11/7- 11/13 Apps, u/s, bw etc.

mrskimm09

How was everyones weekend? 


Whats on the books this week? 

Baby shower this weekend went amazing. We have an appointment on Wednesday and the hospital tour on Thursday. The hospital we are going to completely redid the maternity section. Its even in a new wing so we are curious and want to check it out. 

aishmc

@mrskimm09 glad your shower was good!

I've got an OB appt on Tuesday evening followed by Newborn Care class. I'm excited because my husband will finally meet my primary OB! I can usually only see her in the morning when he's at work, but he's met her associates at other appts. 

TinaBelcher

Tuesday starts the real twin craziness! I have a standard weekly OB check in the morning, then I head to fetal imaging at the hospital for a biophysical profile, then upstairs to L&D for an NST. Lonnnng day! I had to take the whole day off of work. Then Friday afternoon it's back to L&D for another NST, and start the whole thing over again next Tuesday. 

christac1010

I have an appointment with my OB this afternoon to do another FFN swab (to see if labor is imminent in the next two weeks). He'll also check if I've dilated at all since our last appointment. Plus I need to get all my disability paperwork in order because not getting paid isn't cool. 

Tomorrow morning we have an ultrasound to check the baby and my cervical length. LO's kidneys were within the appropriate range when we were admitted to the hospital, so this is more to check on his growth and fluid levels. Too bad his head is so far down we can't see his little face anymore!

nolemomma14

I have an appt Thursday morning, just a lab appointment though. They want to run some additional tests since my iron was pretty low. They had me add in an iron supplement twice a day so hopefully that fixes everything! 

LastMango

MFM appt NOW to check cervical length and OB appt tomorrow.

Super nervous..... 

LoneStar21416

NSTs on Tuesday and Thursday of this week. I think we'll also be doing an ultrasound for fluid levels on one of those days. My tests last week went well. No contractions and baby looked great on the monitor. Regular OB appt was non-eventful. Still measuring on track despite the fact that I am not gaining weight. 

Good luck @LastMango and @christac1010 I feel for you! Are you still contracting @christac1010 or has it calmed down?

christac1010

@LoneStar21416 I am still contracting. The more I lay down, the less they happen. I was bad this weekend though and I had my baby shower where I was up (my mom and DH kept yelling at me to sit down). I contracted a lot that night and I was sore yesterday. Hopefully there won't be too much change though. I promised to be good and stay sitting/laying down now! 

Ashleybrandon1990

I had an NST and Biophysical this morning, and I go again on Thursday for the same thing. Little man dropped off the growth charts and hasn't been cooperating. I'm excited that I have my sprinkle this weekend though 

Becid24

Had my 31wk appt today. Baby is 4.1lb and measuring st 32w4d. He is definitely going fast now.  I go back in 2 weeks unless I need something before then.

litzi-2

@christac1010 good luck, hopefully the ffn is negative! i keep wondering if i should ask my ob to do one, even though i know it won't change management at all. a negative would just be reassuring in my mind. 

@LastMango hope everything went well! i almost wish my mfm would measure my cervix, but they said it doesn't matter when it gets passed 28 weeks? its so odd how different OBs do completely different things.

LoneStar21416

@litzi mine sort of said the same thing. There's nothing they would do differently for me based on the cervix shortening even more or a positive FFN. If I asked them to do it, they would, but I almost just don't even want anything up there at this point given that my cervix is friable. I think lastmango is waiting to find out if she needs the steroids based on her cervical length, so that could be a reason for a recheck. For me, I had other concerning symptoms (that have thankfully not resurfaced and hopefully won't) that made them give me the shots already. 

I also think after 28 weeks it's hard to tell how short is too short and what it means for outcomes. Some people with "shorter" cervixes go on to deliver full term. I think the predictive value of the length of the cervix is more meaningful around 20-24 weeks. Mine was not where they expected it to be at all at 30 weeks, but it's also hard to tell how much of that is just a natural progression toward labor since women do not typically get cervical checks after the anatomy scan. We also don't know if it will continue to shorten prematurely or how quickly it shortened from what it was at 20 weeks. Without benchmarks, it's really not that meaningful, but is a red flag for potential premature labor. It sucks to feel in the dark. I'm trying to practice gratitude for each day and keep my mind off of it.

litzi-2

@LoneStar21416 that makes sense. i already got the steroid shots at 24 weeks, too. I'm with you on the gratitude. I write something i'm grateful for daily on my "baby stuff" evernote (right below the section for the medical bills i just realized, lol). I also have countdowns on my phone for each two week mark (28, 30, 32, etc). I wouldn't wish these complications on anyone but I'm glad you guys are here to share with

emtimme

Good luck to all you ladies--hope everyone manages to hang in there a while longer yet!

As always, I have a question. I got a kind of weird call from my doctor's office this afternoon giving me an authorization code to schedule an anatomy scan/genetic screening with the specialist I saw at 13ish weeks for my NT scan/genetic blood work. All those results were good. I had also been scheduled with him for my 20 week anatomy scan, which wound up being denied by my insurance because they determined my regular OB could perform it. That's a whole other can of worms but, to cut a long story short, I did end up getting a quick (I'm talking 10-15 minute) anatomy scan with him at 22 weeks but he said he couldn't get many measurements. I switched doctors immediately after that. 

I've never heard of an anatomy scan or any kind of genetic screening at 30 weeks. Do you ladies think it's just because my new doctor doesn't have the kinds of details she needs due to my last OB's ineptitude? Or is a follow-up to ensure baby is still developing properly fairly routine? I don't feel like I have any reason to worry, but the whole thing is a bit strange and the office gave me no details. The specialist's office was also really confused when I called and made the appointment--they can't even tell me for sure that it'll be approved. 

Thanks for any insight!

Ashleybrandon1990

@emtimme it sounds like it may have been because of you not getting a proper anatomy scan, but I would call your OB and see if maybe they can at least give you a little insight on why they scheduled it. 

LastMango

Good news! My cervix hasn't shortened since my last check so no steroid shots today. I'm done with the MFM now although early labor is still a lingering possibility. 

@Litzi I asked my MFM about an FFN test and he said they were basically pointless and are close to being done away with because they don't really change the course of treatment. As far as measuring cervix length, they are done measuring me for the same reason. Basically, it is what it is and there's nothing they can do this far along to stop it from shortening so why keep checking? 

@christac1010 I hope your contractions simmer down. 

@LoneStar21416 Everything you said is spot on with what I've been told. And ditto that it sucks that basically we are in the dark and this is all some torturous waiting game. Could go to term, could deliver tomorrow.......greeeaat.

litzi-2

@LastMango great news! it would be absolutely amazing to make it to term. i was told 50% change of making it to 28 weeks and 34 weeks would be a "best case." every time i go in and we talk about next appointments or ultrasounds (growth) they like to add in "if you make it that far." i think i'll need a new clinic next pregnancy.

christac1010

@LastMango That's awesome news!

I had my OB appointment today. From his exam, he said my cervix is closed and I'm not leaking any amniotic fluid (the swab was negative). I don't know the results of the FFN swab yet but it's less important with the other two aspects being good. I told the OB I'm still contracting a lot (no less than one per hour) but he said that could be my new normal. So that's cool. I'm still on bedrest. The contractions really pick up when I'm up moving so I have to keep laying low. But again, I could go 2 more weeks or 8 more weeks. Who knows. I get my cervix measured tomorrow for comparison to the day I was admitted to the hospital. Otherwise my OB said there's a huge range it could fall in so its more important to look at the comparison. 

I think we can all relate to this meme. Good luck ladies!  

KarliQ88

I had my 32week appointment yesterday. Baby has a strong heart beat and he FLIPPED! Yaaay. He is head down which explains alot of the changes in movement i feel but still very active. I'm measuring small. She wants me about 30-32 and I'm measuring 28. I've only gained 11lbs this entire pregnancy. She thinks it's nothing and isn't too concerned but i am getting sent for a growth scan/ultrasound this morning. So I'm really really nervous but excited to see my baby :-)
We just need to make sure there isn't any growth restrictions. She is confident everything is ok so I'm going with that. I'm pretty small framed/petite so i could just be carrying differently but it leaves less room for baby to grow but HOPEFULLY doesn't restrict. My baby is probably just a little peanut :-)
I'll post back later with any updates from my growth scan. Good luck to everyone else. 

christac1010

We had our ultrasound today and he was such a little stinker. He's head down (and super low) and facing my back so there was absolutely no way to see his little face. The tech showed us his hair on the ultrasound though! He looks like he has a good amount and I can't wait to see what color/texture it is when he's born! He's measuring right on track for 32 weeks and weighs 4lbs. His kidneys are also within the acceptable range now. Hopefully he just stays put and keeps getting chubby! 

LastMango

Great news @christac1010!

LoneStar21416

Great NST for me today. Baby looked "awesome" and passed within 13 minutes. No contractions picked up on the monitor. There might have been one or two pockets of irritability, but no one is concerned about it because baby did great the whole time. Fluid levels looked good and added bonus is that baby is head down. Now stay put!!!

LastMango

@LoneStar21416 Woop woop! Great news! And yes, all these babes need to stay put!

TinaBelcher

So round 1 of cramming all the appointments into one day went well for the most part! At my OB I saw a doctor that I haven't seen since first tri and I think he didn't even glance at my chart before walking in because he said something about 38 weeks ummm... nope! These girls will be out 36+6 per MFM's orders, thanks for making me not really trust you though dude... 

BPP went fine, both girls are practice breathing and B moved like a maniac like always. A didn't move much and the tech ALMOST failed her but she got that last movement in in time, then I grabbed a bite to eat at the market in the lobby, headed up for the NST and B was totally cooperating but A wouldn't stop moving and pushing away from the monitor ::eyeroll:: 

Super glad to read all of the good news above! FX for nice long cervixes, cozy babes, fluid staying put and keeping all of our babies in a while longer!! 

KarliQ88

Ok. Back with the update!
It was confirmed via US that baby has flipped and is head down! ( sometime between 30 and 32 weeks it happened). Despite me being small and putting on minimal weight baby is doing well. He is in 40th percentile, so normal but might be a little peanut :-)

Also what else was interesting was if anyone remembers i was diagnosed with GD around 28 weeks. My blood sugar after the drink was so high i just skipped the 3 hour. It was i think 221 or something. My doctor talked to me about it again today after weeks of taking blood sugars. Every single blood sugar has been normal and perfect. I even told her I'm not really restricting carbs that much because they have been so normal...even after eating more carbs than I'm allowed. She questioned if the test was wrong and if we should do it again. We both decided not to do it again because 1. It's kinda late at this point to make a difference and 2. What is the worst it is doing other than making me eat healthier? I told her this GD diagnoses has only made me more conscious of what I'm eating and the choices i do make are healthier. Obviously my blood sugars have been great because baby isn't very big. So...we are sticking with the diagnosis but ii only need to check my sugars twice a day and once a week do a morning fasting. Diabetic educator signed off on me. 

We did our birth plan. I felt like i got a lot of judgement from the nurse when i told her i plan to formula feed. Anyone else planning this? I feel like I'm made out to be a terrible mom for making this choice...it's what others have me thinking

nolemomma14

@KarliQ88 I plan on breastfeeding, but please don't let anyone make you feel bad about formula feeding! At the end of the day, all that matters is that your baby is eating and growing. 

Glad to hear everything else went well with your appointment and that baby is head down and growing well!

KarliQ88

@nolemomma14 thank you. What's important is he will be fed! I promise :-)

MamaandNurse

We did our birth plan. I felt like i got a lot of judgement from the nurse when i told her i plan to formula feed. Anyone else planning this? I feel like I'm made out to be a terrible mom for making this choice...it's what others have me thinking

Shame on that nurse. And shame on anyone else that makes you feel that way. There is nothing wrong with planning on formula feeding. You are not a bad mom. As long as the baby is being fed, you're doing the right thing.

Ashleybrandon1990

@KarliQ88 I plan on bottle feeding this time.  With DS1 he came at 31 weeks and I was pressured by the nurses and lactation consultants to breast feed and pump.  I had such a hard time and wasn't producing much at all, and between the stress from my son in the NICU and pumping I started to get depressed.  I plan on telling them how I feel when they ask this time, and hope that I don't feel judged, but I feel the same way, as long as he's being fed then that's all that matters. Don't feel bad for making this choice. 

KarliQ88

Thank you both. I'm starting to get hormonal and emotional. Your kind words of encouragement made me shed a tear as i literally feel my husband is the only person who is supportive of this decision. 

Teach123

Don't let them make you feel bad. I'm a working mom and will have to go back to work after 8 weeks. My son will be on formula from that point on. I could put him on before though, depending on if I produce milk this time. I didn't ever get a supply established with my last, and had to quit at 3 weeks old and supplemented from about a week on. 

KarliQ88

Teach123 said:

Don't let them make you feel bad. I'm a working mom and will have to go back to work after 8 weeks. My son will be on formula from that point on. I could put him on before though, depending on if I produce milk this time. I didn't ever get a supply established with my last, and had to quit at 3 weeks old and supplemented from about a week on. 

I'm a working mom too. Im going back after 12 weeks on night shifts/part time. It will be important he is on formula at that point so my husband can participate in feedings. I want my son to take a bottle from him and me...not prefer one over the other. 

kashock-2

I had my 28 week appt on Wednesday with the one- hour glucose test and no phone call yet. Keeping my fingers crossed! I did not pass it with my first pregnancy. 

momma6angels11

I had my 31 week appt on the 7th . i had a growth scan and he was 3lbs and 6 ozs at 37 percentile . . i go back starting the 14th every week for a nst ..