Clarification and definitions.

I did some research online last night and thought I would pass it one to those of you who are curious. Below is a clear definition of the zero blood that they have been seeing on Yip. So far they have only seen the absent end-diastolic flow, if they were do see the reverse flow we would have some babies coming early.

"Absent end-diastolic flow: Normally, the blood flow through the umbilical artery (and in all other arteries) is forward; as the heart pumps the blood forward, the flow through the arteries is more rapid right after each heartbeat, and slows down a little in between heartbeats. In some disease states (such as severe TTTS), the blood flow in the umbilical artery comes to a stop in between heartbeats: there is absent flow at the end of diastole (the phase in between heartbeats, as opposed to systole, or heartbeat). In very severe cases, the blood flow in diastole is even reversed (blood flows backward, toward the heart): this is termed reversed end diastolic flow in the umbilical artery."

http://bms.brown.edu/pedisurg/Fetal/TTTSGlossary.html

We have been going in for scans where they look at the Doppler to determine if there is this absent end-diastolic flow. I found a web page that shows what a normal, absent end, and reverse flow looks like on a real scan.

http://www.fleshandbones.com/readingroom/pdf/1157.pdf

Go to the bottom of page 48, that is where the description starts, then the pictures are on the next page.

At this site also is a descriptions of what makes up the 8 out of 8 score that we have been getting with every scan. If at some point we do not get and 8 out of 8 (which we will not!) they will have to take the babies early. This description is on page 50 of the site above. I go in for the Biophysical profile every day and they look at everything you see in table 2.1 on page 50, the CTG is done in my room with the heart rate monitor, so that makes it a 10 out of 10.

Hope this helps explain what is going on, let me know if you have more questions and I can answer or ask one of my Docs.