#anhydramnios

[elpoopacabra]

33 Weeks...

I don't think I remembered to update on here the other day, so I might as well do it now. 

I took babychips with me to my ultrasound on Wednesday. Usually I dread these things, but with her with me, it wasn't so scary. Anyway, the NST was a bit bumpy, but only because Scarlett was moving around too much! It was the good kind of problem to have. It was a bit hard to keep a steady reading on her, but that didn't seem to bother Dr. P too much.

Then it was time for the ultrasound, and I was so happy we had my favorite U/S tech, Amber. She's the lead there, and is always very honest, but in a positive way. We chatted, and then when she came back, she brought Dr. P in with her, which almost made me pee my pants, because I only usually see him if something is wrong, or if they're going to admit me.  However, this was a good visit! It turns out he just wanted to stop by and say hi, and to let me know he was happy with how her vitals had been lately. He thanked me to staying tough and doing my part, and said he was happy we were still chugging along. He has been working very hard to keep her in there as long as possible. I remember when they admitted me in early November at 26 weeks, he really fought to keep her in there. We were talking about it today, and he admitted that if we had been forced to deliver her then, she would have had practically no chance of survival. He is much more optimistic about her chances now.  The best piece of news though, other than that her breathing looked good on the monitor, was that he thinks we might be able to go 39 weeks! I am elated! Though he can't guarantee anything, if her vitals stay this way and nothing unexpected causes us to believe otherwise, she might have a great chance of going full term, and hopefully having lungs that are able to function! Now, it's just a hope of ours, but seems much more likely of becoming a reality than it was just a few nightmarish weeks ago.

Anyway, that's what's going on. Dr. P doesn't need to see me until next week, so I get a little reprieve. I'm really hoping we get to 39 weeks, and most of all, that her little lungs are working.

[elpoopacabra]

We're 32 weeks pregnant today...

and I didn't get admitted to the hospital!

Her ultrasounds were good (with the exception of her enlarged heart, which leaves me a nervous wreck that her lungs aren't developed at all), and her dopplers were strong.

We had the NST testing. She failed the first time taking it, but did much better the second time.

Also, I've been a bit emotional today. I was hit with some bad news when my specialist reconfirmed how bad Scarlett's odds are. However, I became a little hopeful when my U/S lady told me that a lady given the exact same prognosis as me gave birth last month at 33 weeks to a little girl who just went home from the NICU last week, and is doing very well.

I know it's a rarity those things happen, but it gives me so much hope!

Anyway, I go back on Friday for my next round of NST testing, as well as seeing my GOOD OB on Thursday.

Wish me luck, and thanks for reading!

[elpoopacabra]

Okay, went to see my specialist today.

While he was too backed up to get to come talk to me personally, I did talk to the nurses there (whom also deal with high risk patients) and told them about the situation. They were not only horrified that the OB had said that, they were also pretty confident that Scarlett was in good hands being that I go to the doc 2 to 3 times a week.

They also suggested that perhaps my doctor was speaking out of turn not only in terms of patient etiquette, but that most people with anhydramnios not only usually have to terminate or lose their pregnancies by week 23, but the ones that do make it past that end up having to give birth at between 24 and 28 weeks, which is pretty early, even for a totally normal, healthy baby, and that they just rarely get babies that make it into the 30+ week marker.

So, while reminding me that death is always a big possibility in our case, so is life. That's all I needed to hear. I don't need false hope, but I do need hope. Scaring me has done nothing but make me sick with worry, and unable to function as I normally do.

I'm also happy to say that my ultrasound today went well, and they sent me home. So, the next time I come in and see them, I'll be 32 weeks along, which is a much better option than we thought we'd have 11 weeks ago. 

Okay, that's all I have to update for now. I start NST testing next week, so we can monitor her fetal movements and heart rate. I still have my fingers crossed we make it to 34 weeks! 

Thanks for listening, people. Here is your weekly present: 

An awesome gif:

[elpoopacabra]

So, my day began with me going to my 30 week OB check up, and then being told that I should start making funeral arrangements for my unborn child, because she's probably not going to survive outside the womb due to undeveloped lungs from Anhydramnios.

How was your day?