August 2015 Moms

**Update** Thoughts and Prayers Please!

schup156schup156 member
edited June 2015 in August 2015 Moms
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.
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Re: **Update** Thoughts and Prayers Please!

  • I'm so sorry you're going through this! Lots of prayers to you. Easier said than done, but find something to switch your focus to when you start getting stressed. I hope you can sleep a little between now and Monday. And enjoy pics tomorrow and share some! Hugs!
    Need a good read? There's a new blogger in town... www.thepinningmama.com Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • That's a lot to process. Just take it one day at a time and I hope Monday comes swiftly for you. Many prayers for you and baby. Please keep us updated.
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  • Many thoughts and prayers to your family. I'm a nurse in a cardiac ICU for pediatrics and I can appreciate your concern. The fetal echo is the way to go right now and I'm glad you're being taken care of. After speaking with your specialists, you're welcome to pm me if you'd like to talk.
  • I am so sorry you are going through this! many thoughts and prayers for you and your LO. try to keep calm (easier said then done I know) and remember that babies are so resilient and fighters.. I hope you get an amazing high risk ob & all the support you need to make it through this. Please keep us updated
  • Praying for you and your LO!

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  • prayers for you and your baby
  • So sorry you have to go through this and not have a clear idea of what is going on or what's in store. Focus on the positive and enjoy your photo shoot tomorrow! Thoughts and prayers to you and your family

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  • Many TnP's! Try to enjoy your shoot. There is still a perfect little on inside of you :)

    ((Hugs))
        DS born 8-16-2013
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  • T&P, hope the specialist gives you some peace of mind
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  • T&P's! Enjoy your shoot. You and baby are in great hands.
  • Sending thoughts & prayers!!
  • Praying for you and your sweet baby!
  • I'm so sorry you are going through this! Sending prayers your way!
  • We will all be thinking of you this weekend! And especially on Monday. Enjoy your photo shoot and soon you will have some answers.
  • Thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep enjoying the moments that you can. I hope the weekend flies by!
  • Joie80Joie80 member
    I'm so sorry you're going through this. Thoughts and prayers for you and especially LO.
  • Thoughts and prayers for you, I hope the weekend goes by quickly.
  • My heart goes out to you. Try your best to enjoy the photo shoot. Remember to stay positive. Many prayers!
  • Thank you so much ladies!  I really appreciate all of you sending good thoughts our way.  I'm still feeling pretty numb right now, but tried to keep myself occupied with doing some projects for the nursery and cleaning.  I'm going to try and enjoy each minute of our photo shoot tomorrow and just keep praying.

    I will be sure to keep you guys updated when we have more answers.
  • Thoughts and prayers your way momma!!!
    Daisypath Anniversary tickers
  • Thoughts and prayers! Try to just enjoy your shoot and focus on that LO being active inside you..that is always still soothing!
  • Prayers for you and your LO. It must be so hard knowing you have to wait so long for answers but try to relax and stay as clam as you can until Monday.
  • You and that sweet baby are in my thoughts and prayers. May God show his mercy and love through the healing of your child!
  • Many thoughts and prayers for you and baby! Continue to distract yourself. Keep us updated.
  • I understand exactly how you feel.. and I'm so sorry you have to go through this. My DR saw an issue with LO's brain around my 20th week. They talked about neurosurgeons and learning disabilities, all I could do was bawl my eyes out. That first day I retained zero information due to the shock of it all, and of course the crying. After I had a chance to really talk to my DR a few days later, she explained everything to me in detail.. The odds of different outcomes, different procedures that were possible and what their action plan was. Just having that information made me feel better. Luckily, after multiple sono's and MRI's, the DR said that this "huge issue" ended up being something LO is growing out of. He's still being monitored, but chances of an issue now are almost zero.

    I know the "wait and see" is torture, but try not to worry about worst case scenarios and what if's right now.. you have this beautiful maternity shoot coming up to take your mind off of it. I really hope this weekend goes by fast so you can talk to your DR and get all of the facts and information you couldn't get the first time around. And after you talk to the DR, try to stay off of google.. those horror stories will in no way help you!!

    I'm praying that your LO is just fine!! Stay strong mom!
  • Sending tons and tons of thoughts and prayers right in your direction!
  • Lots of thoughts and prayers for you and baby!
  • Lots of prayers going up for your little one!
  • Prayers for you guys!
  • Sending prayers your way.
    imageimageimage
  • Sorryyouaregoingthrough this. Sending you T&P.

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  • amk013amk013 member
    Many T&Ps!
  • I am so sorry you are going through this. Your post took me right back to one I wrote last year. I remember the look on my midwife's face, the waiting, the tears, the fear. I am so sorry. But the great news is that you will be seeing a specialist who will be able to answer all of your questions and see with much greater accuracy what is going on. They have much better technology than a regular office and will have concrete answers for you. I will warn you they can come off as a bit cold but it's understandable given what they see every day. Just listen to the facts they are giving and find someone with more compassion to process with later. Please keep us updated on Monday. I will be praying for you and baby. And I hope you have an amazing time at your shoot today. This is a precious time with a precious little one in there!
    Trigger Warning (LC and loss) -- 
    Married May 2008 
    Beautiful daughter Alyssa born April 23, 2011 
    Precious son Isaac born at 34 weeks in April 27, 2014 with Potters Syndrome Type 4 and Down Syndrome - trusted into the arms of Jesus after 3 hours.
    Pregnant again! Due August 8, 2015 please be healthy, little one!

      (results on 2/4/15 showed no Down's and it's a girl!) Lilypie Maternity tickers
  • Sending many thoughts and prayers your way!
  • Thoughts and Prayers! I too have been thru this waiting process. Try and enjoy your shoot! Also the fetal echo is what will give you more answers, since you havent mentioned them finding any additional abnormalities, it may not be a life changing issue.

    @laylababe3 check your PM - my son may gave sonething similar, just curious.



  • Soo many tho
  • Praying for you and your baby. My son was born with a heart defect. He is almost 2 now and has had 2 surgeries, but he is an amazing little boy and I couldn't imagine life without him! Stay strong mama!
  • Many T&P your way. Enjoy your shoot and Monday will be here before you know it. Please keep us updated. Positive thoughts
  • I have posted an update at the beginning of the thread!
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