Yep, you read that right, I saw an OB doctor yesterday and he measured my belly as 38 weeks; meaning I went from a 35 week belly to a 38 week belly in just 8 days! AHHH! AND only gained 1/2 pound - I am up to 20 and 1/2 pounds... Very strange if you ask me!
Aside from the belly measurement and listening to Baby Dean's heartbeat, which sounded fine - between 130-140 bpm (if I recall correctly, since I was totally shocked about the 38 week belly info), the doctor just talked with me briefly.
The doctor basically said I definitely need to see the maternal/fetal specialist before they will make any other decisions... They put in a referral, which will take 48 hours to go through, so I am praying that it will be in on Monday and the specialist will be able to see my by Friday (one week from today).
The doctor talked a bit about the possible causes of all of this fluid:
- gestational diabetes, but I passed that test very recently so they have no reason to think I have it
- birth defects, which they do not think Baby Dean has, since they have looked at him now 3 times and his initial anatomy scan looked normal
- no known reason, 60% - 65% of the cases have no known reason
- and finally he was the 3rd person to throw out the idea of us having TWINS! ya, I think that joke has long passed, but we shall soon find out I guess... LOL
The doctor also mentioned the risks associated with so much fluid:
- preterm labor
- if the baby was ever head down, and they decided to induce, the chances of him staying head down to deliver are slim (b/c he can roll around so much in the fluid) and the induction would likely turn into an emergency c-section
- my water breaking/going into labor could cause the cord to come out first and then Baby Dean's head could crimp the cord, thus cutting off his air supply
So, with just that little bit of information I am starting to more and more mentally prepare myself for a scheduled c-section - really doesn't sound like going into labor will do either of us any good... but of course we will wait to "see what the specialist" says. That was the doctor's phrase of choice yesterday...
I asked about starting the weekly non stress tests - the doctor said they usually don't start them until 32 or 34 weeks and I am only 31 weeks on Sunday... so maybe that will start in a week or so, after seeing the specialist.
I/We take comfort in knowing that if Baby Dean is born early, for whatever reason, after a stint in the NICU, he is likely to be fine! :-) WHOOP!
I will be doing my best, however, to keep him growing in-utero for as long as I can - praying my body doesn't know how big it is and decide to push him out sooner!
I am also grateful that I don't really feel like I have a 38 week pregnant belly; it is quite massive and gets in the way at times, but it is all I know, so keeping that "I feel good for the most part" mentality will hopefully carry us through the next (at least) 7 weeks! Since we really don't know anything for sure at this point, I somewhat fear I may not make it to 38 weeks, but I am now focused on one week at a time, which will take us to 38 weeks - technically a full term baby! :-)
Please pray for Baby Dean and my sake that we make it! :-) We can do this! :)
2 comments:
You, Baby Dean, and Nolan are all in my prayers!
I hope you are able to see the specialist soon.
You CAN do it! And I totally hear ya about taking it one week at a time. I literally take it ONE DAY at a time. Every night, as I climb into bed I thank God for one more day these little munchkins are nestled snugly inside.
We've had so many ups and downs already (I will be 12 weeks tomorrow), that I've realized if I tried to say, "Okay, my goal is to make it to at least 37 weeks with these babies," at this point I would lose my mind with worry and anxiety.
I will keep Baby Dean and Momma Dean in my prayers every day!
Love to all THREE of you!
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