3/3/14 - before the appointment while in the waiting room:
That feeling you get the moment you're told that something could be wrong with you baby.
He's not even born yet! Well due to my little uterus Dr. Garas ordered a growth scan for us last week to measure the amniotic fluid, uterus capacity and Oliver of course.
My uterus? Plenty of room. You never know how big it'll get until you put a baby in there. No uterus concerns whatsoever. Isn't it ironic?
So what's the problem?! I know I know get to it Jess. Let me say this first and I will restated it throughout this post... It may be nothing at all.
During the scan they do measurements of the femur, abdomen and skull. There are a few reasons for this. #1 it gives them an estimate of the baby's weight (Ollie is around 5.12 pounds which is perfect). It also allows the doctor to see where they fall on a growth chart. Oliver's femur and abdomen measurements fall within the 50th percentile. His head is in the 98th. It is unusual for the numbers to be so different. Ready for it? It may be nothing at all. Dr. Garas said that if all of Oliver was in the 98th then he'd just tell us that we're having a big baby and send us on our way but there are 2 variables that have caused him enough concern to have me see a specialist and start coming in bi-weekly for nst's and biophysicals. This Wednesday is the specialist appt in Orlando to ensure that all is A-okay. Mondays I'll go in for a biophysical + a non stress test (I'm actually in the waiting room now). Thursdays are just non stress tests which is when they'll hook my belly up to monitors and track contractions, and fetal heart rate for about 30-60 minutes. During the nst I'll also have a button to press when I feel him move.
So we've discussed variable 1. Ollie has a big head and an average body (it's like an orange on a toothpick).
Variable 2 is what got Chad and I nervous. Variable 2 had us go back for a 2nd scan after the 1st to re-check. That was alarming for sure. We brought our moms to the scan last week and luckily they were so chatty that they didn't notice what Chad and I noticed while the tech was doing her measurements. She took A LOT of time measuring his skull and one area in particular. Chad and I both felt seriousness in the room and of course the tech can't say anything so we had to wait. We hugged the moms and they left. Shortly after the same tech called us back to get another scan of the same area. I'd hate that job. Clearly she can't tell us why and obviously we know something's up. Thankfully we didn't have to wait long for Dr. Garas and that is nothing short of a miracle! Remember, it may be nothing at all.
Dr. Garas came in and got straight to the point. God bless him. He tells us about Oliver's head being big and then advised us about a concern over a tiny pocket of fluid in his skull. He had the 2nd scan to see if there was any blood flow to the area (this would indicate a tumor or a cyst). He ruled out anything scary like an AVM malformation, hydrocephalus, cyst and tumor which was a relief. The issue was that he didn't know. He's concerned b/c of head size plus the extra fluid. He says it's probably nothing but just to be sure he set us up with a specialist (we'll see them on Wednesday 3/5).
3/3/14 - after the appointment:
So the majority of all that was written prior to today's appointment. I considered deleting it b/c of how today went but I figure it's all part of the story so just let it ride.
We did the biophysical. During this time the baby has 30 minutes to meet certain expectations for muscle tone, reflex (opening and closing hands) and "practice breathing" (babies practice by inhaling amniotic fluid). A perfect score is 8/8. Oliver passed with a perfect 8/8! The tech explained the whole deal to me about the ventricles in the brain and what she suspects the concern is coming from. She said that first off, there is nothing there that shouldn't be. One ventricle is a little bigger than the other. She said his brain size is normal and his head size is large but still normal and that she wouldn't be concerned at all. Clearly she's my favorite tech. She used to work for the specialist we're seeing Wednesday.
After the ultrasound I had the non stress test (nst). They strap my belly up with 2 monitors and give me a button to push when I feel Ollie move then leave me alone for about 20-30 minutes. I videoed part of it b/c it was so interesting. It tracks his heartbeat while at rest, in motion and during contractions (which I had at least 4 during the test). He passed the nst also with flying colors.
Dr. Garas came in after all was said and done and said that both he and the tech agree that there is in fact nothing at all wrong. He has a slightly large ventricle and a big head. He said that though after today's test he doesn't think the specialist is necessary he knows that our pediatrician will want the info so we are still going on Wednesday.
Though both Chad and I felt like all just had to be well and have been really calm since the not so perfect visit last Thursday today was a big relief. Now I can get back to baby prepping without the extra tinge of dread hanging over me. It was hard to wash and fold all these teeny clothes from the baby shower and not think every once in a while "what if I never get to use this". Of course I'll be extra glad when Wednesdays visit is done with and we can get back to just work and Watson clinic visits 'til he arrives.
Speaking of arriving. I have had so many BH contractions today. Really intense ones! I had to stop what I was doing to lay down not too long ago. Oliver day is coming soon. Hopefully I can go another week and a half at least. I'd like to get to 37 weeks if at all possible. It's still early enough to have to leave him in the hospital after I'm discharged and I can't even fathom having to do that. Plus we haven't put the car seat base in so he's gotta hang on a little while longer.
That was probably a lot to read. I'll most likely post this up on the blog after Wednesdays appointment. I don't want to get too far ahead of the game here but I definitely wanted to get it typed out.
3/5/14 - before the specialist appt:
Waiting at Dr. Al-Malt's (OBGYN/FACOG) office. This is a fetal diagnostic center in Orlando. They are one exit from the fertility clinic (on Princeton). The waiting room is full some as pregnant as me some not even showing. Can't imagine knowing there's a problem really early on and having that sense of ick for so long before the baby comes. This is one of those moments where we know we are fortunate. This is a "just to be sure" appointment and most likely all is just fine. Trust me we'll be stoked when it's over and we have confirmation from the doctor but we feel like it's all fine. Especially after the last appointment.
It's a nice office. Hopefully we aren't hear for hours. Will update on the drive home.
3/5/14 - the drive home (2 hours later):
All is normal. Just a big noggin! When the doc came in the 1st thing he asked was what size hat Chad wears!!
Kids got some nice lips (like daddy's). They gave us a few 4d pics. His arm would not move out of the way but it was awesome to get 4d for free. Dr. Al-Malt is also from Egypt like Dr. Garas! He was great. Said the head is big and genetics are to blame. The brain is normal. The ventricle is big but still normal. We will have an MRI done next week just to play it super safe and follow up with him in 3 weeks to see if he thinks a vaginal birth is a possibility. While my hope and prayer is to deliver naturally I'll do whatever is necessary to ensure that Oliver gets here the absolute safest way possible.
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