02/04/2021: 20w4d Twins Update | Dopplers improved, no surgery today

Life until March 13, 2021 (26 weeks) is now lived scan to scan.

Today, the scans showed babies with beating hearts and lots of movement. Their fluids remain similar and their MCA Dopplers improved. Joshua’s (Baby A) reduced to around 1.5x AVG and Daniel’s (Baby B) has returned to normal. Our MFM perinatology and fetal surgeon team has admitted that they are somewhat baffled at the array of symptoms the Switzer twins are displaying which do not identify with any known constellation of symptoms indicative of a specific complication. Time and development will further refine our diagnosis. Our babies are not safe until they are delivered – they begin to become viable at 26 weeks on March 13th. Dr. Walker has adjusted my target delivery date to no later than 32 weeks on April 24 if we are fortunate enough to make it that far.

While our babies have some characteristics of TAPs, they definitely have sIUGR with artery to artery anastomosis. Friday 2/15 we’ll see a pediatric cardiologist to find out if Joshua has a problem with his heart that will require surgery at birth, or perhaps he’s just behind in growth. It’s clear that these symptoms and stats can change in 24-48 hours, but aren’t likely (no guarantees, of course) to change dramatically in under a week until I’m farther along. So, we continue expectant management on a weekly frequency unless something dictates a change to more frequent 2-3 times per week monitoring (which has happened 3 out of the last 6 weeks). At 24 weeks gestation (by the week of Feb 22, 2021) or sooner I’m to be admitted to hospitalized bed rest to have daily monitoring and daily access to emergency surgery. Until then, all I can do is maintain side-lying horizontal rest to increase bloodflow to the uterus and placenta and 175g protein/2500 healthy calories per day to boost nutrition, all in an effort to get more nutrition to Joshua.

The next growth scan is currently scheduled for Tuesday Feb 9, 2021. So, we hope, we pray, and we wait.

Thank you for your prayers, sending light and love, for injecting positivity and healing into the metaphysical connected consciousness for us. This means more to us thank you can possibly know.

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