Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Another week closer...

Today I went in for one of my 2 week appointments with my ob. Due to my recent ultrasounds my due date is now August 12...which means I scheduled my c-section for a mere 3 days before I should deliver. I am definitely cutting it close, which means I am somewhat expecting to deliver before the 9th. I am really ready for him to come anytime after the middle of July, though. A part of me thinks that the longer hes in there cooking, the better...and I have been waiting over a year and a half to hold my very own living, breathing child in my arms- what difference does a few weeks make? The other half of me worries about the chord wrapping around his neck, another placental abruption, or a car accident and if I could just get him here (after lungs are mature- of course) then I would know hes ok.

Ultimately I believe that any possibility of this little guy not making it was eliminated a long time ago. I truly believe I have an amazing doctor who thankfully caught my MTHFR and put me on the proper meds from the very beginning. While there is no proof that MTHFR and PPROM are linked, I believe completely that that is the reason I had problems with my pregnancy with Brody. Someday after I win the megamillions I will fund some sort of research on PPROM ;)

As far as future appointments go, heres the rundown: In two weeks I'll be back to my OB for another 2 week check and NST (Non stress test). From what I understand this is where I will be hooked up to 2 monitors to measure for contractions and the baby's heart rate for about 20 minutes. From there on out I will be in for weekly appointments and will also get the NST every week as well. I will also have one last ultrasound on July 15th to check amniotic fluid and development and make sure hes moving like he should be. I agree completely with my doc when he said today "hopefully we are doing all of this for nothing." We are getting close to the end, I cannot begin to thank all of you enough for all your support and encouragement through this entire process.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

31 week ultrasound update

Since the high risk doctor found me at moderate risk for pre eclampsia a few months back, he has wanted me to go in monthy for ultrasounds to check blood flow and birth weight. Yesterday Jeremy and I went in to check out Max on the ultrasound- and it was simply amazing.
We arrived bright and early to MFM at Toledo Hospital, and when we got called back the tech asked us if we knew the sex. We told her we have known for quite some time that it was a boy, and within seconds she found his "pickle" and said "whoa! that is definitely a boy!" There was Max, legs spread, proudly showing off his business, and it was funny. We then saw his foot, and she was so amazed it was so big, and told us we were going to have one big baby boy by the size of his feet:) She then went on to check blood flow into the brain, and through the umbilical chord. Everything was pumping good, although the chord was very hard to get a read on because Max was wiggling so much. Next she took measurements of legs, arms, belly, and head to get a read on how much the little guy weighs. Up until this ultrasound I was pretty much a pro. After about 100 ultrasounds in the past 2 years, I have been able to tell what everything is they are looking at and checking for. But this was my first ultrasound seeing a baby bigger than 26 weeks old, and its crazy how many more questions I asked this time around. I am very interested, and I want to know everything they are looking at, checking for, and if there is something that doesn't seem quite right. The Toledo techs tell me everything- which I love....the tech's at St. V's never told me anything because only the doctor was allowed to talk to me. I then asked to see if they could get some 3d images of the little guy. He was in a pretty good position so she went for it. Wow these were amazing!! Toledo Hospital has some of the best machines around, and the images were so clear. It was so fascinating watching him move his little hand up and down and wiggle. I laid there with the biggest smile on my face, just so thankful for this little miracle (while also making "oooohs and aaaaahs like most do when watching fireworks).
So here are the stats: Max had a heartbeat of 156 bpm and weighed in at 3 pounds 15 ounces....so possibly by today hes 4 pounds! I was 31 weeks 2 days gestation going in and measured at 32 weeks exactly. This was so great to hear since the high risk doc thought he was going to struggle to keep up with his weight from the lack of blood flow. But all looks wonderful!!
As far as me and how I am feeling: I no longer have any back pain and I have been feeling pretty good! My only complaint now is that my feet hurt alll the time, and I think a huge factor for that is that I primarily wear flip flops which dont provide much comfort. Its not horrible, but a good excuse to stay seated :)