Ultrasound #4 Update and NAMES!

Can I just point out that two weeks ago we didn't even know we were having twins? This has been the emotional roller coaster of all emotional roller coasters.

This morning's ultrasound was not as we hoped. Baby A's fluid levels were much less- very hard to find any fluid at all around him. He was still moving well, his heart beat was strong and his cord flow looks good. Baby B's fluid had increased a little bit and as usual he was jumping around all over the place. We consulted with the doctor and he thought it was time to intervene. We decided that we would first try an amnioreduction. An amnioreduction is like an amniocentesis in that they poke a needle and catheter in my belly and pull out fluid. But instead of drawing out 20mL or so for an amniocentesis they pulled out 900ml (almost a liter) of fluid from around Baby B. The procedure went as well as we could have hoped. The doctor said I was a champ even though I almost threw up on him. I'm at home now resting completely until Wed am when we go back for another ultrasound to check their fluid levels. My mom came and got the girls and took them to Greenville to hang out with all their grandparents so I can rest completely.

And now? There are probably three paths we could take.
1. We go in Wed, both babies' fluid levels are good and we continue the pregnancy with close monitoring. Some moms only need one amnioreduction to help even the fluids out.
2. We go in Wed, both babies' fluid levels have improved but over time Baby B's increases again. We can do another amnioreduction or even a few more as needed.
3. We go in Wed, the babies' fluid levels have not improved or have gotten worse, we will start applying to do a laser surgery that is offered at a few places around the country.

We have felt God's peaceful, calming presence in the middle of very emotional ultrasounds and conversations with doctors. We know its because we have so many people praying with us and for us and for our baby boys! We are asking that their fluid levels would even out, that both babies would continue to thrive in the womb even in the midst of such stress, and that we would have wisdom as we continually make decisions that would give these boys the best chance at life.

And so we decided on names for the boys! We wanted to be able to pray for them by name and not just Baby A or B. So I present to you

Owen William Caskey and Rhys Fitzgerald Caskey

Baby A, our donor baby, our little one, is Owen William. Owen is a Welsh name meaning well born or young warrior. Jonathan heard someone talking about this name weeks before we knew we were having a boy, before we knew we were having twins, before we knew we would be fighting TTTS and we loved it. When we saw the meaning, we knew it was perfect for our baby A. William is in honor of Owen's dad (Jonathan William) and Jonathan's grandfather plus many other close family members who share that name.

Baby B, our recipient baby, our bigger one, is Rhys (pronounced Reese) Fitzgerald. Rhys is another Welsh name (we didn't even try- it just happened!) that means enthusiasm or fervor. He has been most enthusiastic in my belly as he's had a large swimming pool to do flips and tricks in. Fitzgerald is my maiden name.