Here's the update from our appointments yesterday:
It was an incredibly long day, with the 2 hour drive to the clinic and then about 4-5 hours worth of appointments and another 2 hour drive home. (I'm so glad that we had someone to watch our 3-year old!)
We started off with an extended ultrasound that included a fetal echo and more detailed measurements of baby and fluid levels. This alone took about 2-3 hours. After having the doctors review the ultrasound images, the pediatric cardiologist came down to look at a few more things on the ultrasound and then (finally) discuss his findings. Baby has a defect on the foramen ovale, which is an opening that allows blood flow from the right atrium to the left atrium. There is restricted flow, about 40%, which is making the right side of the heart appear larger because it's stretching with the increased blood volume and the left side appears smaller because it's not getting as much blood. There was also some fluid around the bottom of the heart. Overall though, the cardiologist felt that the issues were minor at this point. The size difference wasn't substantial and although the fluid is concerning he said it's also not a substantial amount at this point and is most likely from the heart being a little stressed. The best news, was that this opening is only important to the baby while she's in utero, and serves no function after birth (it actually completely closes after birth). So that means no surgery after birth!
We then met with the high risk OB doctor to discuss the amniotic fluid levels. She said the fluids are low, but baby appears to have enough fluid because she's moving around like crazy and her growth measurements are right on track. They did note that her feet were a little swollen, but that it may be caused by the stress on the heart. They will need to continue to monitor everything. So that means weekly trips to the clinic (along with regular OB appts back home) to have ultrasounds and fetal echos done. If anything changes or the conditions appear to get worse they may decide to deliver baby early, but as of right now she's thriving in there so they want to hold off as long as possible. I will most likely schedule an induction in a few weeks for around 39 weeks so that I will deliver baby at the hospital where the specialists are located so they can closely monitor baby after she's born.
Overall, this information was a huge relief! While there are some issues, they seem very manageable compared to the other possibilities we could have found. I truly appreciate all of your thoughts, prayers, and words of encouragement over the long weekend. It's going to be a crazy few weeks for us, but I am feeling so blessed that her condition isn't more serious and to have heard the doctor say "your baby is growing and thriving"!
Original Post:
So I had an ultrasound today because at my appt on Wednesday the doc was concerned that I was measuring small. I wasn't too worried because I had the exact same experience with my first pregnancy. At the ultrasound baby seemed to be measuring fine and the tech mentioned that she was also going to check a few anatomy things because during my first ultrasound (at 20 weeks) they had trouble viewing some stuff because of the way baby was positioned. Halfway through she said I could pee and that she'd be back in a bit for the rest. After peeing my husband says "She sure spent a lot of time looking at the baby's heart, hope that doesn't mean anything." I reminded him that they didn't get great pictures of the heart and spine at 20 weeks so that's probably what she was doing. After an eternity she came back and we continued with the ultrasound. Well after my husband's comment I was watching a lot closer and noticed that she kept going back to look at the heart and take more pictures, but I tried not to let myself get worked up. After she was finished she had us go sit in the waiting room for awhile instead of just leaving (I had no other appts scheduled today) and that's when I started to get worried. She came back after 10 minutes and told me they wanted to see me upstairs in OB. And then all out panic set in.
As soon as the doctor came into the room I knew the news wouldn't be good. He went on to tell us that there were concerns with the baby's heart on the ultrasound. It appeared to have abnormal growth, some fluid around the heart, and the fluid around baby was decreased. At this point I was in complete tears and had absolutely no idea how to respond or process what he was telling me. I heard him vaguely mention words like surgery or intrauterine procedures and I just lost it. Unfortunately there are no specialists in our little town and it's of course a Friday afternoon, so now we have to wait until Monday to go down to a Children's hospital. We'll have to have an extended ultrasound with fetal echo and see both a pediatric cardiologist and high risk OB doc.
I'm really struggling to process this information. Especially because I feel like I just know so little about what's actually going on, and waiting until Monday feels like an eternity. I'm trying not to jump to conclusions and get myself worked up, but I'm feeling so lost. My husband is being amazing (as always) but I just don't know what to say. I'm the type of person that copes with stress by doing research and gathering facts, but I have so little to go on right now.
My maternity photo shoot is tomorrow morning and I'm trying to keep focused on how excited I am for it, the movement I keep feeling from little one, and the sweet hugs of concern from my toddler. Any thoughts and prayers you guys could send my way would be greatly appreciated.
Re: **Update** Thoughts and Prayers Please!
((Hugs))
@laylababe3 check your PM - my son may gave sonething similar, just curious.
Make a pregnancy ticker