Today was our appointment with the high risk ob. Luckily, it was the same doctor we saw when we had our little "heart" concern at 20 weeks, so he was familiar with our pregnancy.
The did a biophysical profile which turned out well. My amniotic fluid continues to be normal. They did see the same calcification concerns in the placenta as my doctor. They did a cord doppler and it shows flow restriction in the umbilical artery as well as an abnormal umbilical s/d ratio. This is their biggest concern.
The best news today is that the baby has gained weight and is up to 4lbs 2 oz! Originally, they were expecting me to deliver around 4 lbs, so this is great progress. So of course, this means more bed rest for me.
The doctor today said that they won't take the pregnancy past 37 weeks. He doesn't feel that the environment for the baby would be beneficial past that point. We have moved to twice a week monitoring and appointments. I will go in every 3 days from now on. He also said to bring my packed bags with me to each appointment. Which pretty much means, I could go in for monitoring one day and they could send me directly to the hospital to deliver.
We talked a little about "mode of delivery" because it is something I have been thinking about. Originally, I really wanted the traditional childbirth experience. However, the doctors have all told me that the stress of delivery is usually too much for a IUGR baby to handle. They said today based on the babies weight, they will let me attempt a traditional delivery, but I do need to prepare myself for the fact that I have a high chance of requiring a c-section. Not my first choice, but at this point, all I care about is the baby being delivered healthy.
Please continue your prayers!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Week 34 Update
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Today was our week 34 visit to the OB and we got the BEST Christmas present! Although the baby is still small and the placenta is a huge concern, the biophysical and non-stress test results were great. They are really noticing a difference in the baby since I have been following their bed rest orders! (And because of everyone's prayers!)
The doctor said they will have a meeting next week to review my results from the high risk ob (my appointment there is 12/29). After that they will decide if I need to come in twice a week for monitoring or stay at once a week.
The doctor said if the monitoring maintains where I am at, I should be able to carry to 38 weeks! Still 2 weeks early, but better than the 36 we were aiming for originally. Of course, this all depends on me continuing to stay off my feet, drink LOTS of water and do kick counts 3 times a day. The bed rest is driving me crazy, but after todays appointment it is all worth it.
I feel so much better today. I definately can not take one good appointment for granted, but considering the mood I have been in, this is great news.
Please continue your prayers, we really appreciate it!
Today was our week 34 visit to the OB and we got the BEST Christmas present! Although the baby is still small and the placenta is a huge concern, the biophysical and non-stress test results were great. They are really noticing a difference in the baby since I have been following their bed rest orders! (And because of everyone's prayers!)
The doctor said they will have a meeting next week to review my results from the high risk ob (my appointment there is 12/29). After that they will decide if I need to come in twice a week for monitoring or stay at once a week.
The doctor said if the monitoring maintains where I am at, I should be able to carry to 38 weeks! Still 2 weeks early, but better than the 36 we were aiming for originally. Of course, this all depends on me continuing to stay off my feet, drink LOTS of water and do kick counts 3 times a day. The bed rest is driving me crazy, but after todays appointment it is all worth it.
I feel so much better today. I definately can not take one good appointment for granted, but considering the mood I have been in, this is great news.
Please continue your prayers, we really appreciate it!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Can't Sleep
I can not sleep. So what am I doing? Looking things up on the internet. Bad idea! You always find the worst case scenerio online.
I am just very frustrated. Prior to getting pregnant, I lost weight and was eating healthy. I started taking pre-natal vitamins before we started trying to get pregnant. I have taken my vitamins, including a DHA supplement, every day. I have been watching what I eat, keeping my weight in check, exercising (but not too much) and going to the doctor. So why am I having these problems???
Some of the main reasons for IUGR and calcification in the placenta are: smoker (never have been), drug use (again, not me), diabetes (nope), hypertension (my blood pressure has been great my entire pregnancy) or lupus (not me either). So what gives????
Everything I read and hear is contradicting. Keep the baby in as long as possible vs the baby has a better chance of surviving if it is delivered early. I know that the longer the baby stays in utero, the bigger it can grow. But I also keep reading awful article about stillbirth up til the due date because they didn't induce people early enough!
Ok, I feel better venting. But still can't sleep.....
I am just very frustrated. Prior to getting pregnant, I lost weight and was eating healthy. I started taking pre-natal vitamins before we started trying to get pregnant. I have taken my vitamins, including a DHA supplement, every day. I have been watching what I eat, keeping my weight in check, exercising (but not too much) and going to the doctor. So why am I having these problems???
Some of the main reasons for IUGR and calcification in the placenta are: smoker (never have been), drug use (again, not me), diabetes (nope), hypertension (my blood pressure has been great my entire pregnancy) or lupus (not me either). So what gives????
Everything I read and hear is contradicting. Keep the baby in as long as possible vs the baby has a better chance of surviving if it is delivered early. I know that the longer the baby stays in utero, the bigger it can grow. But I also keep reading awful article about stillbirth up til the due date because they didn't induce people early enough!
Ok, I feel better venting. But still can't sleep.....
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Week 33 Update
Back to the doctor again today. First was the sonogram. Babys heart beat was good and my amniotic fluid levels look good. My placenta is very small, which is part of the problem I am having. The cord doppler test (which measures flow from the placenta to the baby) today showed some restriction. The doctor was a little concerned so they are going to send me back to the perinatalogist for a more detailed sono and cord doppler test. The non-stress test showed that the baby has a good heartbeat and is moving well. I had to lay there for 45 minutes. Not a lot of fun, but whatever is best for the baby.
The doctor has put me on "suggested bed rest". Which means lay on my left side, stay off my feet, and keep my feet elevated as much as possible. I am not restricted to bed or the house, but should only go out when necessary. Thank goodness for an amazing boss. I am able to work from home (love reports!) and don't have any more travel booked til after the baby arrives. I feel very blessed that they are being so supportive.
Although we are trying to keep the baby in utero as long as possible, they suggested I have my bags ready for the hospital. We are still taking things week to week. So now, I rest as much as I can until next Wednesday for our next appointment!
Thank you for all the prayers and good wishes. It really does make a difference.
The doctor has put me on "suggested bed rest". Which means lay on my left side, stay off my feet, and keep my feet elevated as much as possible. I am not restricted to bed or the house, but should only go out when necessary. Thank goodness for an amazing boss. I am able to work from home (love reports!) and don't have any more travel booked til after the baby arrives. I feel very blessed that they are being so supportive.
Although we are trying to keep the baby in utero as long as possible, they suggested I have my bags ready for the hospital. We are still taking things week to week. So now, I rest as much as I can until next Wednesday for our next appointment!
Thank you for all the prayers and good wishes. It really does make a difference.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Blood Work
Thursday morning when I woke up I was having a lot of cramping. It started on Wednesday. I had some other issues too, so I called the doctors office. The had me come in and they did some screenings to make sure I wasn't going into early labor. I felt like a hypochondriac by calling, but after Monday's appointment I figure better safe than sorry. Luckily, everything looked good. I have a small infection which was probably causing the cramping. So they gave me some antibiotics and told me to drink lots of water. (like my bladder has any more room!)
Thursday afternoon I had to go in for bloodwork (again!). Feel like a pin cushion!
The doctors office just called and said the screening for pre-term labor came back negative!!!! Yeah! That is a good sign!!!
Thursday afternoon I had to go in for bloodwork (again!). Feel like a pin cushion!
The doctors office just called and said the screening for pre-term labor came back negative!!!! Yeah! That is a good sign!!!
Week 32 Update
We had our 32 week check up on Monday 12/8. At my request, they did a growth ultrasound (because of earlier measurements). Unfortunately, the ultrasound showed that the baby is growth restricted (IUGR) and my placenta is grade 3. What this means is the baby is less than the 10th percentile for its gestational age. The placenta grade means the placenta is starting to calcify and shut down.
The did a nonstress test on the baby and have now scheduled me for weekly appointments, sonograms with heart ratios and nonstress tests. The doctor said they will consider bed rest based on blood work I got done on Thursday 12/11.
Right now the baby is 2 lbs 12 oz. My stress test was good and the baby is moving alot, which is a good sign. For now I am taking it easy and working from home as much as possible. The doctor said while she would like to get me full term, she will be happy to get me to 36 weeks. They will monitor me weekly for now and determine if they need to induce labor because of decline in the placenta.
She told me not to go on the internet, which of course I did. DO NOT GO ON THE INTERNET. It is just going to freak you out more. Of course, I am a wreck but am just taking things day by day. I am a little emotional with all these hormones! Please pray for the baby. We want nothing more than for our baby to be born healthy.
The did a nonstress test on the baby and have now scheduled me for weekly appointments, sonograms with heart ratios and nonstress tests. The doctor said they will consider bed rest based on blood work I got done on Thursday 12/11.
Right now the baby is 2 lbs 12 oz. My stress test was good and the baby is moving alot, which is a good sign. For now I am taking it easy and working from home as much as possible. The doctor said while she would like to get me full term, she will be happy to get me to 36 weeks. They will monitor me weekly for now and determine if they need to induce labor because of decline in the placenta.
She told me not to go on the internet, which of course I did. DO NOT GO ON THE INTERNET. It is just going to freak you out more. Of course, I am a wreck but am just taking things day by day. I am a little emotional with all these hormones! Please pray for the baby. We want nothing more than for our baby to be born healthy.
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