Round #2 at the Fetal Care Institute

My most recent round of appointments went very well.  We had a lot of positive results from the testing done. Though let’s keep in mind, as the doctors tell me, there are no guarantees with CDH. 

First of all we had yet another upper level ultrasound.  They then compiled this ultrasound information along with my last MRI information to come up with some numbers.  The baby’s right lung is the larger of the two.  The only organ really obstructing the development of the right lung is the heart.  Since the heart is pushed to the right side of the chest, it is getting in the way of the right lung.  Currently the right lung is working at approximately 70 – 80% of a normal lung.

Then there is the left lung.  The baby’s hernia is on the left side.  Therefore the stomach and intestines have migrated up on this side of his chest.  This lung is VERY SMALL.  It looks to be about 1/8 of a normal lung in my opinion.  On the ultrasound it just looks like a piece of lung versus an actual “lung”.

When you put the baby’s lungs together, they work at approximately 43%.  Of course you want your baby’s lungs to be at 100%.  However, for a CDH baby, 43% is on the better end of the spectrum.   This means at this time we are NOT looking at any fetal intervention surgeries.  This is a GOOD THING.  They only operate while the baby is in utero if they feel the baby’s chances of survival are on the lower end.

We also had an Echocardiogram done of the baby’s heart.  Since the heart is displaced, they need to make sure it is developing as normally as possible.  Obviously with the extra organs in the chest cavity, it can affect the development of the all the organs that are supposed to be up there.  Luckily in my case, the baby’s heart seems to be doing quite well!  Though out of place, it “seems” to be very close to a normal heart.  I say “seems” because there are parts of the heart that may be affected that we will not know about until after delivery.  However, overall the heart is in very good shape; which was wonderful to hear.

The doctors and staff at the FCI work wonderfully as a team.  They do an excellent job of coordinating my time there.  I feel that each member of the staff serves as a piece of the puzzle that makes up the Fetal Care Institute and allows it to run as smoothly as it does.  They realize that parents in situations like mine are dealing with a LOT and really try to do their part to make my time there comfortable and organized – which is much appreciated. 

Since my test results all where status quo, I go back in 4 weeks for another round of similar testing.  Let’s hope that those results are similar to todays!!!!!!!!!!