OT Baby Update

The baby was 24 ws old on July 18, 2007.  It has been seven ws since
the water broke.  Only one baby in approximately 128 with PPROM will live
this far.  Because it has reached this age Judith and the baby went into the
hospital on July 18.  She has received two steroid shots that they hope will
help the baby's lung tissue develop.



Today, July 19th we got another sonogram.  The gestational age was 22 ws
and three days so as expected it is undersized.  However there were some
positive things.  Since July 2nd the baby's weight has increased from 300
grams to 516 grams (1 lb. 20 oz.).  There was some confusion in the initial
report of the birth defect as to whether it was an omphalocele or whether it
was gastroschisis.  Gastroschisis is a bigger problem but fortunately they
think it is omphalocele and also they think that the liver in not involved
and in its normal position. That is still serious and life threatening.



The main threat now is the possible lack of lung development due to no
amniotic fluid.  No matter what the weight or other factors this one is the
key.  Unfortunately the lung tissue cannot be seen on the sonogram.  There
is only one way to tell if the baby has enough lung tissue to survive and
that will be to test them out in the real world when the baby is delivered.
Each day that there is a delay in the delivery of the baby increases its
chances.  So there is increased hope, increased chance of survival but make
no mistake, at this point the percentages are not great.  The baby is on the
cusp or edge of being or becoming viable.  This is more than could have been
reasonably expected at the beginning, so all praise to God for His love and
mercy toward us and thanks to all of you for your prayers and support.



Charles Hottel