We are excited to introduce the newest member of our family. Bridger Lee Taylor Born today at 8:37 am on Sunday July 27, 2014. He weighs just 5 lbs 7 oz and is 18.5 inches long.
(Right after delivery)
(My hand on Bridger...look how cute and tiny!)
Back in March (19 weeks) when we went in for an ultrasound to find out the gender we found out that our little BOY was a little "inside out". Our ultrasound tech explained that our son had Gastroschesis. He has a hole in his abdomen next to his umbilical cord. Some of his digestive organs were on the outside of his body instead of the inside of his body.
We were meeting the ultrasound tech at a birth center. Before this news we had been debating doing a home birth or a birth center delivery as we had done with Carter, our first child. At this point we realized things would change and we would need to be seeing doctors for high risk pregnancies (Perinatology/Maternal Fetal Medicine).
Jordan and I were sad to learn this news but we were able to do a little google research and learn more about the condition and the positive outlook for our baby.
I spent the next couple days on the phone with our insurance trying to figure out what this meant for our family and our finances. It turned out God works miracles in ways we don't necessarily expect and often times before we even know to ask for his help. The ultrasound appointment had been bumped up one week early. At the time we had been ignoring all the commercials about open enrollment for insurances under the Affordable Care Act. Now with just a few days left to enroll in this insurance we decided to look into these other insurance options available. We found a plan through Select Health (with high monthly premiums) that seems it would really help us out with the forecast of upcomming hospital bills. So the health care system that I have only heard negative things about because an answer to prayers not yet said.
Over the next couple weeks we found a great Doctor, (a leading researcher of Gastroschesis). Dr Bryne at University of Utah. We learned that University of Utah would be the best place for me to seek care since it is attached to Primary Children's and our little guy would need surgery and to spend some time at Primary Children's once he is born.
Having very little experience with the hospital world we have been very impressed with all the people we have worked with. During the weeks/months of planning for this we have met the Perinatologist, Neonatologist, the Neonatal Surgeon, and taken a tour of the NICU (neo-natal intensive care unit). I see my doctor weekly, get ultrasounds every 2 weeks and do Non Stress Tests 2x/week).
We are lucky to live so close to an amazing hospital that is all ready to help us through this. We are also very blessed to have so many friends and family close and ready to help when we ask.
Both Grandmas (Jordan's mom and My mom) have opened up their schedules to be able to assist with Carter while we spend time at Primary Children's with our new little boy.
Little Bridger will have the organs on the outside of his body put in a silo (a plastic bag) hanging over his abddomen. Gravity will help as they slowly allow this organs to make their way back into his belly. After a few days to a week they will do a closer surgery. After that surgery comes the real patients. It can be a long processes getting the digestive system working. We are hoping that he will be a strong fighter and that his body will adjust and begin working quickly. We are hoping to bring our baby home within 4-6 weeks. However our doctor has prepared us to not be surprised if he has to stay in the hospital till the end of October (3 months). The nice thing about Gastroschesis is that most children have little to no problems long term. Just a funny looking belly button.
(Bridger with the silo)
You may wonder why we didnt tell the world about this news back in March when we found out. We decided it was best to just tell our closest friends and family members. It has been so nice to be able to celebrate pregnancy and our wonderful little boy. Over the past couple weeks we decide to start telling more people and we are grateful for all of the support, offers to help, and the prayers that are being said for our family. We know our Heavenly Father is aware of us and our situation and we are so grateful to live in a time when the medical world is ready and capable of dealing with this.
(He sure is a sweet little guy)
If you would like to get updates on our family and little Bridger's progress you can check back on this blog.
Much Love,
The Taylor Family
Jordan, Jennie, Carter, and Baby Bridger
