Still here and Pregnant!

[anathor21]

Been a while since last post - things are much the same, still have slowly rising protein levels as well as slightly higher BP each week.

Only interesting thing to note/ask about is U/S size - we've been going every 3 weeks for growth check. Previous two checks (6 and 3 weeks ago) put him right about 80th percentile (I think it was 82 and 78). Today he came in at 50th. Now I understand that 50th is right on "perfectly normal/average" BUT seems to me that dropping from previous is not a good thing - am I reading too much into this? Anyone have anything to share on this? We meet with the OB again on Friday so I'll be asking then anyway, but curious if anyone has insight to share (and perhaps additional things we should ask about)

Anyway, overall everyone is pretty comfortable with our progress... up to 2X weekly blood and 24hr tests (lab folks know DW very well now). Excited to be almost to "full term" - one more week and we can stop worrying about having to drive an hour to get to the hosptial... Two more weeks and folks will wonder what all this fuss was about anyway..

[annes]

Congrats on 35 weeks. I have no info about the growth, hope your Dr. has some satisfactory answers. Good Luck!

[melissam]

This is great!!!! You are so close now. I think the results from the U/S are great. I think he started out a good size and is either evening out or there may really be some issues with IUGR. Hopefully it is nothing to worry about. I know they are really only concerned if you get below 10% or over 90%.

Hoping that everything continues to go well. Thanks for the update.

[akemt]

I would ask if the stomach measurement is behind the head and femur measurements, since the stomach is the first to shrink. But, obviously some difference is normal. I think, from my own experience, that it is only when the stomach falls over 3 weeks behind that they start to worry about IUGR. And yah, 50th percentile is still in perfectly normal range, so while I understand your concern, your doctor might not.

I'm so glad to hear that everything is still moving slowly and that 1 more week will see you at full term! Keep up the good work you two!

[lorelei]

Glad to hear the update.

So glad you've hit 35 weeks..that's just great!

[lucy]

Glad to see your update 35 weeks is great, you guys hang in there! Good luck

[rachel a]

I am sure glad to see this update...I'm late reading it, but otherwise, glad!

Yep, 50% is still okay, but it's definitely something the doctors are obviously watching (hence the frequent u/s).

I am so happy for all of you!

Please update again soon!

[gordon k]

Sorry for the late response...

Unfortunately I can't provide any insight into the change in the growth of your child. I know that there were several times that the ultra-sound showed an "anomaly" during my wife's pregnancy, but never an instance that caused our perinatologist any concern (and our twins were born healthy). Hopefully your OB has the same reaction...no big deal.

You're really getting to the point where you can relax a little (35, now 36 weeks), but remain vigilant. I know that I breathed a mental sigh of relief at the 36 week mark. However, the job isn't over, it's just changed.

Continue to keep the babies and mom healthy and happy, you'll be over the hump before you know it and your direct attention to this pregnancy can only help ensure a successful outcome.

[anathor21]

Well, things are still going well - although protein levels go up and down a bit the trend is definitly upwards - hit 595 last week, then down in the 400's Tuesday... another one tomorrow. So far blood work has not been overly remarkable although platelets seems to be on the lower side of normal (floating around 160). Oh well. BP has also trended very slowly upwards as it has been all along.. still not alarmng (high today was like 148/86).

Yes, we are happy to be at the magic 36 week mark. This means that we'll be delivering in our local hospital unless something really dramatic happens - then we'll deliver here and transport out I imagine, but that's a slim chance I'm sure. Our OB seems rather pleased that we made it this far, but there is still some concern. Regarding the growth - everything is in line for the most part (slightly large head) so she is not worried at this point - basically shrugged off any concern since things are relatively proportional and who can really get upset with 50th percentile anyway eh?

Looking forward to 10/5 - scheduled c-section (had two already, no option for voluntary VBAC).

Since I can't post without some sort of question... Question of the moment - anyone know what the criteria are for mag at delivery? If I remember Friday I'll ask our OB but looking for a hint ahead of time...

Still going (the energizer bunny pregnancy I think I'll call this one...)

[gordon k]

Wonderful to hit that 36 week mark, ain't it? Glad to hear that you're still going like the "energizer bunny."

(PLEASE don't quote me on exacts here, this is the best that I remembered it after being up all night with my wife in labor.) Norlisa got put on magnesium sulfate about five or six hours before the twins were delivered (I think it was about six hours, the sun just came up and she delivered at 11:22 & 11:28 am). Her blood pressure hit ~ 150something/90something of sorts, but the magnesium sulfate brought her blood pressures down beautifully. (She had also stayed on her atenolol faithfully thoughout the pregnancy.)

Great to see the finish line, isn't it? Keeping you in our prayers for the very best.