I am so excited that Duke University called me back today! We are going to participate in a study for anencephaly babies and neural tube defects. The University is sending St. Luke's kits to draw Andy and I's blood and take a 20cm sample of skin from the baby for DNA testing. We won't get our results back, however we will be part of a huge research study that will hopefully find out what causes anencephaly so we can prevent it in the future. I hope that no other family has to go through this and they find a way to prevent it. Here is a link to Duke's research for anencephaly.... http://www.chg.duke.edu/diseases/anencephaly.html
We are going to induce labor tomorrow. I will go in around 6 to 7am and they will give me prostaglandins every 6 hours until the baby is born. I am excited to meet my little girl and I really hope that I get to spend some time with her. I hope that she is alive for a few hours so she will get to meet her mommy and daddy. Please pray for us tomorrow as it will be a very difficult day.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Christmas 2010
Christmas 2010 046
Originally uploaded by ajgould
The weekend before my parents were out here and we celebrated our Christmas and it was a ton of fun too. It was good timing cuz the day they came in town was the day we found out our results on the ultrasound. It was great to have my family here during that time.
Jamison loved Christmas too and he got some pretty cool toys. Among his faves are going fishing in the wood boat for fish with a magnet pole, a tent with a tunnel, bear pet pillow, guitar, drum, tools and tool bench (although he still seems to like daddy's tools more). Jamison has really helped me a lot through this situation cuz all I have to do is look at him and he makes me smile. He has been learning some new sign language and new words recently. He knows the sign to more and can say it. He loves the word ball and can say baba, hot, cold, bath, and bye bye are among the words that he says. He also associates the words to their meaning. He is the best little boy and we are the luckiest parents in the world to have a son like him!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Doctor visit
After some really tough discussions with our doctor as well as Andy and I, we have decided to induce labor on Jan. 5th. We will go in around 6 am and I will have prostaglandins given to me to induce the labor. While I am excited to meet my little girl Isabelle..I am sad that she may not make it through birth or may only live a few hours or minutes. It breaks my heart to have all of these plans for another child and they shatter like a mirror. I know we will be able to have more kids someday but I really wanted this little girl. The doctor's said that our chances of having another anencephaly baby are 3-4% so at least that is a good number. However why did this happen to us? I wish I had an answer. The only answer I could get was maybe a blood clotting disorder or because we are of Northern European descent. When I asked Dr. Eastman how many babies he has seen with this he said probably 10 in his career of being a doctor for 15 years. It is not very common. My friend that is an OB nurse says that she only sees one anencephaly baby delivered a year at her hospital. Why did we have to be that one? Well for whatever reason we are.
We have been put on a prayer list at our church and have spoken with our pastor. He also feels that we are making the best choice for our family and has had another family had this same experience in the church. He is going to speak with them and see if they would want to talk to us about it.
All of our family and friends have been amazing in this devastating situation by sending flowers and cards. My family and Andy's family have been helping us with setting up a memorial for our daughter that will be held on January 10.
In my earlier paragraph I told you that her name will be Isabelle. We will call her Isabelle Grace. Isabelle means "oath to God". I have made an oath to God that if it is his will that he please only take one child away from me. I really don't know if I can handle another loss. In the Bible it tells us that God will only give you what you can handle...well this is it...I can't handle any more losses.
We have been put on a prayer list at our church and have spoken with our pastor. He also feels that we are making the best choice for our family and has had another family had this same experience in the church. He is going to speak with them and see if they would want to talk to us about it.
All of our family and friends have been amazing in this devastating situation by sending flowers and cards. My family and Andy's family have been helping us with setting up a memorial for our daughter that will be held on January 10.
In my earlier paragraph I told you that her name will be Isabelle. We will call her Isabelle Grace. Isabelle means "oath to God". I have made an oath to God that if it is his will that he please only take one child away from me. I really don't know if I can handle another loss. In the Bible it tells us that God will only give you what you can handle...well this is it...I can't handle any more losses.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Bad news from OB office!
Last Wednesday while I was at work I got a call from my OB office telling me that my AFP (alpha feta protein which checks for abnormalities and neural tube defects as well as down's syndrome among a few things) was positive for neural tube defects and Trisomy 18. I was shocked becuase I never thought anything like this would happen to me. I started crying and I told my manager that I needed to leave work for the day. When the doctor's office also called I moved my ultrasound up to the next day.
On Thursday I went in and before my ultrasound the doctor came into to talk to me about my positive results and he informed me that based on the test results we had a 1 in 3 chance of have a baby with a neural tube defect. That was super high so then I was even more worried. The ultrasound tech started to do my ultrasound and everything looked good except for the head. I noticed this right away. The ultrasound tech couldn't tell us anything but she said that she will go get the doctor. Dr. Eastman came back in and told us that our baby doesn't have a brain or a skull and he will contact the perinatologist Dr Barsoom to confirm this. I immediately started crying and I didn't know what to think. The nurse came in next and said that they could get me in at St. Luke's Hospital right away to do a Level II ultrasound, which is more defined, and do a teleconference with Dr. Barsoom. Before we left the doctor's office we met one more time with Dr. Eastman. He told us that this condition is not compatible with life and our option is to induce labor. He told us that the baby may be stillborn upon birth or may live a few minutes or hours. He told me that he would give us prostaglandins to induce birth and have the baby naturally. He was great at explaining everything and assured us that there was nothing we could do to prevent this since we were taking prenatal vitamins. It just happens.
Next we went over to the hospital and got admitted for our next ultrasound. The ultrasound tech took a few pictures and then got Dr. Barsoom on a big TV screen and she showed him a few pictures of the baby. He confirmed that the baby has anencephaly which means there is no skull or brain. He also gave us options just like Dr. Eastman did. He also told us that we would do some genetic testing and they would also test me for MTHFR which takes the folic acid away from the baby. He also said that we would have a 3% risk of having another baby like this, so that was a relief. We talked to him for a little while longer and answered our questions.
We left there thinking what do we do next? Of course we have a lot of decisions to make and our family and friends have been great during this very difficult time.
On Thursday I went in and before my ultrasound the doctor came into to talk to me about my positive results and he informed me that based on the test results we had a 1 in 3 chance of have a baby with a neural tube defect. That was super high so then I was even more worried. The ultrasound tech started to do my ultrasound and everything looked good except for the head. I noticed this right away. The ultrasound tech couldn't tell us anything but she said that she will go get the doctor. Dr. Eastman came back in and told us that our baby doesn't have a brain or a skull and he will contact the perinatologist Dr Barsoom to confirm this. I immediately started crying and I didn't know what to think. The nurse came in next and said that they could get me in at St. Luke's Hospital right away to do a Level II ultrasound, which is more defined, and do a teleconference with Dr. Barsoom. Before we left the doctor's office we met one more time with Dr. Eastman. He told us that this condition is not compatible with life and our option is to induce labor. He told us that the baby may be stillborn upon birth or may live a few minutes or hours. He told me that he would give us prostaglandins to induce birth and have the baby naturally. He was great at explaining everything and assured us that there was nothing we could do to prevent this since we were taking prenatal vitamins. It just happens.
Next we went over to the hospital and got admitted for our next ultrasound. The ultrasound tech took a few pictures and then got Dr. Barsoom on a big TV screen and she showed him a few pictures of the baby. He confirmed that the baby has anencephaly which means there is no skull or brain. He also gave us options just like Dr. Eastman did. He also told us that we would do some genetic testing and they would also test me for MTHFR which takes the folic acid away from the baby. He also said that we would have a 3% risk of having another baby like this, so that was a relief. We talked to him for a little while longer and answered our questions.
We left there thinking what do we do next? Of course we have a lot of decisions to make and our family and friends have been great during this very difficult time.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving!
We had a great Thanksgiving at Aunt Rhonda and Uncle Dan's in Des Moines. First we got a big ol passenger van and the whole fam came along. When we got to Des Moines we saw the rest of the fam at Rhonda and Dan's loft. The food was amazing and it was great to see everyone. Jamison also got a chance to play with Gabe who is only a couple months older than him.
In other news, we had a doctor's appt for Baby G the II in beginning of Nov. They couldn't hear the heartbeat so we got to do an ultrasound. At that time I was 11 weeks and that is very common for them to not be able to hear the heartbeat with doppler. The ultrasound was great and I got to see the heartbeat! The baby's heartbeat was 167 so it could be a girl! I have my next checkup this week but there shouldn't be an ultrasound with this appt. I am hoping to get my next ultrasound before Christmas so we can find out the sex of the baby. I am at 14 weeks right now and counting!
Jamison has been doing great lately. He has been sleeping through the night since he was 9 months which we absolutely love! He is getting into everything and climbing on anything he can get his hands on. He is also starting to run away from us sometimes when he knows he has something that he shouldn't. = ) He will eat anything and is not picky. His fave foods are shells-n-cheese, bananas, pancakes, vegetables, apples, plums, kiwis to name a few. He had his 15 month doctor appt last week and he is still only 19 lbs. The doctor said that she isn't worried because he looks healthy, but he is still not on the growth chart for weight. For height and head circumference he is in the 25th percentile. He also had his last 2 immunizations! Yeah no more shots until he is 4!
Andy and I have been busy getting ready for Christmas. We have almost half of our Christmas presents bought and our cards will be coming in the mail anyday so we can get them out to friends and family. We are planning a trip to Ohio to go to see my family for Christmas. We hope the weather is ok! (Fingers crossed) Well I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Here are some pics from ours!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thegouldfam/sets/72157625360341797/show/
In other news, we had a doctor's appt for Baby G the II in beginning of Nov. They couldn't hear the heartbeat so we got to do an ultrasound. At that time I was 11 weeks and that is very common for them to not be able to hear the heartbeat with doppler. The ultrasound was great and I got to see the heartbeat! The baby's heartbeat was 167 so it could be a girl! I have my next checkup this week but there shouldn't be an ultrasound with this appt. I am hoping to get my next ultrasound before Christmas so we can find out the sex of the baby. I am at 14 weeks right now and counting!
Jamison has been doing great lately. He has been sleeping through the night since he was 9 months which we absolutely love! He is getting into everything and climbing on anything he can get his hands on. He is also starting to run away from us sometimes when he knows he has something that he shouldn't. = ) He will eat anything and is not picky. His fave foods are shells-n-cheese, bananas, pancakes, vegetables, apples, plums, kiwis to name a few. He had his 15 month doctor appt last week and he is still only 19 lbs. The doctor said that she isn't worried because he looks healthy, but he is still not on the growth chart for weight. For height and head circumference he is in the 25th percentile. He also had his last 2 immunizations! Yeah no more shots until he is 4!
Andy and I have been busy getting ready for Christmas. We have almost half of our Christmas presents bought and our cards will be coming in the mail anyday so we can get them out to friends and family. We are planning a trip to Ohio to go to see my family for Christmas. We hope the weather is ok! (Fingers crossed) Well I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Here are some pics from ours!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thegouldfam/sets/72157625360341797/show/
Monday, October 18, 2010
Fun in Minneapolis
This last weekend we went to Minneapolis to visit Dana, Aaron, and Kaden. We also went to go get the next baby's crib, changing table, diaper champ, potty chair among a few other things. We had a great time! We went to an apple orchard and the kids absolutely loved it. They had farm animals, rubber duck races, wagon rides, and a kids play area. We went and picked a few apples and bought a whole bag of apples with caramel. MMM! Jamison had his first apple and we couldn't get it away from him.
In other news I had my first ultrasound and found out that I am due May 25th! That will be perfect; then I can have the whole summer off to recover. We also heard the baby's heartbeat and it was 142! We are so excited for the next baby and I think Jamison sort of understands cuz he likes to look at my belly. I am starting to show a little bit. Also I have been feeling tired but not half as tired as I was with Jamison. I have been feeling a little more nausea than last time.
If you want to see more pics go to our flicker website. http://www.flickr.com/photos/thegouldfam/
In other news I had my first ultrasound and found out that I am due May 25th! That will be perfect; then I can have the whole summer off to recover. We also heard the baby's heartbeat and it was 142! We are so excited for the next baby and I think Jamison sort of understands cuz he likes to look at my belly. I am starting to show a little bit. Also I have been feeling tired but not half as tired as I was with Jamison. I have been feeling a little more nausea than last time.
If you want to see more pics go to our flicker website. http://www.flickr.com/photos/thegouldfam/
Sunday, September 12, 2010
We are having another baby!
We just found out that we are pregnant again and we are super excited for baby G # 2. I know my due date will be in May sometime however I am not sure when. I have my first appt with the nurse on Sept 21 at 9am. Then probably an ultrasound around 8-10 weeks. (Hopefully I can get it sooner!) We have told a few people but decided to go public kind of early. (Fingers crossed) We can't wait for the new addition and for Jamison to have another brother or sister. Also starting this week I will be working 4 8 hour days a weeks versus 5 days to help with the needs of our family. It is great that I have an employer that is willing to work with me!
In other news Jamison has been doing great and is playing with everything and getting into everything. He is pretty excited for the new addition but really won't know what it means until the baby is here. He weighed 16lbs 8 oz for his one year visit and he is lower than the growth chart for weight. If he keeps going on this trend we will be referred to an endocrinologist just to make sure that nothing is wrong. The doctor doesn't think that it is anything, but she would rather be safe than sorry. I feel the same way. He is very active and eats all the time. He will eat anything that is put in front of him. It is so nice to not have a picky eater. We are so fortunate. Well I hope everyone has a great week and will keep you posted with updates!
In other news Jamison has been doing great and is playing with everything and getting into everything. He is pretty excited for the new addition but really won't know what it means until the baby is here. He weighed 16lbs 8 oz for his one year visit and he is lower than the growth chart for weight. If he keeps going on this trend we will be referred to an endocrinologist just to make sure that nothing is wrong. The doctor doesn't think that it is anything, but she would rather be safe than sorry. I feel the same way. He is very active and eats all the time. He will eat anything that is put in front of him. It is so nice to not have a picky eater. We are so fortunate. Well I hope everyone has a great week and will keep you posted with updates!
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