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October 27, 2017 - Neural Tube Defects - Spina Bifida, Anencephaly, etc.

Here we go again...

This Friday was one of the craziest days I’ve ever had. I finished work at Noon, picked up and burger from Wendy’s and made my way over to the DMV. These feet have been acting up so much I was able to get a handicap parking placard and while I was there I was able to get my stickers for my plates. Good, one thing checked off the list. I then was on my way to the Blood Lab to take the Glucose test. Luckily at this place you don’t need an appointment, you just go in and sign the sheet. They call you in order of arrival. I didn’t have to wait long as no one else was even there.  I drank that lovely sugar drink (fruit punch flavor) and waited for my hour to be up.

While I’m waiting my OB called – the one I’m not too fond of. The conversation went something like this…

OB: Hi, I wanted to discuss the test results for your Alpha-Fetoprotein.

Me: Okay.

OB: They came back elevated. This is a sign that there could potentially be something wrong with one or both of the babies.

Me: Something wrong such as what?

OB: Well your levels are elevated so this is a sign of a neural tube defect.

Me: Does this mean there’s something definitely wrong or…

OB: No, the test you took is not diagnostic, it is a screening meaning we just need to run some more test and see if the babies do have an issue, then we can discuss how to move forward.

Me: What other testing do we do?

OB: You’ll need to set up an Anatomy Scan Ultrasound with Maternal Fetal Medicine. They’ll be able to tell if something is abnormal with the twins.

Me: Can we do all this at my appointment next week? I already have an ultrasound scheduled with them.

OB: Sure, absolutely. I’ll send them the paper work today and they’ll add this to your already scheduled appointment. One baby usually takes 30 minutes to scan so I would expect the ultrasound to take about an hour.

Me: Okay. Hey, when you said my levels were elevated what were my results and what’s the number you test against?

OB: There’s a couple of things. Anything below .7 is considered low and that could show signs of Down’s syndrome. Anything in the 1 range is normal. And anything above 2.5 is considered high and could show signs of Spina Bifida or Anencephaly and other neural tube defects. Your numbers were 4.55.

Me: So that’s really high.

OB: Yes.

Me: Does carrying twins make it high?

OB: We tested your results against the multiples numbers and they are still high. Go to your appointment next week, and we’ll get some more answers from there. After they send the results to our office we can discuss further.

Me: Okay, thanks. (hangs up call)

My heart is simply crushed. I knew my life was never going to be “easy” but things just keep happening and my heart hurts more and more each time. So… something could be wrong. Both my littles could have defects so bad they never learn to walk…or they die days, hours, minutes after being born…

I think I’m more upset at the fact that I had this test done. Eric and I decided a long time ago not to get genetic testing done. If something was going to be wrong we would let God settle the matter and we would deal with it when the time came. Now I have to wait until Tuesday to get the definite answer. I’m going to be worried about it all weekend. I wish I didn’t know these test results. I wish I never had the levels checked. I’m worried out of my mind.

This doesn’t change my mind about the pregnancy in any way however. I read on Dr. Google that parents are given the choice to end the pregnancy if something turns out wrong. Eric and I would never do that. We love our kiddos such much, we’ve wanted them so bad for so long, and we will deal with whatever comes our way. But that doesn’t mean I don’t worry. Of course I hope and pray when we see the littles on the screen that the doctor won’t be able to find anything wrong; however, 4.55 is a really high number…

Oh and by the way, I failed that Glucose Test - 3hr test here we come!

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