Our Journey Begins

June 25, 20 weeks exactly -I went for my routine 20 week ultrasound. I was excited, looking forward to seeing my little baby again.  Things were going well until the tech got a shocked look on her face, then got quiet. I knew something was wrong. she left, saying she needed to check f she had all the shots needed, then came back 20 min later with a doctor. as soon as I saw him I asked what was wrong, I've never had a doctor in  the ultrasound room before.  he explained that our baby had a hole in its abdominal wall, with intestine on the outside. It looked like Gastroschisis, he said, but he wasn't ready to rule out Omphalocele.

July 9, I'm 22 weeks- We went to Macmaster Children's hospital for our detailed ultrasound and to meet a doctor there. They officially diagnosed baby with Gastroschisis. Approximately half of the small intestine is out, and possibly some of the large as well. (apparently its hard to tell the two apart from each other outside of the baby's body) The good news was that all the other organs are in the right places right now. This can change later in the pregnancy, but he said it usually stays about the same. The intestines are often damaged or swell, and parts could even die as the quality of the amniotic fluid deteriorates later in pregnancy. They will be watching for damage to the intestine with regular Mac ultrasounds, but will try to have me deliver as close to term as possible. If Baby comes early there will be prematurity symptoms to deal with as well. Many Gastro babies spontaneously come early, but they will try to prevent that.
When Baby is born if the intestines are undamaged they will put a silo (looks sort of like plastic wrap) around them and slowly over days or weeks push them back through the opening into the abdominal cavity, before closing the opening with surgery. They need to do this very slowly because the intestines have never been inside, so there is not enough room for them. If they pushed them all in at one time the lungs would be under too much pressure, and could fail. If the Intestines are damaged at birth they will need to cut out the dead parts, and try stitch what is left together before they can try put them inside.
After surgery we will need to wait and see if the intestines are working before Baby will be able to eat. They will start feeds very slowly gradually increasing them if Baby does well, but stopping or slowing them if Baby does not do well.
Best case scenario we will be able to bring Baby home after about a month in the hospital. However if there is damage or complications after Baby is born it could be much longer.  The Doctor told us that about 90% of babies born with gastroschisis go home without further issues. I will be going to the high risk pregnancy clinic at Mac for the rest of my pregnancy, and Baby will need to be born there, and will go straight into the NICU after birth. At this point there is nothing medically I can to to change the outcome for Baby.
We have been blessed with many calls, email, and offers of support and help, I truly am grateful. Later in the pregnancy, and especially after Baby is born we will need the help everyone has offered, for now we need your prayers.
Please pray for Baby to be born as close to term as possible. Although many Gastro babies come early, the future outcome is much better when Baby is born at or close to term.
Please pray that there is little or no damage to the intestines
Please pray that baby does not experience  infections, bowel obstructions, or other complications after birth.
Please pray for our other children, they will have a hard time when life is turned upside down after Baby is born.
Please Pray for Dennis and I, that we have the strength needed, and that we do not dwell on the possible negative outcomes, but focus on the positives

The passage that has been running through my head for the past few weeks is one that is part of what has always been my favorite text "6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philipians 4:6-7
and this one jumped out at me today
"Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17 NIVUK"

The Lord is in control of everything, and he will work everything for good, we can trust in this. I don't know why he would chose for Baby to be born with Gastroschisis, but we can trust that he has a plan in this too.