Baby Girl Update

Yesterday Trey and I met with the specialist regarding my blood antibody condition and I had an ultrasound to confirm that the baby is doing well. She is, indeed, growing and developing properly and all signs point to a healthy child. We received good news that my anti-e antibodies are at a very low level and therefore are not a threat or concern right now. However, they will continue to regularly monitor the situation in case anything were to change. I will have blood drawn again next week at my regular pre-natal appointment to see if the antibody levels have increased any in the past month since the last draw, and I will have another ultrasound in a month's time. When they do the ultrasound, they will use Doppler to detect the rate of blood flow in the baby's body to determine if she is anemic as well as look for any possible swelling anemia might cause. This can indicate whether my antibodies have attacked the baby's red blood cells and caused them to break down. Thin blood will flow faster than thick (think water versus maple syrup).

The physician said that this is one of those rare cases in obstetrics when a problem is encountered and there actually is something that can be done to remedy it. If the situation were to escalate, they could treat in one of two ways depending on the point in pregnancy. If I were at a safe delivery gestation, they would just induce labor and deliver our little girl. If not, they could actually transfuse her in utero to correct the anemia. I am currently 30 weeks, 4 days.

I thank you all for the outpouring of love and support over the past week and the powerful prayers which have been lifted up to our great God. Trey and I both have felt an overwhelming sense of peace about this situation knowing we are safe in the strong arms of our Savior. Please continue to pray that our little girl (they checked again and she's still a she) is in no way adversely affected by my anti-e antibodies and that she is delivered healthy and strong at the right time.

And the up side of all of this is that we're getting to see her more regularly before she's actually born. That I can't complain about.