11/03/2008

Doctor appointment

A few of you have emailed asking how things are going with the pregnancy now that i'm getting further along. Well, i went to the doctor on Tuesday and she noticed that i'm measuring 5 weeks behind so she decided to do an ultrasound to make sure Natalie is growing appropriately and to make sure my amniotic fluid level is okay.
We had the ultrasound done and her size is fine - she's 4lbs give or take 10oz. Her heartrate was 151bpm. My amniotic fluid is a little high (I had the same thing with Tommy). The only reason we can come up with for me measuring 5 weeks behind is that she is breech. The doctor said that it is common to carry differently when the baby is breech.
They also found a problem with one of her kidneys. The renal tube that goes into the kidney is dilated to 8mm. Normal is 4mm. It could be a fluke or it could be a problem that we will have to deal with after she's born. I go back in on December 2nd for another ultrasound to check it again. If it is the same or higher, they will have to do an ultrasound after birth. If after birth, it doesn't correct itself, she will have to have surgery to put a stint in. If the size reduces, we may be able to just watch her for infections.
It's very possible that it is just a fluke, but it's something that the doctors need to keep an eye on b/c if we ignore it (or had never found it) and it is a real problem, the dilation could cause the kidney to become flooded at some point.
I'm not too worried at this point b/c based on the level of amniotic fluid, her urine output is fine. I'm really glad that i was measuring behind so that they could find it and monitor her more closely. So, i will know more as of Dec 2nd.
Also at that appointment, we should know if she has flipped to head-down position. If not, we will schedule a c-section, which i really don't want to have so i'm hoping she flips. I'm doing some "exercises" to try and coax her to flip, so we'll see. The doctor will not do an external version on me b/c with the high amniotic fluid, the risk of placental abruption, breaking water, and cord prolapse is higher. So we just have to talk Natalie into moving. :)

1 comment:

melissa said...

I hope Natalies kidneys are ok. I will be praying for her Christy. Glad they found it now, so they can be prepared. Also I'm hoping that she will turn so you can have a vaginal birth as well. Good luck!