My mind is a mess right now. I hate to say it but I think I'm actually getting depressed from yesterday's OB news. Probably quite understandable.
Before I left JBLM baby girl was fine at the 47th percentile. Yesterday not so good. Overall she was only in the 27th percentile for weight and her head was only measuring in the 9th percentile. The high risk OB is worried but says that there is nothing that I could do or can do.
We are now hoping that I make it to the 34th week and that she continues to grow. She only gained a pound in the last month. She now weighs 3 lbs 13 ounces which is about a week behind for weight as she should be weighing about 4 lbs 4 ounces.
I'm not really worried about the weight. I didn't expect a 9 pound baby. I was only 6 pounds 4 ounces at birth and my husband was something like 7 pounds 13 ounces. With the fact that I haven't gained weight, but the doctors were fine with that I also knew she wasn't going to be huge except for her big hands and feet which are a trait in my husband's family.
Yes, after yesterday's appointment the OB staff is almost positive J is the genetic father and it isn't the donor embryo but the donor egg with his gametes that took. The donor embryo had tall genetics in it. The donor egg lady was only 5'3" and J is only 5'8". The women in J's family have slightly above average shoe and glove sizes though most are only about 5'3" in height.
We are also hoping that maybe our daughter will just be petite?
The head size is what is scary. Next week they'll be taking an in-depth look at my daughter's umbilical cord to see if there are any possible defects. The only other thing that could have caused her head to be so small besides a defect in her umbilical cord would be the hypertension issue. But the hypertension was there before I got pregnant and well controlled on the medicine I've been taking for the past 5 years.
The problem with the head size is that it could mean developmental defects. I will still love her even if she isn't "perfect" to the humans of the world. She is mine. Damn it I want to cry. I just want the best for her and I know I tried to do just that by really watching my diet closely and relaxing during stressful situations. But there are just things that we cannot control.
Please God just let her continue to grow and stay inside of me long enough so that she comes out healthy. Please?
(hugs) Thinking of you and hoping that they can give you some reassurance after the in depth scan. I can only imagine how scared/worried you must be.
ReplyDeleteMy regular OB today told me all the bell curve today being normal is 10 to 90. Um, yeah I know that but her head is 9 which is below normal doc. He had yet to receive the paperwork from the high risk OB from yesterday.
DeleteI'm sorry Rebecca that you have this sitting before you, I'm not you I don't know how you feel but all my pregnancies were fearful and honestly every time I went to ob I left hanging off a cliff, I will pray chant send vibes what ever to give you and j strength peace and courage to endure this journey, wisdom to be where you need to be and be the advocate parents have to be to these precious little people. You staying healthy and getting this little girl here is all that matters...life in its glory will all be there when you arrive. Keep us updated and take it day by day and minute by minute if the day becomes too much...I can't remember but did you tell us her name? I was thinking no but just was wondering...I'm no rocket science guru but her last us pics she looked awful cute I know from my experience I needed to have several us before I felt confident with some of the measurements because depending on position tech equipment etc there did seem to be variables that made a difference...hope you can enjoy your day.
ReplyDeleteWe still haven't decided on a name. We are going to take our list of about 12 names with us to the birthing room.
DeleteThose measurements are also just an estimate. I wouldn't put too much stock in it and try not to worry.
DeleteKim
Praying for you.
ReplyDeleteYou have to take these scans with a grain of salt...a BIG one. It is very far from an exact science. A stand in OB measured my daughter a few days before the scheduled C section to determine the incision size. He was off by a POUND and several cm's in length. My doc had to enlarge the incision by a lot and he was not happy. They also never did get a definitive gender scan, so we brought two sets of clothes with us. I could regale you with all the scan f@#k UPS, but lets just say that there is a very good chance that your daughter is small but normal. I spent months worrying about a calcification in one boy's heart which was mis- scanned.
ReplyDeleteKeeping of praying for the health of the baby as well as yours and most especially take extra good care of yourself.
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It's almost impossible, but try not to stress yourself. Those weights and measurements are really just estimates. On the morning I delivered they did an ultrasound and said she was measuring 8lbs, 2 oz. When I delivered her less than 24 hours later she was 6lb 13oz. If there is nothing you can do and you will love her the same, then just keep doing what you have been doing :)
ReplyDeleteI did some research on the low third trimester head circumference issue. From what I could gather the biggest risk is to babies with an HC significantly under the 5% ratio. An isolated low HC measurement with no other problems noted was at low risk for abnormalities at birth. I hope this can provide some reassurance to you.
ReplyDeletePraying for you!
ReplyDeleteDo you remember my story? The told me that my baby girl's head was too small and that her skull had prematurely fused together. They also said she was too small in all her measurements except for her femur...weeks behind, they said. She came out perfect. She has a more narrow head like her father. She was proportionate and perfect. Try not to worry about the numbers too much. I know it's hard but those scans are not 100% accurate. I know plenty of people (me included) that had their babies weight thrown off by as much as a pound, too. They said my baby was a pound bigger than she was and my friend's baby was over a pound heavier than estimated. Keep the faith and try not to worry. (((Hugs!)))
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry you are having to worry about baby girl. Having been thought it myself during my pregnancy from 13 weeks onwards I know how tough it can be. The measurements are not always accurate. I was told B would be 6lbs something she was almost 8lbs! So just keep the faith.
ReplyDelete(((HUGS))) Hoping for a good outcome, and with any luck a good next appointment so you can put some of the fears to rest. xoxo
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