is driving in this week. My parents will come in on Sunday. Thanks to all friends and family. We'd be nowhere without you.