CarverMaddox Kooima Carver & Maddox Kooima

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Here is a little history of our story and diagnosis of Fetal Growth Restriction.  
In April of 2021 I went to the Dr for an early appointment and ultrasound because we had a miscarriage in September of 2020.  The results of my blood draw showed an antibody that was not present for my other pregnancies and we were sent to Sioux Falls for further testing.  In May we went to the Maternal Fetal Medicine clinic is Sioux Falls for more blood draws and an ultrasound.  The ultrasound revealed what the Dr thought was Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome.  The membrane separating the twins and folded down, giving a small amount of room and fluid to Baby B.  Two weeks later we made the trip to the Maternal Fetal Medicine Center in Minneapolis.  While there we had an extensive ultrasound and echoes done for both babies.  The Dr said it was not Twin to Twin Transfusion syndrome, but we were officially diagnosed with Fetal Growth Restriction.  The ultrasound and echoes showed no other abnormalities which we were thankful for.  


We continued with weekly ultrasounds in Sioux Falls and set a goal of making it to 26 weeks.  I was admitted to the hospital on Monday, August 9 for monitoring, a magnesium drip and steroid shots.  That week they continued to monitor the babies 3 times a day.  The nurses had their work cut out for them as both babies would continuously move and keeping up with where to put the monitors so their heart beats would read on the screen.  On Friday the 13th I had an ultrasound that morning and Baby B wasn't moving as much so the ultrasound tech was able to get all the pictures she needed.  Unfortunately, the pictures showed that it was time to deliver.  


I had eaten breakfast that day so we were told it would be in the evening, then it got moved to 'in 20 minutes', and finally we went back to the room at 1:00 p.m.  I was thankful that everyone decided we could at least wait until Travis was with me since he had practice that morning.  Carver Matthew was born at 1:35 and Maddox Eugene was born at 1:36.  


We have a long journey in the NICU ahead of us and we pray that these boys will grow healthy and strong and be able to tell their story one day as they are truly a miracle from God.