this computer is being a douche nugget and I can hardly get on to do anything so hopefully that'll change soon and I'll be able to update when I get "real" news.
Showing posts with label pregnancy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pregnancy. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
quickest of updates
Monday's BPP went fine. I go back tomorrow for a regular appointment.
this computer is being a douche nugget and I can hardly get on to do anything so hopefully that'll change soon and I'll be able to update when I get "real" news.
this computer is being a douche nugget and I can hardly get on to do anything so hopefully that'll change soon and I'll be able to update when I get "real" news.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
I still have an inside baby
Bugs lungs were not even close to ready. I'm sad that her lungs aren't ready yet, but I'm glad she gets more time to cook (b/c that's what she needs). I'm very ok with her still being inside.
The amnio was not pleasant. It was decided that the best spot was way up at the top of my stomach/uterus to get a sample, BUT the placenta is in the way, so the needle had to go through it. The needle going in wasn't bad, but Norah decided to try and kick the needle, so for 10 minutes there was a whole lotta pushing and rubbing and bouncing trying to get her to move her leg away from the needle. We got a very, very small (maybe.75cc) and bloody sample so they needed to try and get fluid from another spot. Near her face. The needle didn't hurt and we were able to get a large enough sample for the test within a minutes time.
I was supposed to hang out in L&D for a quick NST, but someone didn't want to do what she's supposed to do. A 20 minute NST lasted... and lasted... and lasted... and around the 90 minute mark, I got the results from the amnio (much sooner than expected), but Norah still wasn't reacting as she should have been. An hour after that, I got the news that the blood in the sample was fetal blood so I'd have to be monitored until Thursday night to determine if she was losing blood. I was sprung around 8:30 (a half hour earlier than I was told was the earliest I'd leave - WOOT!!), and Norah had been looking great on the monitor at that point for over 6 hours.
I'm really glad we didn't HAVE to get her out. I'd have loved to meet her and hold her, but, even more than that, I love that she's inside and her lungs are still developing.
And there's the update.
BPP Monday morning and regular appointment on Wednesday. She'll be here within the next 16 days - YIKES!
The amnio was not pleasant. It was decided that the best spot was way up at the top of my stomach/uterus to get a sample, BUT the placenta is in the way, so the needle had to go through it. The needle going in wasn't bad, but Norah decided to try and kick the needle, so for 10 minutes there was a whole lotta pushing and rubbing and bouncing trying to get her to move her leg away from the needle. We got a very, very small (maybe.75cc) and bloody sample so they needed to try and get fluid from another spot. Near her face. The needle didn't hurt and we were able to get a large enough sample for the test within a minutes time.
I was supposed to hang out in L&D for a quick NST, but someone didn't want to do what she's supposed to do. A 20 minute NST lasted... and lasted... and lasted... and around the 90 minute mark, I got the results from the amnio (much sooner than expected), but Norah still wasn't reacting as she should have been. An hour after that, I got the news that the blood in the sample was fetal blood so I'd have to be monitored until Thursday night to determine if she was losing blood. I was sprung around 8:30 (a half hour earlier than I was told was the earliest I'd leave - WOOT!!), and Norah had been looking great on the monitor at that point for over 6 hours.
I'm really glad we didn't HAVE to get her out. I'd have loved to meet her and hold her, but, even more than that, I love that she's inside and her lungs are still developing.
And there's the update.
BPP Monday morning and regular appointment on Wednesday. She'll be here within the next 16 days - YIKES!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
ummm
It's 6:30am. In about an hour/hour and a half, I'm going to go have an amnio to check Norah-bugs lungs and possibly start an induction if she's ready.
wow.
just, wow.
I want her to be happy and healthy and safe and if this is what it takes, then so be it. She looks good on the ultrasounds, but it will be easier and more accurate to monitor her on the outside.
I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. More nervous I think. I've never been away from Belly longer than over night and even then, I was only 10 minutes away. I don't know how long I could be gone. I don't think I'll get to see her at all today unless she decides to wake up really early, but the past 2 days she's slept until after 8:30 so I'm not holding my breath.
so that's that.
here's hoping all goes smoothly.
wow.
just, wow.
I want her to be happy and healthy and safe and if this is what it takes, then so be it. She looks good on the ultrasounds, but it will be easier and more accurate to monitor her on the outside.
I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. More nervous I think. I've never been away from Belly longer than over night and even then, I was only 10 minutes away. I don't know how long I could be gone. I don't think I'll get to see her at all today unless she decides to wake up really early, but the past 2 days she's slept until after 8:30 so I'm not holding my breath.
so that's that.
here's hoping all goes smoothly.
Friday, October 29, 2010
a late update
Norah-Bug is still cooking :)
Next week we'll estimate her weight and discuss how she'll arrive.
Her room is painted, mostly, just some touch up on the trim & putting the mouldings up left. Hopefully I can get her crib and dresser together before the end of next week.
Jordy has her last swim lesson tomorrow. I'm going to miss bringing her swimming with kids her age, but at least we have the membership and can bring her to open swims. We bought her big-girl mattress and she'll probably start trying it out this weekend or next week.
Not much of an update, but there isn't much going on right now.
Next week we'll estimate her weight and discuss how she'll arrive.
Her room is painted, mostly, just some touch up on the trim & putting the mouldings up left. Hopefully I can get her crib and dresser together before the end of next week.
Jordy has her last swim lesson tomorrow. I'm going to miss bringing her swimming with kids her age, but at least we have the membership and can bring her to open swims. We bought her big-girl mattress and she'll probably start trying it out this weekend or next week.
Not much of an update, but there isn't much going on right now.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
marathon appointment day... wasn't so bad after all
I did black out during the fetal echo, so that was embarrassing, but that means Norah is big enough to put enough pressure on my blood vessels to make me pass out and that makes me happy.
1st appointment went well. I got a little annoyed going over my history, again, but it is what it is. I'm liking Dr. D more each time I meet with her and am feeling like she's listening to me and my concerns. She said she read over the dictation from Jordan's delivery and based on that, she's till leaning toward a c/s. I'm still leaning toward a vaginal delivery. I get that there is an increased risk of Norah getting stuck like Jordan did (upwards of 25% according to Dr. D, but my research says it's closer to <10%) and there's a risk of nerve damage (about 5% of the above risk of Erb's Palsy), but I don't want to jump on the operating table for a small risk if delivering vaginally is better for her. If I'm told that a c/s is the best and safest way for her to enter the world -- sign me up. As it stands now, if I go into labor within the next 3 week, I'll deliver vaginally, but I'll have another growth u/s in about 2 weeks and we'll discuss a c/s then.
B/c my appointment ran long, my nst was canceled (boo hoo hoo), but I still had the bpp scheduled at 1, so at least we got a break for lunch.
bpp at 1 went fine. She was moving and practice breathing and has plenty of fluid. The u/s tech was able to get me in with the cardiac tech early for my fetal echo so that was nice.
Fetal echo went very well. Well, except for the whole blacking out thing, but whatever. Her condition seems to be holding steady. There was no increased leakiness of the valves, organs are still where they're supposed to be (mostly) and she's growing.
The NICU consult is where today really shined. We were nervous about it b/c of our experience at WIH. I don't want my kid to need a NICU, but I'm happy about the one she'll be going to. They're very family centered, with toys in the waiting/family room, a small library to learn about a lot of the conditions/complications that caused your child to end up there, and - my most favorite part - parents are encouraged to attend rounds. You aren't banished off the ward. You're actually there, listening and learning about your child and, if need be, offering input as to what you think your baby needs. The pods were so serene, even with the monitors and visitors, and we never experienced anything like that at WIH. It always felt like chaos, a slightly controlled chaos, but chaos none the less.
At WIH (in our experience), the drs/nurses didn't care what the parents said, they didn't want parents to access their child's records (it HAD TO BE word of mouth - there were no charts for us to read), and getting information was like pulling teeth. They made us feel bad about everything from not delivering there to the fact that they ALWAYS called the wrong number when trying to reach us and, oh yeah, it was our fault when Jordy's nurse went on break and her covering nurse refused to update us on our child's condition. Our experience there sucked. Sucked big, hairy goat balls.
And... and... and...
If Norah is as "healthy" as we're predicting (everything can change once she's on the outside breathing air and her heart is working without the help of the umbilicus)... she could be in the NICU as little as 12-24 hours. I totally side-eyed the neonatalogist at that point, but he went on to explain that a baby presenting as she is, born at term, that shows no signs of bowel damage after her first feed, would only need to be observed long enough to get a cardiac consult in before they'd move her to either the special care unit or the general nursery. Granted, she could be there a lot longer, and I'm not getting my hopes up of her having a 12 hr stay, but it was really nice to hear that there's a plan, already in place, for her to be released from the NICU. We never had that with Jordan.
Oh, and if she does as well as predicted, and I do have a c/s - she'd most likely be released from the hospital before I would be. I didn't even know what to say to that! She would/could stay in the general nursery until my release, but technically, if he wanted to, Nick could take her home and leave me there to recover.
So there's todays update. I'm still so in shock over the NICU consult. I'm so excited that we know what has to happen for her to come home and that there's no reason to think she'll need a ventilator or special equipment or anything in order to come home. Down the line, she'll need to be medicated in order to help her heart/lungs until she needs surgery, but it won't be right away. She'll get to be a normal-ish baby for a little while and we'll get to hold her and love her and see her with Jordan AT HOME.
Today was a good day :)
1st appointment went well. I got a little annoyed going over my history, again, but it is what it is. I'm liking Dr. D more each time I meet with her and am feeling like she's listening to me and my concerns. She said she read over the dictation from Jordan's delivery and based on that, she's till leaning toward a c/s. I'm still leaning toward a vaginal delivery. I get that there is an increased risk of Norah getting stuck like Jordan did (upwards of 25% according to Dr. D, but my research says it's closer to <10%) and there's a risk of nerve damage (about 5% of the above risk of Erb's Palsy), but I don't want to jump on the operating table for a small risk if delivering vaginally is better for her. If I'm told that a c/s is the best and safest way for her to enter the world -- sign me up. As it stands now, if I go into labor within the next 3 week, I'll deliver vaginally, but I'll have another growth u/s in about 2 weeks and we'll discuss a c/s then.
B/c my appointment ran long, my nst was canceled (boo hoo hoo), but I still had the bpp scheduled at 1, so at least we got a break for lunch.
bpp at 1 went fine. She was moving and practice breathing and has plenty of fluid. The u/s tech was able to get me in with the cardiac tech early for my fetal echo so that was nice.
Fetal echo went very well. Well, except for the whole blacking out thing, but whatever. Her condition seems to be holding steady. There was no increased leakiness of the valves, organs are still where they're supposed to be (mostly) and she's growing.
The NICU consult is where today really shined. We were nervous about it b/c of our experience at WIH. I don't want my kid to need a NICU, but I'm happy about the one she'll be going to. They're very family centered, with toys in the waiting/family room, a small library to learn about a lot of the conditions/complications that caused your child to end up there, and - my most favorite part - parents are encouraged to attend rounds. You aren't banished off the ward. You're actually there, listening and learning about your child and, if need be, offering input as to what you think your baby needs. The pods were so serene, even with the monitors and visitors, and we never experienced anything like that at WIH. It always felt like chaos, a slightly controlled chaos, but chaos none the less.
At WIH (in our experience), the drs/nurses didn't care what the parents said, they didn't want parents to access their child's records (it HAD TO BE word of mouth - there were no charts for us to read), and getting information was like pulling teeth. They made us feel bad about everything from not delivering there to the fact that they ALWAYS called the wrong number when trying to reach us and, oh yeah, it was our fault when Jordy's nurse went on break and her covering nurse refused to update us on our child's condition. Our experience there sucked. Sucked big, hairy goat balls.
And... and... and...
If Norah is as "healthy" as we're predicting (everything can change once she's on the outside breathing air and her heart is working without the help of the umbilicus)... she could be in the NICU as little as 12-24 hours. I totally side-eyed the neonatalogist at that point, but he went on to explain that a baby presenting as she is, born at term, that shows no signs of bowel damage after her first feed, would only need to be observed long enough to get a cardiac consult in before they'd move her to either the special care unit or the general nursery. Granted, she could be there a lot longer, and I'm not getting my hopes up of her having a 12 hr stay, but it was really nice to hear that there's a plan, already in place, for her to be released from the NICU. We never had that with Jordan.
Oh, and if she does as well as predicted, and I do have a c/s - she'd most likely be released from the hospital before I would be. I didn't even know what to say to that! She would/could stay in the general nursery until my release, but technically, if he wanted to, Nick could take her home and leave me there to recover.
So there's todays update. I'm still so in shock over the NICU consult. I'm so excited that we know what has to happen for her to come home and that there's no reason to think she'll need a ventilator or special equipment or anything in order to come home. Down the line, she'll need to be medicated in order to help her heart/lungs until she needs surgery, but it won't be right away. She'll get to be a normal-ish baby for a little while and we'll get to hold her and love her and see her with Jordan AT HOME.
Today was a good day :)
Friday, October 15, 2010
changed my mind, she's staying in forever
yep, I've changed my mind and Norah-bug will be an inside baby forever.
I'm afraid of her entering the world.
Of what complications she'll have.
Of surgery.
Of the NICU.
Of her adjusting to the outside world.
Of all the other things mothers worry about.
I want to protect her forever. I want to protect both my girls. I hate that I feel like I'm getting less time with Belly b/c I'm spending it trying to learn about the "what-ifs" that might affect Norah. I hate that I have to limit my time learning about Norah's condition to spend time playing with Jordan. I hate going to day long appointments where I can't have Jordan with me, but love watching Norah on the ultrasound.
I can't seem to find a balance. I want to. I want so much for Jordan to be involved in everything, but I want to protect her from everything.
I found a chatboard for parents of CHD babes/kids and I'm addicted to learning others stories. I've reached out to a few parents who've delivered in Boston/children have had surgery in Boston and asked them about their experiences. I've been reading posts about hiding/exposing your other children to your heart babies and I don't know what to do. I WANT Jordan to see me in the hospital and to see Norah and touch her and know that's her baby too. I don't want her to see wires and machines and be afraid. I've been showing her some pictures from when she was in the NICU, but her wires were mostly hidden. They didn't have to intubate her (I don't know if Norah will need it), and she yanked out her iv ports as quickly as she could, so all you see in some of her pictures are some wires hanging out of a blanket and the occasional iv port that she hadn't yanked yet. I hate to show her the pictures where I'm obviously crying - I don't want her to think that being in the hospital is bad or something to be afraid of.
I hate this time in my life right now. I should be loving it, but I hate it. I love how fun and loving Jordan is. I love feeling Norah roll and kick. I love when Jordan pokes at my belly and Norah kicks her, and when Jordan is talking or singing and Norah goes nutso. I loved (as coincidental as I'm sure it was) that Norah woke up during the BPP when I mentioned Jordan's name. I hate that I feel torn between the 2 of them most days. I hate that I can't find a balance. I hate that I can't just enjoy the time I have left with Jordan being my only outside baby.
I want to have that normal pregnancy that I was finally having. I feel guilty for wanting that. I want to have a healthy baby. I feel guilty for wanting Norah to be something she isn't. I remember feeling guilty like this when Jordan was born. I wanted a little baby - she wasn't little. I wanted a healthy baby - she decided breathing was stupid. I loved her more than anything anyway (still do), and I love Norah already (no matter what her condition is) and I'm a shit-tastic mother for wishing they could be/would have been something they aren't/weren't.
I don't think I could love them anymore than I do (which, I guess is a lie, b/c tomorrow or the next day or the day after that, I'll realize that I love them so much more that day than I do right now) and I KNOW I can't love them less than I already do, so why am I so selfish to want the things that no one has any control over? It isn't fair of me. I guess I need to work on that.
I'm afraid of her entering the world.
Of what complications she'll have.
Of surgery.
Of the NICU.
Of her adjusting to the outside world.
Of all the other things mothers worry about.
I want to protect her forever. I want to protect both my girls. I hate that I feel like I'm getting less time with Belly b/c I'm spending it trying to learn about the "what-ifs" that might affect Norah. I hate that I have to limit my time learning about Norah's condition to spend time playing with Jordan. I hate going to day long appointments where I can't have Jordan with me, but love watching Norah on the ultrasound.
I can't seem to find a balance. I want to. I want so much for Jordan to be involved in everything, but I want to protect her from everything.
I found a chatboard for parents of CHD babes/kids and I'm addicted to learning others stories. I've reached out to a few parents who've delivered in Boston/children have had surgery in Boston and asked them about their experiences. I've been reading posts about hiding/exposing your other children to your heart babies and I don't know what to do. I WANT Jordan to see me in the hospital and to see Norah and touch her and know that's her baby too. I don't want her to see wires and machines and be afraid. I've been showing her some pictures from when she was in the NICU, but her wires were mostly hidden. They didn't have to intubate her (I don't know if Norah will need it), and she yanked out her iv ports as quickly as she could, so all you see in some of her pictures are some wires hanging out of a blanket and the occasional iv port that she hadn't yanked yet. I hate to show her the pictures where I'm obviously crying - I don't want her to think that being in the hospital is bad or something to be afraid of.
I hate this time in my life right now. I should be loving it, but I hate it. I love how fun and loving Jordan is. I love feeling Norah roll and kick. I love when Jordan pokes at my belly and Norah kicks her, and when Jordan is talking or singing and Norah goes nutso. I loved (as coincidental as I'm sure it was) that Norah woke up during the BPP when I mentioned Jordan's name. I hate that I feel torn between the 2 of them most days. I hate that I can't find a balance. I hate that I can't just enjoy the time I have left with Jordan being my only outside baby.
I want to have that normal pregnancy that I was finally having. I feel guilty for wanting that. I want to have a healthy baby. I feel guilty for wanting Norah to be something she isn't. I remember feeling guilty like this when Jordan was born. I wanted a little baby - she wasn't little. I wanted a healthy baby - she decided breathing was stupid. I loved her more than anything anyway (still do), and I love Norah already (no matter what her condition is) and I'm a shit-tastic mother for wishing they could be/would have been something they aren't/weren't.
I don't think I could love them anymore than I do (which, I guess is a lie, b/c tomorrow or the next day or the day after that, I'll realize that I love them so much more that day than I do right now) and I KNOW I can't love them less than I already do, so why am I so selfish to want the things that no one has any control over? It isn't fair of me. I guess I need to work on that.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
kinda proud of me right now.
I put aside my feelings and was really open-minded when I talked to the new dr today.
I wasn't fond of Dr. D last week when I met her. It sent my head spinning in a million directions about what to do to change my care/Norah's care and what would be best for, ultimately, my family. I can deal with a dr I don't like if my baby is getting the best possible care and my big baby is well cared for when i can't be there.
So anyway.
I started thinking after the appointment last week, that she must have been flustered too (hopefully). She was handed a high-risk patient that she'd never met, never seen the history for, told the new patient has had xyz diagnosis, already had a CVS & genetic counseling & now a new diagnosis, oh and by the way, a rough delivery of baby 1 -- now go in and talk to her and consult with the cardiologist.
It isn't easy for me to forget that first impression, and I'm sure that's the same for many people. I've spent the week just remembering how flustered and pressured I felt at the meeting. I didn't like that she didn't hear what I was saying and that she disagreed with me or my care to date or my hopes for the remainder of my pregnancy. I tried very hard to move past it to be comfortable to talk to her today and to really be an advocate for myself and Norah and not to be the doormat I felt like last week.
Today I had a bpp and she came in to touch base with me and see if I had any questions. She seems to have taken at least a few minutes to review my history and we are (tentatively at least) on the same page. I don't hate her, I don't love her, but I *may* like her, and I am feeling more comfortable with her as my doctor. She is scheduling an induction to get me on the calendar, but (hopefully) I made it clear that I did not want to be induced unless I was progressing and was a good candidate for it. I do understand the concerns about going overdue though so I didn't argue with getting on the calendar... I just hope I go on my own before that.
I wasn't fond of Dr. D last week when I met her. It sent my head spinning in a million directions about what to do to change my care/Norah's care and what would be best for, ultimately, my family. I can deal with a dr I don't like if my baby is getting the best possible care and my big baby is well cared for when i can't be there.
So anyway.
I started thinking after the appointment last week, that she must have been flustered too (hopefully). She was handed a high-risk patient that she'd never met, never seen the history for, told the new patient has had xyz diagnosis, already had a CVS & genetic counseling & now a new diagnosis, oh and by the way, a rough delivery of baby 1 -- now go in and talk to her and consult with the cardiologist.
It isn't easy for me to forget that first impression, and I'm sure that's the same for many people. I've spent the week just remembering how flustered and pressured I felt at the meeting. I didn't like that she didn't hear what I was saying and that she disagreed with me or my care to date or my hopes for the remainder of my pregnancy. I tried very hard to move past it to be comfortable to talk to her today and to really be an advocate for myself and Norah and not to be the doormat I felt like last week.
Today I had a bpp and she came in to touch base with me and see if I had any questions. She seems to have taken at least a few minutes to review my history and we are (tentatively at least) on the same page. I don't hate her, I don't love her, but I *may* like her, and I am feeling more comfortable with her as my doctor. She is scheduling an induction to get me on the calendar, but (hopefully) I made it clear that I did not want to be induced unless I was progressing and was a good candidate for it. I do understand the concerns about going overdue though so I didn't argue with getting on the calendar... I just hope I go on my own before that.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
It's 5am
I feel like I had a nightmare.
Jordan woke up screaming about 20 minutes ago, but went back to sleep shortly after.
I missed her so much yesterday.
I just want to go in her room and get her - she doesn't really need sleep, does she? Today, I've got errands to run & she's going to have a Belly-Daddy morning so I can get them done quickly (they involve trying on clothes :/) and getting home to her as fast as possible. Then I have a drs appointment while she's napping, but I have to leave before she goes down.
Can it be Friday yet? I just want to spend the day with her, and love her and be grateful that I have her here with me.
She's snoring away peacefully right now, all bundled up in her blankets and all I want to do is snatch her up out of her crib and hold her. I know she'd never go for it since snuggling can only be done on her terms, but I can't help it - I want to snuggle with my girl.
I felt like I had a handle on the situation. Now, I feel like there are so many unanswered questions and I don't think I'll be able to get straight answers.
I'm starting to consider delivering in the hole I hate if I can stay with her the entire time she's in the NICU. And by hate, I mean hate, loathe & despise -- honestly, I'd rather die than deal with that hospital, but if I get to be with my baby and she'll still have her surgery in Boston, maybe I can deal with it.
It's so strange how calm I feel about Norah's heart. It's like the other shoe has finally fallen and, yes, there are things to deal with, but we were kinda prepared for this. For the longest time, we weren't going to be able to know what was wrong until after she was born and I wasn't going to be able to deliver at *my* hospital and there were so many uncertainties. Then we had a little window of a normal pregnancy. Now we're back to a form of "plan A" and it isn't as scary as it was, especially since she has a problem that can be and has been diagnosed, and we have a plan of treatment. I'm still learning as much as I can about her diagnoses, but it's a lot easier to learn when you know exactly what the problem is, instead of a blanket problem where no one may never know the exact cause. That's oddly comforting. Knowing what it is. Knowing she can get treatment and lead a full, happy, healthy life.
I want a healthy baby, but isn't what's important for her to be able to grow and be happy & healthy for a lifetime? Maybe this hurdle will be the only one she has in her life, maybe it'll be the first of many. Isn't it my job to make her feel loved and secure in her own skin and confident in herself that all these hurdles are nothing she can't handle?
I just want my girls to be happy & healthy & confident & know how loved they are. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that happens.
Jordan woke up screaming about 20 minutes ago, but went back to sleep shortly after.
I missed her so much yesterday.
I just want to go in her room and get her - she doesn't really need sleep, does she? Today, I've got errands to run & she's going to have a Belly-Daddy morning so I can get them done quickly (they involve trying on clothes :/) and getting home to her as fast as possible. Then I have a drs appointment while she's napping, but I have to leave before she goes down.
Can it be Friday yet? I just want to spend the day with her, and love her and be grateful that I have her here with me.
She's snoring away peacefully right now, all bundled up in her blankets and all I want to do is snatch her up out of her crib and hold her. I know she'd never go for it since snuggling can only be done on her terms, but I can't help it - I want to snuggle with my girl.
I felt like I had a handle on the situation. Now, I feel like there are so many unanswered questions and I don't think I'll be able to get straight answers.
I'm starting to consider delivering in the hole I hate if I can stay with her the entire time she's in the NICU. And by hate, I mean hate, loathe & despise -- honestly, I'd rather die than deal with that hospital, but if I get to be with my baby and she'll still have her surgery in Boston, maybe I can deal with it.
It's so strange how calm I feel about Norah's heart. It's like the other shoe has finally fallen and, yes, there are things to deal with, but we were kinda prepared for this. For the longest time, we weren't going to be able to know what was wrong until after she was born and I wasn't going to be able to deliver at *my* hospital and there were so many uncertainties. Then we had a little window of a normal pregnancy. Now we're back to a form of "plan A" and it isn't as scary as it was, especially since she has a problem that can be and has been diagnosed, and we have a plan of treatment. I'm still learning as much as I can about her diagnoses, but it's a lot easier to learn when you know exactly what the problem is, instead of a blanket problem where no one may never know the exact cause. That's oddly comforting. Knowing what it is. Knowing she can get treatment and lead a full, happy, healthy life.
I want a healthy baby, but isn't what's important for her to be able to grow and be happy & healthy for a lifetime? Maybe this hurdle will be the only one she has in her life, maybe it'll be the first of many. Isn't it my job to make her feel loved and secure in her own skin and confident in herself that all these hurdles are nothing she can't handle?
I just want my girls to be happy & healthy & confident & know how loved they are. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that happens.
I'm just c&p'ing b/c I can't type it again right now
the appointment.
We had another fetal echo and met with the pediatric cardiologist, who then did a 2nd fetal echo to see everything for himself.
Dr. F (the pedi cardiologist) was great. We both really liked him and he took the time to talk to us about what he was/wasn't seeing and then he drew out diagrams and made notes for us so that we could better understand what we're dealing with.
Her heart is enlarged, but not as much as I was led to believe yesterday. Dr. F said that yes, her lungs are slightly smaller than typical, but they're still in a "normal-size" range. Her heart is working, but not how it's supposed to.
Her inferior vena cava is small, but the vein beside the vena cava is slightly enlarged and picking up the slack so he doesn't see that as a problem.
Norah has some heterotaxy (some organs *may* be disoriented -he doesn't see any, but couldn't see her spleen, so it may actually be missing or in multiple non-working pieces -but he's basing that part of the diagnosis on her heart flow/rhythms & valves) and a large hole in her heart - an atrioventricular canal defect. She'll require some NICU time after birth, but there's no telling how much until we see how her heart works when she's on the outside. She'll need surgery to repair the hole by the time she's 6 months old. Dr. F said from what he's seeing, she should be fine until she's 4-6months before needing surgery, which is ideal, but again, it's something we have to evaluate after she's here. Surgery will be at Children's in Boston.
I'll deliver at either UMass or Brigham & Womens - right now, my care is being transferred to Umass, but I'm not sold on my new OB. She didn't seem to like my opinions (like not wanting to schedule a c/s based on Jordan's shoulder dystocia & being due 2 days after Thanksgiving o_O) and seemed to feel like it had to be her way or no way (Nick needs to be at appointments, whenever she can 'fit me in').
I see my OB tomorrow to say good-bye and get my records. I'm back at UMass on Tuesday for a BPP (which Nick just asked if it was the dildo cam b/c he thought bpp stood for bionic penis probe -- I love my husband, he can always make me smile!), so I have to cancel the NST with the MFM I saw yesterday.
We had another fetal echo and met with the pediatric cardiologist, who then did a 2nd fetal echo to see everything for himself.
Dr. F (the pedi cardiologist) was great. We both really liked him and he took the time to talk to us about what he was/wasn't seeing and then he drew out diagrams and made notes for us so that we could better understand what we're dealing with.
Her heart is enlarged, but not as much as I was led to believe yesterday. Dr. F said that yes, her lungs are slightly smaller than typical, but they're still in a "normal-size" range. Her heart is working, but not how it's supposed to.
Her inferior vena cava is small, but the vein beside the vena cava is slightly enlarged and picking up the slack so he doesn't see that as a problem.
Norah has some heterotaxy (some organs *may* be disoriented -he doesn't see any, but couldn't see her spleen, so it may actually be missing or in multiple non-working pieces -but he's basing that part of the diagnosis on her heart flow/rhythms & valves) and a large hole in her heart - an atrioventricular canal defect. She'll require some NICU time after birth, but there's no telling how much until we see how her heart works when she's on the outside. She'll need surgery to repair the hole by the time she's 6 months old. Dr. F said from what he's seeing, she should be fine until she's 4-6months before needing surgery, which is ideal, but again, it's something we have to evaluate after she's here. Surgery will be at Children's in Boston.
I'll deliver at either UMass or Brigham & Womens - right now, my care is being transferred to Umass, but I'm not sold on my new OB. She didn't seem to like my opinions (like not wanting to schedule a c/s based on Jordan's shoulder dystocia & being due 2 days after Thanksgiving o_O) and seemed to feel like it had to be her way or no way (Nick needs to be at appointments, whenever she can 'fit me in').
I see my OB tomorrow to say good-bye and get my records. I'm back at UMass on Tuesday for a BPP (which Nick just asked if it was the dildo cam b/c he thought bpp stood for bionic penis probe -- I love my husband, he can always make me smile!), so I have to cancel the NST with the MFM I saw yesterday.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
well, that sucked
Bug has something wrong with her heart. I don't know what exactly or how severe it is/could be. It's enlarged (the right ventricle) and taking up about 1/2 of her chest cavity. The blood flow is off and blood is mixing that shouldn't be. It could be a valve issue (tricuspid & pulmonary were suspected) or possible tetralogy of fallot or who knows what.
I have another fetal echo tomorrow at 1pm. Hopefully we'll meet with a pediatric cardiologist at the same time, if not, we'll find and meet with one within a week.
For now, she's growing and her heart is working - just in it's own way.
today sucked, but here's hoping tomorrow is better.
I have another fetal echo tomorrow at 1pm. Hopefully we'll meet with a pediatric cardiologist at the same time, if not, we'll find and meet with one within a week.
For now, she's growing and her heart is working - just in it's own way.
today sucked, but here's hoping tomorrow is better.
t-2hrs until the fetal echo
I'm nervous.
I wasn't, well, I was, but not really b/c I felt like it's just a size/position thing. Now, I'm nervous. My mother & Jordan will be in the waiting room, coloring and watching iCarly on DVD b/c my mother & Nick don't trust me to go by myself.
They were both really upset that I was alone when Norah got the cystic hygroma diagnosis.
I feel more nervous now than I did when I went for the NT f/u. I think it's b/c I can't know what they're going to tell me and the NT taught me that.
here's hoping all is well!
I wasn't, well, I was, but not really b/c I felt like it's just a size/position thing. Now, I'm nervous. My mother & Jordan will be in the waiting room, coloring and watching iCarly on DVD b/c my mother & Nick don't trust me to go by myself.
They were both really upset that I was alone when Norah got the cystic hygroma diagnosis.
I feel more nervous now than I did when I went for the NT f/u. I think it's b/c I can't know what they're going to tell me and the NT taught me that.
here's hoping all is well!
Monday, October 4, 2010
what I've been thinking about
my mom.
This started before the ultrasound on the 1st. For some reason, I was thinking about when my brother would get sick and be in the hospital (it's about that time of year that the poor kid would be in the hospital for either for his birthday -in May- or around Halloween b/c of asthma/allergies every year) and when Belle was in the hospital when she was only 5 weeks old.
I realized while I was at Hasbro with Belle how often my brother was in the hospital and how often my mother was with me during that time. I remember telling her I didn't know how she did it b/c there was no way I was leaving my baby in the hospital by herself. She said, "I had another child to take care of."
I'll never forget her saying that.
God knows how many times I've felt (and voiced said feeling) that my brother was her favorite and I can't fathom how much that must have hurt. I'm sure she knew it was just me being frustrated and annoyed and jealous of who knows what and lashing out, but geez! I never thought about how that could hurt her or that it'd be something I thought about years and years later - what kid does?
When everything with Norah started, I had another child to take care of.
I have nap and bed times to cry and worry in. I can't just stop and hide in a hole until I know everything is going to be alright, no matter how much I want to. I've had to take care of Jordan and love her and hold it together for her, so that she can continue to grow and be confident in herself and our love for her.
I couldn't have done it without my mother having told me she had another child to take care of. It was like she was giving me permission, long before I needed it, to take care of all my children in the way that they'd need me to. All those visits to see my brother in the hospital - I remember thinking it was so that I could see him, I never thought it was so that my mother could be with her son - like he needed her to be, like she needed to be. I hope I can someday be as strong a mother as she was then and is today.
I'm nervous about Norah. I really don't know what to expect tomorrow at the ultrasound, but I do know that when I'm done, I have to come home and be Mumma to Jordan.
here's hoping all is well,
This started before the ultrasound on the 1st. For some reason, I was thinking about when my brother would get sick and be in the hospital (it's about that time of year that the poor kid would be in the hospital for either for his birthday -in May- or around Halloween b/c of asthma/allergies every year) and when Belle was in the hospital when she was only 5 weeks old.
I realized while I was at Hasbro with Belle how often my brother was in the hospital and how often my mother was with me during that time. I remember telling her I didn't know how she did it b/c there was no way I was leaving my baby in the hospital by herself. She said, "I had another child to take care of."
I'll never forget her saying that.
God knows how many times I've felt (and voiced said feeling) that my brother was her favorite and I can't fathom how much that must have hurt. I'm sure she knew it was just me being frustrated and annoyed and jealous of who knows what and lashing out, but geez! I never thought about how that could hurt her or that it'd be something I thought about years and years later - what kid does?
When everything with Norah started, I had another child to take care of.
I have nap and bed times to cry and worry in. I can't just stop and hide in a hole until I know everything is going to be alright, no matter how much I want to. I've had to take care of Jordan and love her and hold it together for her, so that she can continue to grow and be confident in herself and our love for her.
I couldn't have done it without my mother having told me she had another child to take care of. It was like she was giving me permission, long before I needed it, to take care of all my children in the way that they'd need me to. All those visits to see my brother in the hospital - I remember thinking it was so that I could see him, I never thought it was so that my mother could be with her son - like he needed her to be, like she needed to be. I hope I can someday be as strong a mother as she was then and is today.
I'm nervous about Norah. I really don't know what to expect tomorrow at the ultrasound, but I do know that when I'm done, I have to come home and be Mumma to Jordan.
here's hoping all is well,
Friday, October 1, 2010
what to say, what to say
Jordan is doing well. Her eye is still drift-y, and she's in melt down mode most of the time, but she's fun.
Norah is still inside (where she should be!!) and we had a 3d u/s last week, a growth u/s today & will have a follow up u/s with another MFM on Tuesday. Something about her heart isn't looking right. It's fluttering or flapping strangely and b/c of her size and position (she's head down already) it was hard to get a good look at the regular ob's office, so it's off to the specialist I go (hi ho hi ho hi ho). I'm nervous, but not nervous at the same time. I'm glad it was caught and we can investigate it before she arrives.
Part of me is afraid. Afraid that *this* is what caused the cystic hygroma in the first place and it's to late to do anything about it. Her other organs looked good though and there were no hydrops. I'm hopeful that it was just a size and position problem.
Size-wise she's in the 66th percentile, weighing in around 4lbs11oz. IF she were to gain .5lb a week from here on out, she'd be about 9lbs like Jordy was. I'm hoping she's smaller. Selfish, yes, but I want a little baby (who's healthy & doesn't get stuck, but I'll settle for one that's *just* healthy).
And now, I must go to bed. There's more I want to say, on a different topic, kinda sorta - it's about a fear and a realizing, but I just don't have the energy to get it written out as well as I'd like.
Norah is still inside (where she should be!!) and we had a 3d u/s last week, a growth u/s today & will have a follow up u/s with another MFM on Tuesday. Something about her heart isn't looking right. It's fluttering or flapping strangely and b/c of her size and position (she's head down already) it was hard to get a good look at the regular ob's office, so it's off to the specialist I go (hi ho hi ho hi ho). I'm nervous, but not nervous at the same time. I'm glad it was caught and we can investigate it before she arrives.
Part of me is afraid. Afraid that *this* is what caused the cystic hygroma in the first place and it's to late to do anything about it. Her other organs looked good though and there were no hydrops. I'm hopeful that it was just a size and position problem.
Size-wise she's in the 66th percentile, weighing in around 4lbs11oz. IF she were to gain .5lb a week from here on out, she'd be about 9lbs like Jordy was. I'm hoping she's smaller. Selfish, yes, but I want a little baby (who's healthy & doesn't get stuck, but I'll settle for one that's *just* healthy).
And now, I must go to bed. There's more I want to say, on a different topic, kinda sorta - it's about a fear and a realizing, but I just don't have the energy to get it written out as well as I'd like.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
yep, bought a car seat
I bought Norah's convertible car seat today. The Britax Roundabout 50 Classic in "Kathryn" from Target.
Holy crap people, there will be a baby using the car seat in my dining room.
EEP!
This is getting real. Really real.
Holy crap people, there will be a baby using the car seat in my dining room.
EEP!
This is getting real. Really real.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
I'm assuming I passed
I had my glucose tolerance test on Wednesday, September 1st. Nothing says 'Happy Anniversary' like drinking 8oz of sugar. I had planned to post after getting the results, but since I haven't gotten them, I'm assuming I passed. I know, I know - everyone knows what happens when you assume. Guess what, I'm assuming anyway! I had far less of a reaction this time than I did when I took the test with Jordan. I got a little nauseous and dizzy, but nothing a few deep breaths didn't take care of - with Jordan, I was a scary sight during that hour wait.
It's so strange to me that Nick & I have been married for 3 years. We have an almost 2 year old and another on the way. I don't know how this happened. I mean, I know how it happened (and if you read this, then you know how Bug came about too), but it just doesn't seem like we've even known each other long enough for it to happen.
We didn't even exchange cards, and Nick knows that's a big deal to me, but it wasn't this year. We just ran out of time. He bought me Swedish Fish though and let me nap so I guess that means he does love me. Hear that, Norah, ME. He loves ME, which is why he bought candy I like and not candy YOU make me want.
Anyway, back to my girls.
It's getting much easier to call them my girls and more and more I feel like Norah will be here in November. I'm 28w today and it's all feeling real again. All the hopes and wishes for her are coming back and seem attainable again. It's such a great feeling. I'm measuring a little big, but she "feels a little small" so at my next appointment we'll schedule a growth ultrasound. I'd really like to understand what "feeling small" means in the world of obstetrics. Jordan "felt small" too, and she weighed 9lbs 1.5oz at birth... that's not small.
Speaking of Jordan, she's just fun. Nick loves spending time with her and it shows. She's picking up random words and has an opinion on everything. Today's word was butterfly (bub-bub-bye) and she must have said it 1000 times. The other day she started kicking and whispering kick, kick, kick, kicking, kicking, kick, kick, (yell) KICK! It was so hard not to laugh at her since she was so proud of herself. She learned share and sorry last week - and she was sorry to everyone/thing she could touch for 10 minutes. The poor dog nearly lost some teeth b/c she had his jaw telling him "sorry" and kissing his muzzle.
She got new shoes recently - pink, glittery shoes. She loves them. She loves all things pink. She's such a girly-girl and a tomboy all at the same time and it works for her. I have no idea how to raise a girly-girl, but she's happy, healthy, loving, confident and limit-pushing so I must be doing something right (so far anyway).
That's about it I guess. Jordan refuses to stop growing up, Norah is growing well and Nick & I have been married (barely) over 3 years now and are still growing up.
It's so strange to me that Nick & I have been married for 3 years. We have an almost 2 year old and another on the way. I don't know how this happened. I mean, I know how it happened (and if you read this, then you know how Bug came about too), but it just doesn't seem like we've even known each other long enough for it to happen.
We didn't even exchange cards, and Nick knows that's a big deal to me, but it wasn't this year. We just ran out of time. He bought me Swedish Fish though and let me nap so I guess that means he does love me. Hear that, Norah, ME. He loves ME, which is why he bought candy I like and not candy YOU make me want.
Anyway, back to my girls.
It's getting much easier to call them my girls and more and more I feel like Norah will be here in November. I'm 28w today and it's all feeling real again. All the hopes and wishes for her are coming back and seem attainable again. It's such a great feeling. I'm measuring a little big, but she "feels a little small" so at my next appointment we'll schedule a growth ultrasound. I'd really like to understand what "feeling small" means in the world of obstetrics. Jordan "felt small" too, and she weighed 9lbs 1.5oz at birth... that's not small.
Speaking of Jordan, she's just fun. Nick loves spending time with her and it shows. She's picking up random words and has an opinion on everything. Today's word was butterfly (bub-bub-bye) and she must have said it 1000 times. The other day she started kicking and whispering kick, kick, kick, kicking, kicking, kick, kick, (yell) KICK! It was so hard not to laugh at her since she was so proud of herself. She learned share and sorry last week - and she was sorry to everyone/thing she could touch for 10 minutes. The poor dog nearly lost some teeth b/c she had his jaw telling him "sorry" and kissing his muzzle.
She got new shoes recently - pink, glittery shoes. She loves them. She loves all things pink. She's such a girly-girl and a tomboy all at the same time and it works for her. I have no idea how to raise a girly-girl, but she's happy, healthy, loving, confident and limit-pushing so I must be doing something right (so far anyway).
That's about it I guess. Jordan refuses to stop growing up, Norah is growing well and Nick & I have been married (barely) over 3 years now and are still growing up.
Friday, August 6, 2010
catch up time again
Jordan went to the ophthalmologist on Monday. Her right eye has been drifting ever since she scratched her cornea, so I wanted a professional to tell me that she was fine. The poor girl has had more visits to that office than most kids would in the first 10 years of their life! She's fine. It's normal-ish. It could be caused by the scratch to her cornea delaying a bit of eye development, but at this point, her vision is where it should be and there doesn't appear to be any lasting damage from the scratch or muscle damage. She goes back in January for a follow up.
I had an OB appointment today.
I'm up 5lbs from the last one... with shoes and a full bladder. Whatever. My shoes and full bladder do not equal 5 lbs so I know I'm up something and that means I'm doing alright. Norah's heart rate was in the 130's and she's measuring 1-2weeks ahead (by fundal height), but that's still within normal range.
Everything looks great and it really will be a normal pregnancy from here on out ::knock wood::
I had an OB appointment today.
I'm up 5lbs from the last one... with shoes and a full bladder. Whatever. My shoes and full bladder do not equal 5 lbs so I know I'm up something and that means I'm doing alright. Norah's heart rate was in the 130's and she's measuring 1-2weeks ahead (by fundal height), but that's still within normal range.
Everything looks great and it really will be a normal pregnancy from here on out ::knock wood::
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Norah got a present on Friday
and I got a good 20 minutes of crying in before I could write a thank you note.
I'm beyond blessed to have the support of a group of amazingly strong, supportive, honest and loving women. One of which took the time out of her day to send along a little gift.
The babylegs are adorable, but her simple note touched my heart and brought me to tears. She wrote, "I believe in miracles, and I believe in baby Norah" and just thinking about it, I'm in tears again. I can never thank her enough for that. For the prayers, for being a friend and for believing in my daughter - especially when it's been so hard for me to believe that she'll actually be here this year.
I'm sure she'll have a laugh at my thank you card that must say thank you eleventybillion times b/c I just can't articulate how much her thoughtfulness means to me.
The babylegs and the note are put away for now, but my fall baby will wear them proudly and that note will always serve as a reminder for us of what the journey to having baby Norah was about and the support we received during it.
Thank you, Cate. Thank you so very much. (you can count these are thank yous eleventybillion-one & eleventybillion-two).
I'm beyond blessed to have the support of a group of amazingly strong, supportive, honest and loving women. One of which took the time out of her day to send along a little gift.
The babylegs are adorable, but her simple note touched my heart and brought me to tears. She wrote, "I believe in miracles, and I believe in baby Norah" and just thinking about it, I'm in tears again. I can never thank her enough for that. For the prayers, for being a friend and for believing in my daughter - especially when it's been so hard for me to believe that she'll actually be here this year.
I'm sure she'll have a laugh at my thank you card that must say thank you eleventybillion times b/c I just can't articulate how much her thoughtfulness means to me.
The babylegs and the note are put away for now, but my fall baby will wear them proudly and that note will always serve as a reminder for us of what the journey to having baby Norah was about and the support we received during it.
Thank you, Cate. Thank you so very much. (you can count these are thank yous eleventybillion-one & eleventybillion-two).
Friday, July 30, 2010
echo update
I was a little busy tearing up my house for new carpeting yesterday to update when we got home.
Dr. Carpenter is "delighted" at Norah's development. I think that's his favorite word - he said it at least 6 times during my scan. He also said that based on what he saw in May, he never expected to see a healthy, developing baby in July. I think that really hit home for Nick and helped him to understand why I was so hesitant to be overly hopeful.
The only thing that could be seen was a teeny-tiny pocket of fluid near her heart. IF I were any other patient and they weren't looking for problems, they'd think nothing of it and probably wouldn't even make a note of it.
And so, based on everything they've seen at the last u/s in June and the one yesterday...
I'm not longer considered high-risk by the MFM!
Norah's hb was 128 and she's estimated to weigh about 1lb3oz. Apparently, I grow 'em big. We did get to see her on the 3d u/s a couple times and the first time (no there isn't a picture) she looked just like Jordan. JUST LIKE HER. The other times we saw her (when we did get pictures) she had her arms crossed over her face. Silly baby thinks she's allowed to be shy... she has so much to learn!
Dr. Carpenter is "delighted" at Norah's development. I think that's his favorite word - he said it at least 6 times during my scan. He also said that based on what he saw in May, he never expected to see a healthy, developing baby in July. I think that really hit home for Nick and helped him to understand why I was so hesitant to be overly hopeful.
The only thing that could be seen was a teeny-tiny pocket of fluid near her heart. IF I were any other patient and they weren't looking for problems, they'd think nothing of it and probably wouldn't even make a note of it.
And so, based on everything they've seen at the last u/s in June and the one yesterday...
I'm not longer considered high-risk by the MFM!
Norah's hb was 128 and she's estimated to weigh about 1lb3oz. Apparently, I grow 'em big. We did get to see her on the 3d u/s a couple times and the first time (no there isn't a picture) she looked just like Jordan. JUST LIKE HER. The other times we saw her (when we did get pictures) she had her arms crossed over her face. Silly baby thinks she's allowed to be shy... she has so much to learn!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
and the fear returns =/
WTF mate.
Tomorrow I have another fetal echo. I *know* at the last one, Dr. Carpenter said everything looked great but wanted to be absolutely sure when her heart was bigger and easier to see. I was fine until yesterday when I confirmed the appointment. I'm nervous. I know what a difference a few weeks can make.
It seems so silly to be worried about a heart defect at this point. Less than 3 months ago, I was worried about Norah making it at all. Her biggest hurdle has been jumped and now this little one feels just as high. I have no reason to think she has a heart defect. I have every reason to think Dr. Carpenter was 100% right when he said he didn't see anything 5 weeks ago and that this is just a routine follow up.
Sometimes, being a mother is not fun. This worrying shit is for the birds! Only a lifetime of it left though - that's a plus =)
Tomorrow I have another fetal echo. I *know* at the last one, Dr. Carpenter said everything looked great but wanted to be absolutely sure when her heart was bigger and easier to see. I was fine until yesterday when I confirmed the appointment. I'm nervous. I know what a difference a few weeks can make.
It seems so silly to be worried about a heart defect at this point. Less than 3 months ago, I was worried about Norah making it at all. Her biggest hurdle has been jumped and now this little one feels just as high. I have no reason to think she has a heart defect. I have every reason to think Dr. Carpenter was 100% right when he said he didn't see anything 5 weeks ago and that this is just a routine follow up.
Sometimes, being a mother is not fun. This worrying shit is for the birds! Only a lifetime of it left though - that's a plus =)
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
ahhhhhhhh
You know when you have a doctors appointment and you just feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders? I had that today. I didn't have any questions about what we'd do after Norah arrived, or which hospital would be better equipped to handle her problems, or what the odds of meeting her were up to this week. I just had a normal, regular, plain 'ol prenatal visit. Ok, there were tears, but they were happy tears. My results hadn't made it over from the MFM yet so I got deliver the news about missing cystic hygroma and that was pretty great to see my dr & nurse get emotional with happy tears. These are the same women who saw me through my pregnancy with Belle and have been by my side, answering any questions I can think of during this pregnancy as well.
Oh, and, b/c the CH is gone, I do not have to schedule a primary c-section AND can deliver at my hospital! If she has a heart problem, I'll have the option to deliver elsewhere, but it won't be required like if the CH was there. HOW FREAKING AWESOME IS THAT?!?! I'm pretty psyched about it.
In other news, I'm up a pound - or down 9 depending on how you want to look at it - so I didn't get a lecture about needing to gain weight. Norah had a strong steady heartbeat of 131 and that's about it. The office isn't go to remove the high-risk label until after the next fetal echo-cardiogram, but it looks like from here on out, my pregnancy *should* be "normal".
Oh, and, b/c the CH is gone, I do not have to schedule a primary c-section AND can deliver at my hospital! If she has a heart problem, I'll have the option to deliver elsewhere, but it won't be required like if the CH was there. HOW FREAKING AWESOME IS THAT?!?! I'm pretty psyched about it.
In other news, I'm up a pound - or down 9 depending on how you want to look at it - so I didn't get a lecture about needing to gain weight. Norah had a strong steady heartbeat of 131 and that's about it. The office isn't go to remove the high-risk label until after the next fetal echo-cardiogram, but it looks like from here on out, my pregnancy *should* be "normal".
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