The journey to save baby Sammie in utero, Part 1

2nd May 2013, Thursday

We went to see Dr Angie in the morning and she explained a bit more about the baby's condition. She asked us if we googled it and we told her that we didn't. I was too scared to find out more, it would just create lots of fear. I think we did the right thing. She told us that there are more than 100 causes for a hydropic baby. It could be down sydrome, infection, genetic disorder, anemic. She referred us to the former head of the Fetal Management Unit at the Royal Women's hospital for a detailed scan and consultation. She said he's very good and would be the best person for a second opinion.

In wikipedia: 

Hydrops fetalis is a condition in the fetus characterized by an accumulation of fluid, or edema, in at least two fetal compartments.^[1] By comparison, hydrops allantois or hydrops amnion are an accumulation of excessive fluid in the allantoic or amniotic space respectively.^[2]

We went to WUME Tooranga and Dr Ricardo Palma-Dias was kind enough to see us as the last patient as it was urgent. When he had a look at baby, he suspected that the baby has hydrothorax and not full hydrops as the odema was only around the upper part of the body. He said that the baby was very sick but not as bad as what Dr Angie has informed him about. He was supposed to do an amniocentesis on me to extract the fluid for testing and possibly reduce the fluid around baby, however, I just had too much fluid, double the amount a normal pregnant women should have. It's no wonder I felt so uncomfortable and all along I was thinking I should count my blessing during this pregnancy for this baby and not complain about discomfort. I now know that when you have doubts, I should react/respond or ask someone immediately. But thank god for my mother's instinct to realise something was not right about the tightness of my belly and mention during my doctor's visit. Dr Palma-Dias postponed the procedure to the next day so that I could be admitted to the hospital as a patient and would extract 1.5litres of fluid. The risk of this procedure was that I could go into labour and deliver my baby that day. Hubby and I discussed and we decided that we are going to take that risk to give Sammie the best chance.

In wikipedia: 

A hydrothorax is a condition that results from serous fluid accumulating in the pleural cavity. This specific condition can be related to cirrhosis with ascites in which ascitic fluid leaks into the pleural cavity. Hepatic hydrothorax is often difficult to manage in end-stage liver failure and often fails to respond to therapy.

In similar pleural effusions, hemothorax this fluid is blood (as in major chest injuries), in pyothorax the fluid is pus (resulting from chest infections), and inchylothorax it is lymph fluid (resulting from rupture of the thoracic duct).

After the scan, we went back to the room to get myself changed, and at that moment, my hubby, my very strong hubby, broke down into tears. I consoled him, I wasn't crying but seeing him cry, makes me so teary too. He said baby's sick and it hurts. I guess every parent wouldn't want their child to be unwell  or in pain.

We packed my hospital bag and baby's hospital bag that night in just an hour. Thank god for babycenter forum, I had a rough idea on what is needed for hospital stay.

3rd May 2013, Friday

We knew that we have to start preparing for baby Sammie to come into the world, prepare for the worst case scenario. So we went out shopping for premmie baby clothing, diapers, hospital pyjamas, maternity pants and got ourselves prepared to be admitted.

I was admitted to Frances Perry House and had a CTG scan done before the procedure. I was nervous about the procedure, who wouldn't be. Anything could happen. However, I know there is no point being anxious about it, it was not going to make things better. I calmed my nerves by seeking comfort from Daily Guidance from your Angel book by Doreen Virtue and the page that I randomly turned to said that I should trade worry for faith.

The thought for that day was:

I give my worries to God and the angels. My loved ones and I are completely safe. All my needs are provided for today and in the future and I am filled with Faith.

The procedure was at 5.30pm, after hours at WUME Frances Perry. Dr Ricardo is an angel to me. I will be thankful to him forever. Hubby and I feel so grateful towards him. He was so switched on about helping us. He explained all the risks and worse case scenarios to us about the procedure and also recommended that we should do a drainage from baby's chest as well. That procedure was more risky than the amniocentesis. At that point in time, somehow I was certain that I would go ahead, for it would give Sammie some relief. The fluid would be tested for down syndrome which was an important test for decision making.

I had to be wide awake for this procedure. Hubby held my hand throughout and comforted me and gave me words of encourgement, he's simply amazing. Dr Ricardo gave me some pain relief on the spots he was going to extract the fluid. Dr Ricardo inserted a needle to baby's left chest and successfully drained the fluid. I think there were about 50mls, which is a lot for a baby. He then drained my amnio fluid as the baby's position was not right for the right chest. However, he managed to find an entry to Sammie's right chest after a while. The whole procedure took an hour and it was a success. I felt relieved, and so calm and relaxed that I think I could fall asleep. 

I gathered all my strength and remained calm throughout the procedure. I closed my eyes throughout and visualised a white light protecting me and I keep reaffirming that I can give my fears and worries to God and the angels. The nurse told us that we were doing so well in being so calm and relaxed throughout the whole procedure. She was impressed! and me? I was surprised that I did it, i realised that you can choose your experience, you can choose how you want to be in every situation, no matter how scary it can be.

The midwives came with a bed and transported me back to my room. It was the first time for me to be lying on a hospital bed and being driven around. I thought of Grey's Anatomy episodes and Offsprings while lying there.

Dinner was on my table in the room but I had to fast just in case they would have to perform an emergency C-section that night. It was yummy carbonara and I was so hungry! They put me on the CTG scan again and i felt mild period cramps from the procedure, which was normal and expected. I prayed that my waters wouldn't break and baby's happy. However, i noticed that there were 3-4 midwives in my room. I was thinking, how good is the service here! My midwife looked concerned and kept going in and out of the room. Hubby and I were clueless on what's happened, we were still absorbing the emotions and the reality of the procedure. Then, the midwife from the birthing suite came and told me that baby will have to be out that night. I was like...WHAT! They said that baby doesn't seem too happy in my belly as her heart variation didn't meet the standard guidelines, it was flat for a long time. 

That moment, I was so scared, I was shaking and I couldn't control my shakes. I thought I did well in the procedure and why do I have to go through this before finding out what's wrong with baby. They changed me, put me on a drip and shaved me down there. However, after being on a drip and when i was being shaved, the heart variation improved. Baby Sammie was finally responding!!! YAY! and Thank God. Dr Renee Wong who was on duty that night nearly wanted to perform the surgery on me. Thank goodness she called Dr Angie who rushed back to the hospital to stop everything. When she came in, I could tell she was panting and rushing. It was that close. I am lucky that I have such a committed, hands on and caring obstetrician.

I was then sent to the birthing suite for the night for close monitoring as they can provide more care with one midwife to 2 patients. That night, I played the prenatal music that Shireen gave me the whole night, hoping baby Sammie can hear it and have some comfort.

Hubby stayed with me the whole night and I was on the drip and didn't have any food. I slept as my belly wasn't as tight and the pressure was relieved. I haven't had continuous sleep for a week and it was good to sleep.

To be continued...