At the beginning of March we went in for our 26 week ultrasound and received some disheartening news. JJ's measurements were 2 - 3 weeks behind schedule (we were calling him Jake Jr., or JJ at the time-just for fun). With our history, the doctor chose to schedule weekly ultrasounds to keep a close eye on the situation. At 27 weeks they took a quick peak and determined the amniotic fluid was on the low side of the normal range. They did a quick BPP (biophysical profile-an ultrasound test of the baby's overall well-being), and JJ got 8/8. Again, due to our history, the doctor chose to give her steroid shots to help JJ's lungs develop just in case she had to deliver early. At 28 1/2 weeks the amniotic fluid measured low, the rate of blood flow from the placenta measured low, and his growth had slowed even more. It was decided right then that Christi needed to be checked into the hospital, and we were informed that we would likely be delivering within the next few days. The game plan was to monitor the baby constantly and administer ultrasounds daily. As soon as anything looked even remotely suspicious, we were going to deliver.
A funny side note, after the growth restriction was discovered we were told that we could be delivering after any one of Christi's doctor appointments. We knew it was going to be a very sudden process with little warning. Christi finally decided to warn her employer that this was the case before her ultrasound on April 5th, thinking it would be at least a couple of weeks before this happened. She told her employer at around 9am that we were going to deliver sooner than expected, and then called back at noon to tell them she wouldn't be back in! At least she gave them a heads up!
On Monday, April 5th, We checked into Labor and Delivery. We were astonished to realize we were given the same room Kaitlyn was born in just over a year ago, room 119. The gravity of the situation sunk in right then, but we quickly realized this was the best place to be. It was a sign that Kaitlyn was watching over her little brother. I can't even begin to tell you how much soul searching we've done, and how much our lives have changed within the walls of room 119.
From then on, Christi got a series of "last meals". Each evening she would order dinner and then have to fast, just in case she had to deliver the next day. On Tuesday morning, the ultrasound revealed that the amniotic fluid had increased, and JJ looked good on his BPP. We received the all clear; the stress and nervousness were gone for the day, and Christi was able to eat again. After her Tuesday evening last meal, she was told to fast again. On Wednesday we received another favorable ultrasound, and the stress was once again gone.
Thursday morning was a different story..
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