The worst news

Ultrasound Results

Mindy had her ultrasound today and the cervical length showed between 0.7 and 0.9. Using the data we have gathered from week 19 to 24 I can easily extrapolate the date that number is expected to go to zero accounting for the pressure increases on the uterine wall but I won't. It's clear partus praetemporaneus is ahead and I'm going to ride the river of denial with Mindy all the way in my head to 28 weeks. Maybe there's a point where the cervix just "catches" like a net and stops reducing. Who knows? She'll have bi-weekly ultrasounds to determine the progress and we'll continue to post results.

I am skewing the math results to get to week 28 with some clever geometric work.

NICU Doctor Visit and Potential Tour
The NICU doctor came by yesterday. We are supposed to tour today but I'm not sure if I want or don't want to. He talked about cerebral palsy, respiratory distress syndrome secondary to the babies not being able to produce surfactant and many more things a person wouldn't wish on the children of his worst enemy. I can't imagine that Mindy would be allowed in a wheelchair now to tour the NICU anyway. I expect we'll see it soon enough. Mindy needs to eat and get big and strong (bigger and stronger) to deal with what is coming up. There are a number of medical interventions supported by the literature but the best case is to keep the babies in there as long as possible.

• Giving Mag Sulfate again just before birth will reduce the risk of the CP by about half. 

• The initial steroid dose will reduce the risk of respiratory distress though controversy surrounds the rescue dose just before birth indicating a possible reduction in weight, length and head circumference (though that's not really a bad thing given the father's genetics, my grandad said, "don't worry, his body'll grow into that head". However, the damaging effects of RDS are so bad the potential benefits outweigh the risks. 

• Antibiotics will reduce the risk of Strep B infection.  

Mindy takes the news with her normal verve

Keep on coming

Mindy will need you more than ever now that she is confined to bed rest, going to the bathroom and just one shower every other day. She'll be showering today so if you are concerned about that, stick to the odd days for visits. I'm always congested so I'm fine, I can still be there every day, thanks for asking.

Come Visit Me! Poster I'll be sending the mail to everyone...she's so darn cute.