I feel like this topic is so fitting as tomorrow is Colton’s 7 year well check. You will get to know a lot more about Colton in the coming months, but for now here is an introduction to how our journey began.
I think it’s really funny how a photo can give you flash backs! Especially such a simple one of Colton holding “flowers.” March is Intrauterine growth restriction awareness month aka IUGR, and while I never remember in March, I have been reminded recently of how it’s still rearing its head in our daily lives!
The analogy of “Growing like a weed” is something I’ve NEVER heard about my child.
When I was 12 weeks pregnant Colton was diagnosed with severe IUGR. Basically this occurs when the baby is below the 10th percentile in fetal growth based on gestational age. This diagnosis is often because the baby is not getting the nutrients, he/she needs to grow.
There are a variety of reasons this can occur. In our situation Colton was developing with a 2-vessel umbilical cord (one vessel and one artery). This ONLY occurs in 1 % of pregnancies. A normal umbilical cord has 2 arteries and one vein. So basically, Colton wasn’t getting the nutrients he needs to GROW through the cord. In 90 % of the 1% of cases (still with me?) the 2 vessels compensate and make it work. This wasn’t the case for us! In hindsight I’m not shocked that Colton didn’t cooperate.
Colton was the 1%.
Colton’s vessels were trying to work but the blood flow was not steady and was pulsing in such a way that it was creating congestive heart failure.
The doctor had never seen a case like ours where this did not result in reverse which is a whole different issue I’m choosing not to elaborate on today!
THIS led to an array of medical tests, opinions from several specialists at Johns Hopkins, the pending delivery of a 1 lb. baby, increased risk of being stillborn with each passing day, plans being made for what could happen, a NICU stay to deal with problems with feeding, trouble keeping a steady body temperature, and low blood sugar.
I am still SOOOO thankful they were wrong about the heart failure, neurological problems, inability to fight off infections, kidney failure, spinal issues, VATER syndrome, intestine defects, abnormal blood cell counts, and loss of hearing. The what ifs are something I can’t seem to erase.
The “what if’s” keep me thankful for a VERY different outcome!
I want to bring awareness to a condition that may not be frequently known of or talked about! One day we may hear-He’s “growing like a weed” but if not that’s OK too!
He’s growing and holding on to those weeds and right now that’s all that matters.
Stay tuned for more Conversations with Colton!