**This is a long story...so be prepared... :) **
My husband, Rob, and I had tried to get pregnant for over 2 years. On October 16, 2010, I got a positive home pregnancy test. We went to the OB around 8 weeks for the first ultrasound and everything looked good. :) That was a relief to us since we had just experienced a miscarriage in April 2010. We told our parents and families...everyone was so excited! Things were progressing normally and I was feeling pretty good, despite the typical early pregnancy symptoms. We decided to affectionately refer to the baby as "Junebug" since it would make its appearance on June 20 and we weren't sure if it was a boy or girl.
On January 17, 2011, we went to the OB again for our 18 week ultrasound...ready to hear "It's a girl" or "It's a boy". The ultrasound tech was getting the baby's measurements even though it was all curled up in a ball. Feet by its head, and hand behind it's head...just relaxing. But from what she could tell everything looked good. The heartbeat was 160 bpm, the femur and head were measuring right, and it was moving around. She then told us there was not much amnionic fluid in there...and asked if I had noticed any leaking. I hadn't...so she quickly stopped the ultrasound and took us to an exam room to wait for the OB. We waited for (what seemed like) an eternity and prayed that everything would be ok with our little Junebug. She came in and explained that there was hardly any fluid, which was concerning. She took us to the office next door (Maternal Fetal Medicine) so they can do a more in-depth ultrasound and figure out why there isn't fluid like there should be. At this point, Rob and I were both a mess....and I mean mess!! Something is wrong with our Junebug?!?! This wasn't how the day was suppose to go!
We were at that Dr's office for about 2 hours...I had 2 ultrasounds (one by the tech and one by the dr). They determined that Junebug's kidneys weren't functioning like they should. Doesn't sound like a big problem, but it was! The kidneys filter blood and make "urine", which the baby then excretes. The "urine" is what becomes the amnionic fluid. The baby breathes in the fluid and helps to develop the lungs. Without developed lungs, this baby can't make it outside the womb. Unfortunately, there was nothing medically that can be done. It's truly all in God's hands!
Over the next several weeks, we went for weekly ultrasounds and appointments at the Maternal Fetal Medicine office. Each week we were hopeful that God answered our prayers...to heal our baby, to let our baby live, and to not let my baby suffer. We know that God was in control! At week 20, we found out that since there wasn't much room in the placenta without the fluid, the baby would probably end up laying on the umbilical cord causing it to die. The average gestation for babies with this problem is about 24-26 weeks, which means I could have a few more weeks in this pregnancy.
Well, we made it to week 24 and met with our MFM specialist, OB, and a neonatologist to come up with a plan for Junebug. They were all amazed because this baby's heartbeat was perfect, its measurements were spot on, and it was changing positions despite the lack of space and fluid. Since the doctors couldn't see much on the ultrasounds without the fluid, they suggested that we get a fetal MRI to be able to determine what was going on in this little body. However, after the MRI, they still couldn't tell a whole lot. They were pessimistic about the chances of our baby being able to survive. It was clear that one kidney was not working and unsure if the other kidney was operating. Either way though, the lungs were not developing as needed and were considered hypoplastic.With these two items going against our baby, they told us the outlook was very grim. The doctors could not or would not advise us on what to do...it was all our decision. :( (BTW, neither my husband, nor I are doctors or medical professionals...so we were very stressed by the decision of our baby's life being in our hands.)
However, we weren't giving up on Junebug. We still had one thing we were going to do and that is find out from a hospital in Cincinnati if a prenatal bladder shunt would be possible. They are one of few hospitals in the country which perform this procedure. There is no guarantee they will be able to do it, and if they do, there is still a large chance it won’t change Junebug’s condition.
At the end of week 27, we went to Cincinatti. That day was packed with appointments and tests. We arrived at 9:30...they did an ultrasound (for 1 hour and a half), fetal MRI (for over an hour), fetal echocardiogram (for about 45 minutes), met with a genetics counselor. At 5:00, we had a huge team meeting with four doctors who are some of the finest in their specialities. The doctors went over the MRI images and ultrasound findings. Some of which we already knew...some was new information to add to our list.
We knew...- the umbilical cord is only a 2 vessel cord (instead of the normal 3 vessel cord)
- Junebug's lungs are severely hypoplastic (meaning they are severely underdeveloped and small).
- the left kidney is no longer functioning
- the right kidney is multicystic
- there is a bladder obstruction, resulting in severe oligohydroaminos (low to no amniotic fluid)
We didn't know...
- the urine is mixing with the meconium (bowel) and calcifying
- there might be an imperforate anus/anal atresia (an anus that does not open to the outside of the body)
- Junebug has a tethered spinal cord
- Junebug has a hemivertebrae (a wedge-shaped vertebrae that could result in scoliosis)
- Junebug's heart has a ventricular septal defect (a moderate hole in the wall that separates the right and left ventricles of the heart)
With all of that being said, Junebug has been diagnosed with VACTERL association. (You can read more about VACTERL here.) Unfortunately, there was nothing that can be done to help our Junebug. If JB would have only one or two of the defects/abnormalities, the doctors could probably tackle them through surgery or other medical solutions. But there was too much to try to deal with. The outlook for Junebug is very grim. Even after I deliver, Junebug won't live long because of the underdevelopment of the lungs.
On Wednesday, March 30, 2011, we went in to meet our little Junebug via C-section. (Rob and I decided to deliver then so that we would hopefully be able to see our baby alive...even if it is for a minute.) At 8:10 a.m., Oliver Matthew Junebug Foster was born. He weighed 2 lbs. 8 oz. and was 13.75 in. long. He was with us for an hour and 41 minutes before he went home to Heaven.
This has been the toughest time in our lives...but we know that this was God's plan. And even though it doesn't make sense to use why Oliver couldn't stay here with us, we trust that God's plan is always best. We miss him very much!! And love him even more!
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11
