Day Four

As Brian indicated, on Monday evening we saw our OB/GYN and what a HUGE difference. At the hospital, we were counseled to terminate the pregnancy because of the risks to the baby. They sent us home to give us time to "make the decision."

After lots of prayer, we had already determined not to terminate the pregnancy when we sat down with our doctor on Monday evening. To our relief it didn’t take any convincing. Her findings differ slightly from those of the doctors in the hospital, which is why she is more comfortable taking a wait-and-see approach.

Working together, we agreed on an expectant management plan outlining care and treatment for myself and the baby based on the associated risks.

Currently, the risks to me are low, but the risks to the baby are substantial. We understand that if the fluid stays low, the baby cannot grow properly, so even if I carry to a date of premature viability; it is unlikely the baby will survive or s/he will have significant challenges. On the flip side, the fluid could potentially increase raising the baby’s changes for survival.

The greatest risk to me is risk of infection now that there is an open pathway to my uterus. I must take my temp. 3 times daily, stay on strict bed rest and the doctors will monitor my blood work weekly for signs of infection that could put my health at risk.

The odds are clearly against us at this point, but so far we have been beating the odds all along. For those of you who do not know our story, Brian and I weren’t planning this baby. In fact years ago, I’d been told that severe scarring caused by a burst appendix would make it nearly impossible for me to ever conceive naturally – wrong.

The odds of this complication (PPROM) occurring are .4% - again we seem to be out of the norm.

It is most likely for mothers who experience PPROM to deliver within 24 hours from the water breaking…so we beat those odds too.

There is a 14% chance the bag will repair or lodge in such away to allow the fluid to increase and a 20% that our baby can survive outside the womb…it is our prayer that we fall into those unlikely categories as well.

Today, we see the high-risk OB/GYN for the first time at 1:30 as part of the management plan developed with my regular OB.

Thanks to everyone for their calls, prayers, and e-mails. Your love and support are making a difficult time more bearable.

To respect everyone’s time, I have created a blog where we will post regular updates. If you would prefer to continue receiving updates by e-mail, let me know and I will add you to an e-mail list. Otherwise, you can check the site at your leisure at http://faithrequired.blogspot.com/

Carie Anne