Baby Update: 33 weeks

Another week down! Feels good but we're not quite ready to relax just yet.

We had another ultrasound with the specialist on Tuesday and considering our situation things are looking fairly good. The measurements for the placenta weren't as good as the last time but were still better than the first appointment (mostly less than 4...borderline but stable). My fluid while low is still pretty similar to what we've been getting. I will continue to have my fluid measured weekly so that they can keep a close eye on it in case there is a sudden drop.

The baby's measurements were more encouraging than last time. Baby K's head grew some more and is back up to the 80th percentile. Her abdomen is slightly lower percentage-wise but the difference was pretty small and there was definitely growth there over the last two weeks. They are still having a hard time getting a really good measurement of it because of how her legs are positioned. Her overall size clocks her in at about the 27th percentile vs only the 18th previously. Her estimated weight is about 4lbs 5oz.

My nonstress tests this week have continued to look good as well. There is still a lot of unknown and we know that a lot can change but if they stay stable like they are then we have really good reason to think we can make it to at least 37 weeks and possibly even beyond. I try to keep my hopes focused to one week at a time though.

I'm getting to know the staff at my doctor's office very well and they have been great. When I show up they wave and say... "I'll let her know you're here". I don't even have to check in anymore.

Kevin's co-workers threw a baby shower for him today at work. I was welcome but I had my appointment and after discussing we thought I could do without that level of excitement (lots of new people). Kevin did bring me home some cake and it was delicious! It was wonderful of them to organize this and now we're that much closer to being ready for our little girls arrival.

As we speak Kevin is raking some of the leaves in our front yard. It is seeming a little pointless with the wind but at least our driveway is cleared of these tiny annoying leaves that easily get dragged into the house. We live on an older block and the leaves seem pretty endless sometimes! Our gutters need cleaned out pretty bad but I think waiting another week will be better.

This weekend we plan on spending some time working on the nursery. Once things are a little more organized I'll try to get some pictures up. Until next week....

Baby Update: 32 Weeks

We made it to our first goal...32 weeks! We are very excited about this number and 34 weeks is the next goal. It's hard to believe that it's been 4 weeks since we first heard about the growth issue. It hasn't been an easy 4 weeks but thanks to all the love and support from family and friends we've made it this far.

Bedrest still isn't fun but with a few restrictions lifted I don't feel quite as isolated as I did the first week. It's still frustrating not being able to do all the little things around the house that you sort of take for granted but we're managing.

I had an ultrasound earlier this week to check my amniotic fluid level and it seems to be staying steady. They did a biophysical on the baby and she scored an 8/8 (graded on fetal movement, muscle tone, breathing, and the fluid level) so that is good news as well. My uterus measured at 31cm the other day and I'm still gaining weight. I've gained 23 pounds so far and they seem happy with both these numbers. I just came from a non-stress test and the baby's heart is reacting normally also. We go next week to see the specialist and they'll check on her growth again so we'll have an even better idea of how things are going. Feeling pretty optimistic this week though!



I'm definitely feeling more and more uncomfortable each week. Things like rolling over in bed, putting my socks on, and getting up off of the couch are not nearly as easy as they once were. I've taken more and more to grunting while doing these tasks. Adjusting myself in bed warrants the most grunts and typically involves at least 4 of them. And yes...Kevin does laugh sometimes...but before you get mad I must admit...it is kind of funny.

A bit of nausea has also crept back. It's not like the first trimester nausea but it isn't exactly fun either. I have to eat so slowly and it's frustrating because there are times when I am famished and want to scarf food down. That, however, is a big mistake and typically results in that delicious food coming right back up.

We celebrated 32 weeks last night with a toast. (I'm having goblin juice in case you were wondering...sparkling apple and cherry juice)

During Brian and Moria's visit, they bought Lupin a Halloween costume. They chose a devil costume which only seemed fitting for Lupin's personality. He didn't exactly love having it on but I think his facial expression in the picture is a good representation of his overall character. Not going to lie...it was pretty cute watching him walk around in this thing. 

 

Baby Update: 30 and 31 weeks

Well...we made it to 31 weeks. Each week feels like a huge accomplishment at this point so we are pretty pleased. Still, we'll feel slightly better if I make it at least one more to 32 weeks.



On Monday we had our second appointment with the specialist down in Saginaw. The measurements they got for the placenta were slightly improved from the last visit. I mentioned previously that a number less than 4 is what they want and we were getting numbers between 3 and 3.7 (they take several readings along the cord at different distances from the placenta). Good news there. The measurements for the baby didn't leave us feeling quite as warm and fuzzy.

Baby K's head is still above the 50th percentile mark put was only around 70% compared to the 90% a couple weeks before. The abdomen measurement was concerning in that it was only reading at 5.8% compared to 10.9% previously. Her overall size is around the 20th percentile versus the 40th percentile previously. The doctor doesn't want to take action yet because they never base a decision off of one measurement. There is a certain amount of error built into ultrasound and the baby's positioning could be influencing some of the numbers (She is currently in frank breach position so her knees/legs are pressing in on the abdomen making things a little trickier).

My fluid levels were a little lower than last time. They're still in range but they definitely want to keep an eye on them. I will be going to the hospital in Midland on Monday for a fluid measurement and it seems like they'll have me go in there on the weeks that I don't have an ultrasound with the specialist so they can pick up any sudden drops. Our next appointment with the specialist is in two weeks.

It the meantime I'm still seeing my regular OB twice a week for the non-stress tests. They've all looked good so far but I can't help but be a little nervous each time I go in. If any given appointment doesn't look okay there is that possibility of having to go to the hospital for further monitoring and the potential for delivery. I try not to dwell on that too much but it is hard sometimes. My uterus measurements on Tuesday did look really good though. The doctor even double checked because she was happy with what she saw. She measured 30.5cm (only 0.5cm behind "ideal" and up from 28cm last week).

Besides baby stuff we've been lucky enough to have Brian and Moria in town this week. They are on their last week of traveling around before heading to New York to get settled in their new apartment and starting their post-docs at Cornell. It's been absolutely wonderful having them here. We watched the Stanford football game on Saturday, played a little Singstar karaoke for old times sake, and we've watched a few movies, and just enjoyed catching up.

Kevin, Brian, and Moria all raked the lawn on Sunday and plan to do it again on Saturday. I came home from one appointment to find Brian and Moria cleaning out our gutters which was pretty amazing. It needed done and since that would have fallen on Kevin I know he is incredibly grateful. They've also made dinner several times which has been delicious and kept me company during the day. Moria went with me to get a few things for my hospital bag and Brian is helping Kevin get a few things like curtain rods put up in the nursery. It's been a wonderful distraction having them here and I wish I had the right words to express how much it has meant to us to have their help this week. 

They even built Lupin a playhouse one evening when we had a childbirth class so I know he's happy they are here!

Since I have so many appointments and each week is a big deal to us at this point I'm going to try and get a weekly update going as opposed to every other week. Thanks again for all the love and support over these last few difficult weeks. We're lucky to have such great family and friends during this time.