22 Weeks

22 weeks and 3 days to be exact.  On September 8th, we went to Wichita to meet with our maternal fetal medicine specialist for another ultrasound to check up on the babies and hopefully find out whether baby A was a boy or a girl.  Unfortunately, what we thought would be a happy and exciting appointment turned into a sad and worrisome appointment.  The doctor pointed out baby A was head down and that is when I saw the little heart - and it was not beating.  My heart started racing trying not to believe what I was seeing.  The doctor quickly went to baby B and she was moving around with a strong heartbeat of 151.  He then went back to baby A and said 'Tavish, I'm so sorry but I don't see any signs of life with baby A."

The rest of the appointment focused on making sure baby B was ok.  She is still a she :) and is showing no signs of distress.  The babies were not sharing a placenta or a sac which is the best case scenario in this situation. 

The doctor has no explanation as to why baby A passed away.  All our previous ultrasounds showed no problems with either baby and they were growing at the rate they should.

I will continue to be monitored closely by both the specialist and OB doctor.  Baby A will stay with his/her sister until delivery.  Due to this, there are risks that I could develop clotting problems and infection.  This can also lead to preterm labor.  And of course since baby A passed away without warning, baby B could do the same.

Its hard not to focus on all the things that could go wrong, but we still have alot to be thankful for and I need to stay strong for baby B. She is a pretty active baby most of the time so that is reassuring. She is also a very flexible little thing.  In most of the pictures we have of her from that day, she has both feet at her head.  She used her to to scratch her eye at one point.

Some good friends sent Mitch and me a plant and flowers and in the card was written - "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord "Plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11.  I've been reading this daily and trying to remind myself that it is all in God's plan and that everything happens for a reason. 

Thank you to those who have given me a shoulder to cry on, shared their experiences with the loss of a baby, and of course all the thoughts and prayers that have been sent our way.  Please continue to pray for baby B!