Sorry to hear that your fun moment took a more serious turn but sending thoughts and prayers that it is a non-issue and you have a perfectly health and happy baby.
Thank you guys for all the support. So far we're pretty much where we were. I did some research and a lot of babies with this condition resolve it before they're born, but since it only hits 1/1000 and only male children there's not a huge amount of information to go on. Right now we're trying to stay calm and handle things one step at a time. The specialist called and couldn't get us in for a month which my ob/gyn and I both found unacceptable so she's calling around to get us worked in more quickly. In the meantime, I'm on anti-anxiety meds and he's playing a lot of Minecraft.
I'm praying this condition corrects itself before your LO is born. I'm sorry you're going through this and I hope you can get in to see the specialist soon and get some answers.
Hugs to you, mama. These waiting days can be so scary. I try to remind myself that the baby's parts are all so very small, and even with great technology, it is so hard for doctors to know exactly what's going on in there. Good that they're on it and watching it. Sending prayers that it ends up being fine.
Thank you guys for all the support. So far we're pretty much where we were. I did some research and a lot of babies with this condition resolve it before they're born, but since it only hits 1/1000 and only male children there's not a huge amount of information to go on. Right now we're trying to stay calm and handle things one step at a time. The specialist called and couldn't get us in for a month which my ob/gyn and I both found unacceptable so she's calling around to get us worked in more quickly. In the meantime, I'm on anti-anxiety meds and he's playing a lot of Minecraft.
Maybe join him on Minecraft. I found its a ton of fun to build something silly then blow it up with TNT. I hope all goes well.
Hello friends. We were seen by the specialist today, which was a fun adventure. He's about an hour from where we live so I had plenty of time to get nervous in the car. The short version is the baby's brain is fine, developing perfectly and everything is on course. But ventriculomegly only has two causes: Brain damage or obstruction. We were able to rule out internal bleeding, large tumors, and about 10 other things, it's all kind of a blur. The doctor suspects it may be an infection which I'm sure is a good thing but seriously, what expecting mom wants to hear she gave her unborn child an infection. They are testing me for toxoplasmosis and doing a second level genetics test. The ventricle is measuring a hair over 12 mm. Up to 10mm is normal, 11-12 is mild, 13-15 is moderate, anything over 15 is severe. They offered us an MRI and an amnio, but we passed on both. I'm too far into the pregnancy to learn much from the amnio, and the MRI would be inconclusive unless we somehow managed to hold the baby's head in one place for the duration of it (this kid has never, ever stopped moving). The doctor seemed fairly confident this would all clear up but the baby is going to need testing when he's born and will most likely end up in the NICU for a while. It's all mostly good news but nothing felt very good about it. Now I'm going to take a hundred hour nap.
@heathersaysso thanks for the update. I know it doesn't feel like good news but at least it's not the worst news! Sending prayers up for you and your LO. ❤️
I'm glad you received more information and quickly too. I can only imagine how exhausting and emotionally draining your day was. It sounds like there is somewhat of a good outlook. I will continue to keep you in my prayers! Lots and lots of hugs!
I too am glad to hear that things are better than previously thought but will continue to pray that the news keeps getting better. Just remember if it is an infection, that this is in no way your fault. You are a WONDERFUL mother who has been nurturing this baby with your body. Your love and care will be enough and have proven just how much this baby means to you. I am encouraged that the measurement is on the lower end of the scale. Medicine is making huge strides and children are very resilient. Thinking of you. *hugs*
@heathersaysso - thank you for the update! I know all too well what you are feeling and just want to let you know I'm here if you need to talk! It was confirmed when baby was about 21 weeks that I gave him a virus that almost killed him (another couple of days and we would have lost him!). It was several weeks of appointments that were "good news" but just not quite what we wanted/needed to hear and I know that pain and stress all too well.
I I hope that you're able to find comfort in the doctor's optimism as I would hope doctors know not to give false hope. I also hope you're able to find some peace in the unknowns, even though I know that is much easier said than done.
One one of my best friends had a similar issue with her daughter. They learned that she had an enlarged ventricle, and there was no way of knowing just how bad it was until she was born. It was a terrible few months of worry! She arrived perfectly healthy, and only stayed in the NICU a week for antibiotics due to an infection my friend had during labor.
More updates, the specialist called with my results. I tested negative for all infections which means that's not what's causing the enlargement. It also means whatever it is falls under "unknown obstruction". The good news is we've ruled another thing out, the bad news is it's looking more and more like he'll be having brain surgery the day he's born and spending a few days/weeks/months in NICU. Then again there's a good chance this is all just some weird developmental anomalies and this is just his first big prank on momma. Right now we're trying to focus on the fact that it's NOT brain damage or lack of brain development. All we have to do is find the obstruction and fix it and he's going to get to be a normal kid.
Hey friends! You guys were so supportive during this rough patch that I wanted to give you my newest update: I just got home from the prenatal neurologist. We spent about an hour doing scans and I was starting to freak out a little when he took me to his office. Apparently Seth's ventrical has shrunk from a worrisome 12.5 mm down to 7-10 mm which is 100% normal! He has no excessive fluid or swelling and you can't tell there was ever anything wrong! The doctor was shocked, which is why he kept comparing today with last month's measurements. As of now, we are cleared for normal delivery, he's head down and ready to go, and at 34 weeks is measuring 5 lbs 6 ou. Thank you all so much for being there for me. This was fucking scary, but probably a fair introduction to motherhood.
Oh my god! What a turn of events!! I can only imagine how relieved you must be. But seriously, that kid needs a serious talking to once he's on the outside. So not a funny joke for his poor mom and dad!! Congrats on this amazing news!!
Yay!!! This is amazing news! I cannot imagine what you have been going through but I am so pleased your little man is back on track. Now, you get to actually enjoy the rest of your pregnancy. Great news mama!
Re: Could use some good thoughts.
sending you and your family lots of prayers and thoughts!
That wait time is definitely absurd and unacceptable, glad your dr agrees. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and sending prayers.
Maybe join him on Minecraft. I found its a ton of fun to build something silly then blow it up with TNT. I hope all goes well.
We were seen by the specialist today, which was a fun adventure. He's about an hour from where we live so I had plenty of time to get nervous in the car.
The short version is the baby's brain is fine, developing perfectly and everything is on course. But ventriculomegly only has two causes: Brain damage or obstruction. We were able to rule out internal bleeding, large tumors, and about 10 other things, it's all kind of a blur. The doctor suspects it may be an infection which I'm sure is a good thing but seriously, what expecting mom wants to hear she gave her unborn child an infection. They are testing me for toxoplasmosis and doing a second level genetics test. The ventricle is measuring a hair over 12 mm. Up to 10mm is normal, 11-12 is mild, 13-15 is moderate, anything over 15 is severe. They offered us an MRI and an amnio, but we passed on both. I'm too far into the pregnancy to learn much from the amnio, and the MRI would be inconclusive unless we somehow managed to hold the baby's head in one place for the duration of it (this kid has never, ever stopped moving).
The doctor seemed fairly confident this would all clear up but the baby is going to need testing when he's born and will most likely end up in the NICU for a while. It's all mostly good news but nothing felt very good about it. Now I'm going to take a hundred hour nap.
I I hope that you're able to find comfort in the doctor's optimism as I would hope doctors know not to give false hope. I also hope you're able to find some peace in the unknowns, even though I know that is much easier said than done.
Thinkibg of of you and your LO!
Hopefully you continue to get good news!
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I just got home from the prenatal neurologist. We spent about an hour doing scans and I was starting to freak out a little when he took me to his office. Apparently Seth's ventrical has shrunk from a worrisome 12.5 mm down to 7-10 mm which is 100% normal! He has no excessive fluid or swelling and you can't tell there was ever anything wrong! The doctor was shocked, which is why he kept comparing today with last month's measurements. As of now, we are cleared for normal delivery, he's head down and ready to go, and at 34 weeks is measuring 5 lbs 6 ou. Thank you all so much for being there for me. This was fucking scary, but probably a fair introduction to motherhood.