I keep reminding myself that Alex's health, being a baby with Down Syndrome, could always be worse. He still has PDA, Patent Ductus Arteriosis. According to Wikipedia, "the Ductus Arteriosus is a blood vessel connecting the pulmonary artery to the descending aorta. It allows most of the blood from the right ventricle to bypass the fetus' fluid-filled non-functioning lungs." Patent means stuck, so PDA is the failure of this duct to close. It is fairly common in DS babies. It's also why Alex has been on oxygen for the last month or so.
DS babies can also be slow growers, particularly with PDA, because so much energy goes into breathing that there's not much energy left to grow. With supplemental oxygen, the baby's body is able to use its energy to grow. Phew! I'm glad I am able to get the explanation out onto the blog, to where I can now refer people who want to know what this is.
At the doctor's office yesterday, Alex's oxygen level was 96% on room air. That means that he now only needs to wear the oxygen cannula while he's asleep. Yay!!!
Mr Cutie Booty is getting a little cranky. I think he's hungry. I need to go attend to him. Take care for now!
Growing, rolling, and oh-so-cute!
September 6, 2016
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
A little background
Alex hasn't been born yet. As of November 17, 2015, we are 35 gestational weeks along. We are planning a c-section on December 15, at 39 gestational weeks.
This pregnancy was not exactly planned, but it wasn't prevented either. So we were surprised, to say the least, when we found out at 10 weeks along that we were expecting. Because of my age, let's just say that I'm over 40, this pregnancy was deemed high risk. Several tubes of blood was taken at that time for various tests. We found out a few days later that the fetus is male and that he has Trisomy 21, the medical definition of Down Syndrome.
Admittedly, at first the thought of having a child with DS was shocking and dismaying. After we got used to the idea, however, we've completely embraced the idea of having him and loving him and raising him to the best of our ability. We both believe in the sanctity of human life, so the thought of not continuing the pregnancy was repugnant and completely out of the question. We are not telling everyone that Alex has DS. When we have told people and we get an, "I'm sorry," the first thing I want to say, and often do, is, "We're not." The quote I absolutely love is, "Special needs kids aren't sent to special parents, they make parents special." 'Nuf said.
This pregnancy was not exactly planned, but it wasn't prevented either. So we were surprised, to say the least, when we found out at 10 weeks along that we were expecting. Because of my age, let's just say that I'm over 40, this pregnancy was deemed high risk. Several tubes of blood was taken at that time for various tests. We found out a few days later that the fetus is male and that he has Trisomy 21, the medical definition of Down Syndrome.
Admittedly, at first the thought of having a child with DS was shocking and dismaying. After we got used to the idea, however, we've completely embraced the idea of having him and loving him and raising him to the best of our ability. We both believe in the sanctity of human life, so the thought of not continuing the pregnancy was repugnant and completely out of the question. We are not telling everyone that Alex has DS. When we have told people and we get an, "I'm sorry," the first thing I want to say, and often do, is, "We're not." The quote I absolutely love is, "Special needs kids aren't sent to special parents, they make parents special." 'Nuf said.
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