Last night, I went on my regular 2-mile stroll through the neighborhood. I had decided that I was going to take a long bath when I got home. But, as I was getting undressed, the phone rang - it was my doctor! She's never called me at home before. She wanted to discuss the last ultrasound results. She said that she wanted me to see a high-risk doctor that would be able to tell her more about the excess fluid that the ultrasound was showing in the baby's bowels. She feared that there may be some sort of obstruction/blockage and thought a high risk doctor could tell her more than the general radiologist that I've been seeing for ultrasounds in the past. Before we got off the phone, I reminded her that I'd see her this morning for my 36 week appointment.
So, this morning, I go in. We do the normal stuff - weight stayed the same, blood pressure up to 128/80 (first time it's moved since I've been pregnant), baby's heartbeat still at 150 bpm, and I'm measuring 40cm!! Then she tested me for Group B strep and checked my cervix. She said that my cervix was "pretty soft" but "closed". Slightly disappointing to me but, she said for 36 weeks, I'm on track. Then we wrapped it up and she said that she would have her nurse make an appointment with the high-risk doctor so that we would at least know when we would get to find out more about our baby's condition. So, we waited and the nurse finally told us that we could go straight over there. It only involved taking an elevator from the 10th floor down to the 7th floor so, we went.
It was initially very annoying to have to show insurance and fill out paperwork and stuff. But, they got us in to the doctor in about 20 minutes, including paperwork time. The doctor started taking a look at the baby. She mentioned the regular stuff that we've heard already - lots of hair, beautiful brain, 4-chamber heart, perfect spine, even estimated her at 6 lbs, 3 oz again (I think this ultrasound estimate was more reliable)...but, she also agreed that there appeared to be some sort of blockage in her bowels/intestines. She even mentioned something about an enlarged colon - in terms that we couldn't understand, of course. But, the one thing we do understand is that she hopes it's just an obstruction that can easily be cleared but, they have to get her out of me and examine her with x-rays, etc. All they can tell from the ultrasound is that she isn't eliminating like she should be - no real indication of why. So, the doctor started by saying that I shouldn't stay pregnant to my due date. Then decided that I would probably need to have this baby this week or next week. And certainly not be pregnant for more than 2 more weeks!! Then she called my regular doctor while we were still there. My doctor agreed with her and said that she would call me tonight to start discussing options. I'm hoping that we can hold out long enough for me to dilate some on my own - unless they think a c-section is the way to go since there's an "unknown" condition in the baby.
I cried like a baby when I left that office - good thing my husband was with me. I know everything will be fine and I'm ultra excited about the prospect of meeting this little girl so very soon but, I don't want anything to be really wrong with her. I don't want her to have to undergo surgery as a newborn! I don't want her to be taken away from me in the hospital!! I don't want her to spend alot of time in the hospital!! I just have to remind myself that she is going to be fine. This time next month, this will all be settled and she will be a normal, healthy little girl. I am not worried about it and I totally trust God for healing her but, it just makes me sad that she could be uncomfortable or in pain or anything like that.
My husband's response was very different. He started to worry about all of the things that he wants to get done around the house before she gets here. It's funny but, his nesting instinct is so much stronger than mine!! He has sworn off any activities that we had planned during the evenings this week - he's preparing for his little girl! :)
So, maybe we'll know even more about the specifics of delivery after we talk to my doctor tonight...meanwhile I'm teetering between excited and scared to death!!
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