37 weeks ~ Declan's Heart

We were officially 37 weeks this past Tuesday!  37 1/2 weeks... 

Here's a picture of me at 37 weeks...
(and a sneak peak of the baby's nursery).  

I promise that I will get a better pic for next week that you can see my tummy better, I had Scott take this on his way out to work one day :/

Wow, the past couple months have flown by, we have had so much to do to get ready for Declan to arrive and I still feel completely unprepared.  I think mostly because of the news that we received around New Years about our sweet baby boy... 

To give some of you an update who are not aware and for those of you who are, 

Declan was diagnosed with a heart defect on February 13th, 2012.  

Back at the end of December, about New Years weekend, I went in for an ultrasound to check on what they thought might be placenta previa.  I was happy to find out that the placenta had moved and we did not have that complication.  I went to the appointment alone so that Scott could stay home with Paige and because we didn't think that there would be any additional problems where we had had a normal pregnancy so far, only to discover that there WAS an additional problem that was completely unexpected.  They found that Declan's right atrium was enlarged. At the time they were not quite sure what was wrong and what that might mean.  I was told at that time that they were concerned that the baby might go into cardiac failure.  Unfortunately our regular ultrasound Doctor was not in that day so they told us that we would have to go in for additional testing the following Monday, January 2nd.  I was told to watch the baby carefully over the weekend until we could get this additional testing done.  I called Scott from the Dr's office with the news that we might possibly lose the baby and that he had a heart problem, it was a pretty difficult conversation.  I told him to call my Mom and Dad because I knew that there was no way I was in any shape to be calling and telling anyone this kind of news.  The drive home from the Dr's office was a long and emotional one for me.  I had so many emotions and most of all was just completely devastated and unsure of how I should be feeling.  We wanted this baby so badly and I just ached with pain.  Once I arrived home, Scott was at the door waiting with a much needed embrace!  (THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND LOVE SWEETHEART!!!!)  Paige immediately wanted to know what was wrong, and could tell that we were talking about the baby.  So, she proceeded to try and take care of him and me.  Bringing us (the baby and I) food and toys and hugging and kissing him.  What a moment!  The love that I had for my family was just completely overwhelming and could not contain myself.  At that moment I felt so many things... how incredibly sad I was and also how incredibly blessed and thankful I was for my little family!

The next few days were very difficult ones.  When we went in for an additional ultrasound with our regular Doctor she said that she wanted us to go over and visit with a Pediatric Cardiologist for an ECHO.  She called him and we were able to get in right away.  So over the the Pediatric Cardiologist we went.  After testing he stated that he could not find anything else wrong other than the enlarged right atrium, which could be a variation of normal.  He did tell us that Declan was still too little to see some of the things that might still be of concern and told us to come back in for another ECHO in 5 weeks when he had grown a bit.  He reassured us that whatever, if anything, was wrong with the baby that his life was not in danger at that point and couldn't see any reason to believe that we would not make it to full term.  That was comforting and we left with a bit of relief knowing that there might be nothing wrong.  But waiting those 5 weeks was very difficult.  I just wanted some answers.  

On the day of the ECHO, February 13th, we went into the Dr's office with mixed emotions.  Scott felt pretty confident and positive, while I on the other hand was a little apprehensive and worried.  I didn't want to get my hopes up too high in case there was something wrong... I know I should be better, but those of you that know me very well know that I am a WORRIER.

After the ECHO was complete Dr. Womack, the Pediatric Cardiologist, gave us the results.  He stated that he had hoped to find nothing wrong, but that was not the case.  He told us that Declan had something called Interrupted Inferior Vena Cava with Azygos Continuation.  Which basically means that his Inferior Vena Cava never developed properly and that his body compensated by pumping the blood up to the heart a different way, through the Azygos Vein.  He said that that specific diagnoses did not mean he could not lead a normal life, it just meant that his anatomy was a bit different than most people's.  He did tell us that unfortunately there are other conditions that are associated with this specific diagnosis... He could possibly have a degree of Heterotaxy or Malrotation of the intestines.  Which could cause need for surgery when he was born.  He did also find some signs of a possible hole between the ventricles and an aortic valve issue.  Which we will not be able to see more clearly until he his born, which might also cause some need for additional surgery.  After receiving the news, there was some relief to find out what was wrong and that we could have a plan of some sort.

The plan at this point is to have weekly ultrasounds.  And to be induced for labor on April 10th, 2012 at 39 weeks.  Just a precaution, so that the Pediatric Cardiologist, our OB, and the NICU staff can be there for the delivery.  Upon delivery the NICU staff will be waiting to take Scott and Declan immediately up to the NICU for an Abdominal Ultrasound and another ECHO of his heart.  At that point we will know what to expect with possible surgery and hospital stay.  My parents are going to be here sometime next week so that they can be here for the delivery and help with Paige and Declan.  How thankful I am to have such wonderful parents!  I am so grateful that my mom will be there to be my support while I am recovering and Scott is up with the baby for testing.

Here is a picture of the ultrasound that we had done the day that we were given Declan's diagnosis.  February 13th, 2012.

Cute little profile shot :)

Here's a picture of our most resent ultrasound from this week... 

March 27th, 2012.

So neat!  The tech got a really good picture of his nose and lips and his right hand.  

The past few months have been very emotional and difficult ones I'm not going to lie, but they have also been SO WONDERFUL!!!!  I have had so many moments to reflect on my beliefs and also my MANY MANY blessings!  How very grateful I am for the gospel in my life and for the The Plan of Salvation and for the knowledge that whatever happens in this life we will be a Family FOREVER.  I find so much comfort in that.  I am so very thankful for our Heavenly Father's Love and for that constant connection that we have with him through prayer.  I know that there have been so many of you who have fasted and prayed on our behalf and WE THANK YOU!  We have felt your prayers and love, I know because otherwise this would be so much more difficult.  I AM SO THANKFUL FOR FRIENDS and FAMILY!!!!!  For wonderful brothers and sisters and parents, both mine and Scott's.  We are so blessed to have such amazing families that love us!  THANK YOU for all your support, it means so much to us.  

And finally, I am completely overwhelmed with love and thankfulness that I have for an amazing, wonderful, loving spouse...  

SCOTT, I LOVE YOU!!!  I don't know how I could do this without you and I am so thankful that I have you to take with me through eternity and to raise our family with, I can't imagine doing it with anyone else!  Thank you!  

And I can't forget my sweet, loving little princess...  

PAIGE, I LOVE YOU!  You make life worth living and I could never begin to tell you the love that I have for you, you are amazing :)  You make everyday better with your sweet spirit!  

And...

DECLAN, I LOVE YOU!  Who ever thought that just a little spirit that has not yet come into this world yet would have so much impact on our lives.  But, what an amazing blessing you have been in our lives so far, you have made us realize even more than we ever did before the blessing of LIFE!  What a sweet spirit you have brought into our family!

LOVE, 

Ashley (Mommy)