Update and Decisions

Last Friday was quite an entertaining day! We had our high-risk doctors visit first thing in the morning to recheck the fluid that was around the baby's heart. It was still there and the doctor was concerned about it so he called the Cardiologist to see what he wanted to do. While we were still there the High-risk doctor said that if we were 38 weeks along it would be a cut and dry decision to go and deliver. Before I even left the office the cardiologist office called to make an appointment to fit me in later in the afternoon. So I left the office under the impression that this was not good and we would possibly be having a baby sooner rather than later! I am so glad I waited to call people (mostly my parents) until after the cardiologist appointment because I would have had them coming down the next day. :) At the cardiologist they did the ultrasound of the baby's heart and they weren't finding any pockets of fluid. There is a very thin layer of fluid between the baby's heart and the outside lining (pericardial lining???) and the doctor explained it that when the baby's heart contracts and you take a still picture of it (which is what the high-risk doctor does) it looks like a pocket of fluid has built up, but as the heart expands it spreads it out and everything they were seeing at the Cardiologist was within normal limits of what could possibly be there. It didn't sound like there should be fluid there, but apparently there is a small amount that is considered to be normal. So he was greatly relieved and said we were good to go until I went into labor. So I went from thinking we were having a baby within a week to having 3 1/2 plus weeks left. It was a rather crazy day! I had Leigh meet me over there because I didn't want to have to decide when to have this baby by myself, but it turned out to be unnecessary, which was good. So we went to a BBQ restaurant for dinner since our anniversary was the next day. It was a nice relaxing end to our hectic day.

Our OB visit was Tuesday, and it went well. Leigh went with me because he hadn't met the dr. before and we went planning to ask him to make a decision regarding the delivery. The cardiologist was still saying natural was fine, but the high-risk doctor was recommending a cesarean. So our OB looked things over and he called the high-risk doctor and due to concerns about the baby's heart rate dropping during labor and delivery, and not getting enough oxygen to the brain, he also recommended a cesarean.

So, our C-section is scheduled for July 3rd (39 weeks) at 9:30 a.m. I don't really want a C-section, but I am comfortable with the decision and understand the concerns involved, etc. It's also kind of nice to have an end date. I've gone past my due date with all the others and that last week seems to last forever! :)

We went to the high-risk doctor this morning and everything looked the same. He said things were stable and we'd see him next week.

While we were at the high-risk doctor, he apologized for having us come in every week, and mentioned that I've probably been to the doctor more for this little girls pregnancy than I was with all the others combined. I agreed that I probably have. After thinking back over the past 17/18 weeks and all the ups and downs and puzzlings and questions and such, I feel very thankful for our baby and the problems that she has. I know it's still wait and see how she does once she's born, but it could be much, much worse. Our ups and downs have been minor compared to some of the life or death ups and downs that a lot of couples experience with their little ones along with constant monitoring, hospitalizations, bedrest, etc. I'm also very thankful for both the doctors that have been keeping a close eye on our baby. The high-risk doctor is a little over cautious I think, but I would much rather that, than him not call the cardiologist and something be really wrong.

God has been so good to us, and we feel very blessed.

Looking forward to meeting our little girl in TWELVE days!!!