Goodbye Twin B - Dies of Vanishing Twin Syndrome

To our family, friends and prayer support team. Thank you so much for lifting us up in your prayers over the last few weeks. It has been a rough emotional roller coaster for us. First we get a rush and excitement that God has given us a blessing of having twins.

But today we had the official confirmation from our OB/GYN doctor that we had lost Twin B. We had been given this heads up of potentially loosing the other twin a few weeks ago. And so that last few weeks have been very heavy on us specially on Marifel who is physically the one more involved in this journey. We have prayed earnestly that we will still have twins.

But the Lord has allowed that Twin B not continue to be part of our journey anymore. After finally having the confirmation at 4:23 this afternoon (September 4, 2009) that Twin B has died, Marifel and I looked at each other for a few seconds trying to hold back the tears that were welling up our eyes. We understood that it was not meant to be. But I guess it was just still hard to say goodbye to someone who has become part of us even for a short time. And so after wiping our tears away and emotionally trying to recover we are ready to move on, praising God that we still have Twin A's life to celebrate.

Now with the better and happier news:

Twin A is growing normally and healthy. Dr. Lewis our high risk doctor told Marifel that she can think of herself now as back to normal boring pregnancy. That's assuring right? :) The baby was even doing it's flips. Here are some sonogram photos of it.
top view with left hand
right side view & umbilical cord

top of head view and feet

looks like a thumbsucking baby :)
showing off a developing spine
The baby is now 10 cm or around three + inches from top of head to the butt :).
looks like thumbsucking, legs crossed & chillin! my kinda baby!

Also, in my excitement, I recorded the heartbeat on my iPhone hoping that one day I will convert it into my ring tone. But here is a demo of the HEARTBEAT.

Marifel is now 14 weeks pregnant and has entered the second trimester. We are told we have just overcome the first and most challenging trimester of pregnancy so we continue to praise God for this miracle and blessings.

I have been the one who has gained more weight in this pregnancy so far because Marifel can't hold down much food yet and I am the one who finishes it for her. She has not had any cramps or bleeding or spotting due to the Vanishing Twin Syndrome and we are told that her body is just going to absorb the dead fetus. We actually saw that it has shrunk a little bit already with no complications or harm to the other baby. Thank you Lord.

We are not sure yet of the gender of the baby but our sonographer told us that it looks like it is going to be a boy! YEAY! I was hoping for one anyway. :)

This continues to be a roller coaster journey for us but we have enjoyed every minute of it even during the waiting and sad times. Again thank you all for taking part in this exciting time of our life. Please continue to keep us in your prayers specially Marifel and the baby. To God be the glory and honor for all that He has done to us.

On this roller coaster with Love to you all,
from M3 Sigue :)