How big will Finley be?

Adam and I went to our regular Monday maternal-fetal specialist appointment yesterday and had the biophysical profile and ultrasound. The technician asked when the last time we had the weight estimated after I inquired about it and I told her about 3 1/2 weeks ago, so she said she would do it. She has to do a little more measuring to do this.

Well everything was great, praise the Lord! She did her 30 second practice breathing and was moving around like she was dancing. She measures ahead in all classes..head, tummy, bones, everything. Her head is very low and I have started feeling increased pressure in the past few days. My fluid levels were the same as they had been the last 2 times, which is also good. I am just glad they haven't gotten lower. Anyway, Finley was estimated to be 8 lbs. and 6 oz. yesterday!!!! Yikes!! I was like OMG! I still have around 3 weeks to go. Of course, now they are watching that because I would like to avoid a C-section if possible and I would prefer not to push out a 9- 10 pound baby!!

We go back on Thursday afternoon for the same tests and then I go in next Monday, May 4th to my regular doctor to discuss induction and to be checked to see if I am thinned out or dilated any. They both agree for induction at 39 weeks which is a week from this Friday, so I am thinking she would want to do it that next Monday to avoid the weekend since she will not be on call. Who knows? But time is winding down and I still have so much to do.

Another thing. What are things that you would tell a first timer to take to the hospital that you wish you would have brought or forgot? I know about the usual, but some have told me 1-2 things that you HAVE to take for yourself or baby. I need to prepare my bag!!

Another Update

Sorry I didn't update from our specialist appointment from April 23rd. It was pretty uneventful, which I think is good. We had the ultrasound and biophysical profile again. She was moving around really well as usual and she did her practice breathing. My fluid levels were the exact same as Monday, didn't go up or down. I go back on Monday for the same thing.

I am feeling pretty well overall, it's just hard to sit and rest. Really hard. But then all I have to do is think of the reason why I am doing it and it makes everything better. Thanks for all the love and prayers. I will let you know how we do tomorrow.

Specialist Appointment from Today

Well, Adam and I went back to the maternal-fetal specialist again today. We had the biophysical profile done again with ultrasound. Finley looked good but it took her a little while to do her practice breathing. She has to breathe for 30 seconds at one time. They give her 30 minutes to do this and she also has to move a certain amount of times. She was dancing and wiggling all around today, so that was no problem. Her heart rate was good and sounded beautiful in the 160's and my blood pressure was 120/70. My fluid levels have dropped again, though, so the doctor insisted that I do nothing but rest. This is so hard because there is so much left to do, but I will get through it. Poor Adam...that is all I have to say about that.

I have to go back on Thursday to have the same things done again. Hopefully my fluid levels will increase because he said that he would, of course, send me to the hospital to have her most likely if not. Also, my regular doctor said last Thursday when I saw her that she wants to induce me around 39 weeks if I haven't went into labor by then. She doesn't want me to end up with an on call doctor that doesn't know our situation and she wants everything to be "controlled" as she put it. Also, Finley will have to be taken to be tested for the virus and monitored after birth, and that's another reason. So, we shall see what happens. I will let everyone know how it goes Thursday. See you then!!!!

Specialist Appointment #2

Well, Adam and I just got back from seeing the maternal-fetal specialist and I am glad to say we got a good report. They did a biophysical profile on Finley and she did good. She kicked around and moved and also had "excellent practice breathing" according to the ultrasound technician. My fluid levels increased from last week and the placenta and umbilical cord seemed to be functioning good with good blood flow.

I remain out of work, probably until I have her and I have to "take it easy" still. They said that me resting is helping the amniotic fluid increase and also the crazy amount of water I have been drinking the past couple of days. My blood work was good and the anti-viral medication does not seem to be effecting me in a negative way. So, we both seem to be hanging in there and I don't have to go back to the specialist until next Monday since I am going to my regular OB this Thursday. I will have another ultrasound and non-stress test at the appointment.

Thanks so much for all the posts and phone calls and especially the prayers. I know that is what is helping the most and God will be given the Glory no matter what happens. It is all in His hands. Once again, I love you all and will let you know how the next appointment goes.

Update from Specialist Appointment

Well, Adam and I went to the high-risk OB on Wednesday. They started out by doing a very detailed ultrasound, then I saw the nurse, and then the doctor. We really love this doctor. He was very knowledgeable and attentive to us and explained everything more than once.

The ultrasound showed that everything was slightly ahead of schedule as far as her growth and she weighed 6 POUNDS!!! She is going to be a chunker I think. As far as they could tell by the ultrasound, she has not been affected by the CMV virus that I have, but there is no sure way to tell. However, my amniotic fluid was low so I remain out of work and I am supposed "to rest and take it easy", which is so hard at times. My fluid being low can be for a number of reasons. It could possibly be a result of the virus going into my placenta or I just need to drink more fluids or a bunch of other things.

I was also started on an anti-viral drug for 14 days to help me get over the virus and hopefully have some added protection for her. I am nervous because I hate medication and also because it is practically never used in pregnancy and there is no research on it. I will be going to this high-risk OB twice a week having ultrasounds and NST's done, seeing my regular OB weekly and having weekly blood work. He said that if at anytime I come in and the baby has changed in any way, or my fluid levels have dropped, then they will go ahead and take the baby. That scares me but I know they are doing what is best for Finley. The weekly blood work is to make sure that the medication they put me on is not affecting me negatively. It can cause a decrease in my white blood cells, an increase in my liver enzymes, and effect my platelets to a point to where my blood will not clot. They also stressed doing daily kick counts. I did this yesterday and did not feel comfortable with the number, so I went to L&D last night and was monitored. Of course, everything was fine and the nurse said I had a textbook, perfect strip. It did give us both piece of mind, but I hate that I have become paranoid over all of this.

Overall, I am feeling slightly better. Just please continue to pray that she does not contract this virus and my weekly appointments remain good with continued growth on the ultrasounds. Also for her to stay "baking" in there for as long as possible and my fluid levels to rise.

I will update after each appointment. Thanks again for everything. Hopefully I will have some pictures of the up and coming nursery soon. Adam plans to paint today but our crib will not be in until around May 8th!!! Yikes!! But we will get through it!

Update and Prayer Request

Okay, so I know I have not updated my blog in a while. I have not been able to upload any pictures because my husband's laptop is broken right now. I am on a spare one from his work so I thought I would just give you a few words to let you know what is going on and as soon as I can, I will post all the pictures of my trip home, my dogs and my first 2 baby showers, which were great by the way.

Right now, I will let you know about what is currently going on with the pregnancy. When I returned home from my trip home for my baby showers a few weeks ago, I started to feel extremely tired, like exhausted really. I wasn't able to work the next weekend and was told I had the flu. It was rough for several days but my sweet husband took very good care of me. I returned to work for 2 days that week but it was very difficult for me to work due to exhaustion, dizziness and lack of concentration. I worked last weekend and basically slept all day on Monday. After taking a shower Tuesday morning, I had to crawl out because I just could not stand up. I went to the doctor who performed every blood test and culture out there. She called me yesterday (Friday) afternoon and told me that I had been exposed to and infected with CMV (cytomegalovirus). This is the most commonly transmitted virus in pregnancy that I did not know about. I have no idea where I got it. The blood test showed that my body is attempting to fight it off and that an antibody has converted that fights off the infection and protects the baby, but we just cannot be sure. I went for more blood work late yesterday afternoon and will be seen by a high risk OB next week and have an ultrasound to check the baby.

There are so many things that can happen if transmission to Finley has happened. Things like developmental delays, mental retardation and deafness can occur within the first year. But if nothing shows within the first year or at birth, then usually the baby is in the clear. I know this sounds extreme, I am just giving you some of the facts the COULD happen and of things that are in the back of my mind. I am just anxiously awaiting the appointment next week with the high risk OB so he can go over everything with us and do the ultrasound. I just want to see her on the ultrasound and for someone to say..."Everything remains normal with Finley and her development and there is no reason to believe that she has acquired the virus."

My prayer is that she is protected and will stay protected and there will be no transmission to her at all and no long term effects. I ask all of you to pray for this also if you feel lead to. Thank you all so much for your prayers and support in advance and I love you!!!