Another ultrasound

Yes, I inadvertently lied when I announced the final ultrasound. I had another growth ultrasound on Tuesday to see how big Val is getting. They estimated her weight at 7 lbs., 12 oz. This was at 37 weeks, 4 days. Everything looked fine. As the perinatologist said, I just "make big babies." Then she turned to Sweet LJ and said, "you, too." So, if Val gains a half a pound a week for the next 2.5 weeks--well, you do the math.

Val wouldn't give up the profile shot, but we have a few photos of her chubby cheeks and pointy chin, waving at us.

I was extraordinarily nervous about my appointment with Dr. G the next day, which will be another post.

One last ultrasound

Yesterday we went in for our final ultrasound to check Val's kidneys. At the first ultrasound they detected pyelectasis, a dilation of the kidneys. At the second ultrasound, one kidney was ok and the other was still a little dilated. Yesterday, both kidneys were a little dilated but were in the good range for her gestational age. Yay! The perinatologist was very pleased and didn't schedule another ultrasound.

They estimated her weight at 6 lbs, 1 oz (80th percentile). I'm growing a big one! I'm very happy to know that if she were born today, she'd be a decent size (but please stay in there a little longer, Val.) She was head down with her hands up by her face. She wouldn't turn her head, so we didn't get any good profile photos--just the face-on, alien-looking ones. In one she looks like a little monkey and in one like a jack-o-lantern. Sweet LJ swore he could see teeth. He also made the prediction that she will be born on Valentine's Day, or I will go into labor on Valentine's Day and she'll be born on February 15. (Maybe "Val" will be for Valentine instead of Valdosta.)

I'm so excited but a little sad. I love having her all to myself and knowing where she is all the time. I love that she's with me all day, every day, hanging out with me. I love being at work and feeling her roll around, twirling and flipping, reminding me that there are more important things going on than running statistical reports and outlining a class on how to use PmWiki. I can't wait to meet you, baby girl, but I sure will miss you.

26 weeks, 4 days ultrasound

Yesterday was the follow-up ultrasound to check on the kidney problem detected in the first ultrasound. The problem is pyelectasis, a dilation of one or both kidneys due to too much accumulated fluid. There are numerous possible causes--none of which are preventable--and there is no in-utero treatment. They monitor the size of the kidneys throughout the pregnancy to keep track of whether the condition is getting worse or better.

Her kidneys looked really good! One has gotten smaller and has a normal measurement now, and the other one is the same size as last time--no change, but at least it hasn't enlarged. I can't explain how relieved and peaceful I feel. Part of my relief came from the wonderful perinatologist we saw today. She was much more reassuring than the last one.

Other stats:
Heart rate: 142
Estimated weight: 2 lbs, 6 oz
Other measurements: all normal
Interesting tidbits: We got to see her yawning, waving her arms around, and a nice shot of her femur.

Looks like a sweet little smile to me.

Sorry for the crooked scans. I didn't feel like scanning them again.

Val's first photos

20 weeks, 4 days


(above) Profile shot with head on the left, big round belly on the right, and little arm and hand by the face. You can see the heart nicely in this one (the black spot in the chest).


Cute face!

21 Weeks and The Big U

We had the big ultrasound recently, and everything looked good: A heart with 4 chambers (the doctor said it was a "beautiful heart"), liver, spine, 2 arms, 2 legs, "perfect nose and mouth" (so said the doctor--no clefts), fingers, toes, and 2 kidneys. Val was pretty still the whole time--just cool, hanging out. I'll post the images as soon as I scan them. It was thrilling getting to watch our amazing baby. And we know whether Val is a boy or a girl, but we're waiting a little longer to make the announcement. I'm not trying to torture you; we have a family party planned and are waiting until then.

There were two issues, but one is sort of a non-issue now. The perinatologist asked me the date of my LMP to confirm my due date, and I got confused and told her 5 days earlier than I told my OB long ago at my first visit. (Why they couldn't just call the OB's office down the hall to verify, I don't know.) Anyway, this threw Dr. F all off, because Val--based on my 5-days-earlier estimate--was measuring HUGE: 97th percentile. I explained I was confused and told them the real date, which put Val back on track and healthy but not huge: 79th percentile. This didn't really appease Dr. F, and she's telling the OB that they need to do the gestational diabetes test at my next appointment, which they weren't planning to do until next month. She's worried about the baby being so big (but Val's not, really, so this is the non-issue).

The other issue is that Val might have a minor kidney problem. This could also be a non-issue, and I'll post more once we find out more. If you are a prayerful type, please send one up for Val.

btw, we're not really naming the baby Valdosta. Someone asked that.

Thanks, Julia and Sara for the fun lunch today.