Prayer Request - Aggie Mama's Unborn Baby

2/03/03 | Aggie Mama

[Aggie Mama]

As some of you know, I'm due with #3 in June.

My son picked up Fifth's Disease (a virus) from school over Christmas. Although it causes a rash and tummy upset for older children, for pregnant women it can be dangerous to the unborn baby.

Well, I managed to contract the virus and I have to go for weekly ultrasounds to make sure the baby doesn't become anemic.

At last Friday's ultrasound all of the physical body properties look good; however, the doctor said that the baby definitely shows signs that he has had the virus.

There was no swelling around the heart and the heart itself looked fine, but when he measured the bloodflow in the brain, it was elevated. Apparently, that is a sign that something is going on with the bone marrow, which is what the parvovirus affects. I asked him if this could cause brain damage to the baby, and he said absolutely not. What happens is, if the anemia is left untreated it causes the baby to go into heart/kidney failure. So, it was a positive sign that the baby's heart & kidneys looked good, but that we have to be very cautious b/c the baby is showing signs of having the virus attack his bone marrow.

He told us that his gut feeling was that the baby was coming off the infection and that we had seen the worst of it, but so much depends upon when exactly I was infected with the virus. I go back to see him next Wednesday, and that will give us a better picture if the baby is getting over the infection or heading into the worst of it.

If the baby begins heart failure, then we do a blood transfusion. The specialist said he did one just yesterday, so I guess it's a bit more common than what I thought. He didn't think that this was headed in that direction, but he's concerned enough to have me come back next week for another ultrasound.

Please keep the baby in your prayers. I go through periods where I am really at peace and okay, and then I get kind of panicky -- there's nothing I can do except pray.

Aggie Mama

[xzins]

prayer ping

Lord God, we pray that You overpower this mother with your peace that passes our understanding. We pray that You bring the child into this world in full health. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen

Rn....do you have a medical take on this for the mom?

[CindyDawg]

Praying for you and your little boy.

[InvisibleChurch]

a prayer and a bump

[Alamo-Girl]

I join with you in praying for the baby and his mom and dad!

[CARepubGal]

You and your family are in my prayers!

[Dr. Eckleburg]

God is guiding every beat of your baby's heart...and yours.

Prayers for good news and a good night's sleep.

[Salvation]

Prayers for you and the baby.

[Salvation]

Prayer Ping!

Please notify me via Freepmail if you would like to be added to or removed from the Prayer Ping list.

[tiki]

Prayers on the way.

[maestro]

UR#21).......Amen,.........More Grace and Mercy,........In Jesus' Precious Name, Amen!

[Aggie Mama]

I can't thank everyone enough for the wonderful prayers. It was such a blessing to wake up this morning and know so many are praying for the baby. For those of you that freepmailed me wanting to know more about this , here is a good link describing the virus and what it can do.

Typically, 50% of women that are exposed are immune to it, and of those that actually contract the virus, only a small % have the virus go to the baby. I happen to be in that small percentage. I go tomorrow for another ultrasound. The baby is kicking quite a bit now, which I guess is a good sign. If there were signs of fetal distress, the baby wouldn't be moving very much.

BTW, I'm 21 weeks. My regular doctor and the specialist both said that I would have to monitor this until my due date.

I wish I could thank each one of you in person for your prayers. It means the world to me. I will update here tomorrow afternoon.

http://www.atlanta-mfm.com/clindisc/vol3no5.html

[Aggie Mama]

Thank you again for all your prayers. I actually slept well last night. =) I feel your prayers.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Praying.

[4CJ]

Still praying for you.

[Aggie Mama]

I have good news. The specialist said that it looks like the baby is fighting off the infection. He said that the blood flow in the brain was down. This indicates that his body is producing more red blood cells, so less blood flow is needed to make up for the reduced number of blood cells that the virus destroys. His numbers dropped from 32 to a 22 which is a pretty significant decrease. The doctor said his little body is doing exactly what it is designed to do. It's pretty astounding to me that at 21 weeks, his body "knows" what to do.

He wants to see me again next week for another follow-up, but he was very pleased with the progress that the baby is making. So it looks as though the baby has made it through the worst of the virus without developing hydrops. That was the big worry and that is what could have precipitated the blood transfusion.

Things are looking much better. I can never thank all of you enough for your prayers. Last night I got to the point where I couldn't pray and it was so comforting to know that there were others praying for me and for the baby.

Aggie Mama

[EternalVigilance]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

[billbears]

AMEN!!!

[RnMomof7]

God is good......keep us informed

[CindyDawg]

:')

[katnip]

Prayers for you and your baby.