Final Update on Emdrew's Umbilical Cord Issue?

A. and I went to get another ultrasound from the Perinatologist / Maternal-Fetal Health Specialist this afternoon to monitor the baby's growth and umbilical cord insertion. Incidentally, my OB was also at the hospital, and someone must have informed her that we were there because she wandered in during my ultrasound. It was comforting to me that both doctors were able to look at the same screen and talk about what they were seeing.

The consensus: it seems that this kid and I are making the best of our situation. Phew! Although the cord is pretty clearly velamentous (see my "Not Good News" post for an explanation), the placenta and cord have moved well away from the cervix. This means that the cord is not at increased risk of rupturing when my water breaks.

And most importantly, the cord has not yet failed to supply the baby with an adequate blood supply. The doctor estimated that she currently weighs a whopping 4 pounds and 4 ounces, which is very average for her age. My OB and I were somewhat concerned by the fact that I hadn't gained much weight in recent weeks, but it hasn't apparently slowed bambina down at all. The Perinatologist just chided A. for not taking me out often enough and sent us on our way.

We promptly feasted on Indian food and headed home to prepare for a full weekend of childbirth classes (to which A. is thoroughly looking forward). My sense is that I won't be having any extra ultrasounds, and that this pregnancy will be regarded as largely normal from here on. Hooray! Now to get the next six to nine weeks over with...

Oh yeah, the ultrasound technician also showed A. and I that QM is working on a nice little crop of head hair. I'm sure she'll rub it all off in no time, but hey, hair's nice. Bets on the color, anyone?

The 8? Month Bump

Here am I just shy of 32 weeks now. This time a full four weeks have passed since the last photo in this series.

Some would argue that this isn't truly 8 months yet because when you count it out in 4 week increments a pregnancy is 10 months long. In any case, I've potentially got about two more months to go. So near and yet so far...

QM's first sojourn to New England

This past weekend A. and I took advantage of a truly rare event: a long weekend between A.'s rotations. So, after he finished his exam on Friday, we piled into a rental car and drove up to New Hampshire. A.'s family has had the great good fortune of inheriting the 1830s farmhouse pictured here, and we try to spend several weeks here every year (albeit with varying success). Though the mosquitoes and black flies were numerous, it was too chilly/rainy to take our kayak out on the nearby lake, and our stay was far too short, we were very very happy to be there.

Emdrew's first two days up here were spent listening to the hummingbirds at the feeder by the porch, sloshing along as we enjoyed a short hike, napping, and digesting hot cocoa alongside a warm fire. She also had the privilege of accompanying us as we shopped for footie pajamas and listening as we discussed our plans to plant a tree in her honor at length. We tried to get her to weigh in on tree varieties and locations by way of the old "kick once for yes, twice for no" method, but she seems to be withholding judgement until she can see for herself.

I'm nearly 31 weeks (out of 40) along here; so again, three weeks have passed since the last bump photo. Note how the babe is already gravitating towards that tire swing.

The 6.75 Month Bump

We went ahead and took our monthly photo early this week since I wanted other photos for an animation assignment at school.

So, as circumstances would have it, all three of these "bump" photos are spaced three weeks apart (this being 27 weeks). It's pretty astonishing to me how much I've visibly grown in recent weeks, despite the fact that my weight gain has been pretty consistent throughout.

Update on Emdrew's Health

Well, today's events were rather unanticipated for bambina and me, but positive nevertheless.

At my routine visit to the obstetrician today, I mentioned that I thought the baby's kicks were less strong in recent days. Apparently this observation along with kiddo's umbilical cord situation was enough to prompt my doctor to send me straight off to the perinatologist (e.g. the ultrasound/maternal and fetal health specialist) at St. Vincent's. So, after hurriedly rescheduling and excusing myself from my afternoon commitments, I hauled myself over to the hospital (feeling mildly ill, incidentally, from the glucose tolerance test I was forced to endure this morning).

Several hours of waiting, ultrasounding, and fetal heart monitoring later, we're both perfectly fine. The umbilical cord is looking more 'marginal' than 'velamentous', thankfully, and Emdrew has put on a second pound during the past five weeks. My OB suggested that it's likely that I'm not feeling her kicks as strongly because of her position (breech). And in truth, even if I'm not receiving many good hard kicks to the gut this week, she is, no doubt, rather fond of tap dancing on my bladder...

Some would argue that today marks the first day of my third trimester. Let's hope we're merely in for the anticipated variety of events from here on out.

The Six Month Bump

This photo was taken today (April 12th). I'm 24 weeks here (e.g. it's been three weeks since the last shot), and glassy-eyed from an oncoming cold.

The Five Month Bump

Andrew took this photo on March 22nd. At the time, I believed myself 20 weeks along, but I guess the new due date would make this 21.