How I Became A Special Needs Mom
The ultrasound from hell
Our story into the world of special needs by the route of fetal hydrops began on January 21st, 2022. We had a routine ultrasound appointment. I was 26 weeks gestation with our third child, Corbin Jacob. I remember watching the ultrasound and talking to my husband about work and not paying too much attention to the screen after we saw the heartbeat. Shortly after the ultrasound, my husband left for go work while I waited for the doctor. Then the doctor walked into the room and I knew. I knew something was terribly wrong. The doctor looked at me and said “Oh Jen, this baby, it’s not good”.
Week 26: The diagnosis
“There are no adequate words, so I’m just going to say it. We need every person with breath in their lungs to be praying for Corbin.
Corbin means “devoted to God as a gift” but I’m not ready to give him back to God yet. Yesterday at our 26 week appointment we were told that he is measuring 3 weeks behind and has fluid around his abdomen and brain. We are being told he has hydrops.
We will see specialists on Tuesday for more ultrasounds and tests to see if we can find a cause. If we can find a cause, maybe we can treat and remove the fluid and keep his heart beating.
We have been told to prepare for him to go to heaven before he can be delivered. But the doctors don’t know everything. But my God does. And God may choose to take Corbin, but I’m going to make sure that all of heaven hears millions of prayers before that happens. So please. I cannot beg you enough.
Pray for Corbin. Pray that the fluid disappears. Pray that he grows. Pray that his heart doesn’t stop beating. Pray for full and total healing. Pray that we get to witness a miracle. And if not, pray that we can still remember that God is good.”
What is Fetal Hydrops?
The fluid may accumulate:
- in the abdominal cavity (ascites)
- around the lungs (pleural effusion)
- around the heart (pericardial effusion)
- in the skin or scalp (edema)
Prognosis for Fetal Hydrops
The prognosis for each baby depends on the underlying cause of the hydrops, gestational age and whether treatment is possible.
An estimated 50% of babies with hydrops don’t survive until birth.
In general, the earlier in the pregnancy the condition occurs, the greater the risk to the fetus. Since ours occurred at 26 weeks, our doctor said he would not survive.
What caused my son’s fetal hydrops?
At the time of our appointment, we didn’t know. The doctor conducted several blood tests and told us it would be several days until got results. In the meantime, she called her friends who worked in Maternal Fetal Medicine in St. Louis, MO to determine the next steps. To read what happened next, read here.
