Our Big Day

2 years ago our son Sam was born and found to have a rare blood disorder called NAIT. The condition is so rare that it took the doctors many days and many tests to figure out the cause of his low blood platelets.

We did some research on NAIT and found out that because my body has built up antibodies against all my future pregnancies, it may be very hard to carry another baby without dangerous complications.

Last year at the NICU reunion we ran into Sam's doctor who was excited to inform us that there was now a specialist in our area that had experience treating NAIT patients.

Today, after weeks of being excited/afraid/thrilled/nervous, we met the maternal fetal medicine doctor to discuss our options.

He was extremely positive.

Doctor Barford explained to the both of us that because Matt is homozygous for the antigen PLA1, the next pregnancy will for sure need to be treated for NAIT. Because of this, we don't have to do any high risk testing during the pregnancy. At 12 weeks gestation, I will start getting immunoglobulin suppressant transfusions once a week throughout the entire pregnancy. This will be extremely difficult for me, to say the least, but I know it will all be worth it.

I will have to deliver through c-section to lower the risk of bruising to the baby, but the chances of delivering a normal platelet count baby are very good.

Although the treatments for a future pregnancy are extremely expensive and strenuous, there is hope for us to grow our family. It was extremely good news to hear after years of being in the dark about our future.

The next steps are to get better insurance, get an appointment with my fertility doctor and....hire a stork :)

To add to our exciting day, Matt had a really great interview for an AMAZING job. Please think positive thoughts for us...we are hoping and praying that things finally work out this time.