34 Weeks

I had a NST today, which went well.  It was the third NST in a row that I have been in and out in 20 minutes!!  When the midwife came in to look at my NST strip, she went over lab results from earlier in the week.  The repeat on the 1 hour glucose test was fantastic, so as I suspected, no new onset of Gestational Diabetes.  All of the other blood work, including that associated with the 24 hour urine collection, looked good.  I did my 24 hour collection yesterday into today and returned it when I went for my appointment today, so no results yet, but I don't expect anything out of the ordinary.  We will see what the fluid level looks like on Tuesday, but at this point I will just assume that the extra fluid is either something completely random or benign or a possible side effect of DS if it is present. 

Here is a pic of Beana from Tuesday's ultrasound. 

33 Week Appointment Marathon

We did the BPP, NST and midwife marathon today.  At this point I am pretty sure that Bean is going to come out with a sharpened point on her head...she keeps spinning around like a top.  Last week she was resting comfortably on my right side, today she was all settled in on the right for the BPP and NSP.  She has already spun back around to the right side.  :-)

Scored an 8/8 on the BPP.  No size measurements until next week.  We got an amazing 4D picture of her face, but it's not scanned into the computer yet.  Amniotic fluid is still a bit elevated.  Normal is anywhere from 5-25 cm of fluid (measured by US)...a week ago mine measured at 22 cm.  Today it measured at 27 cm.  So, just to make sure that I have not developed gestational diabetes, I will go in the morning for a 1 hour glucose test.  It is possible that the extra fluid can be completely without cause, as there have been no problems visualized with Bean's kidneys, GI tract or other organs.  It is a problem that is more common in babies with Down Syndrome, as compared to babies without Down Syndrome; so if my glucose test is normal, this could be one more thing that points to the possibility of Bean having Down Syndrome.  Hopefully I hear something from my OB's office tomorrow afternoon about the glucose test. 

NST was very reactive within the normal 20 minute time period.  That's two in a row!

Midwife appointment was pretty uneventful.  We discussed the fluid issue, and some other things.  I will do my third 24 urine collection and related bloodwork (because of my pre-existing hypertension) at the end of the week in conjunction with Friday's NST.  Anything else they might want to check will be dependent upon the results of tomorrow's glucose test. 

It was around this time that some of the very subtle signs of problems with Gracie started to surface; some of them so subtle that they didn't raise any flags or eyebrows until it was basically too late.  I have the smallest feeling of deja vu.  Not in terms of impending death, but just in terms of 'end of the road' issues.  We are so close.  Things have gone without a hitch so far, with the exception of our first trimester screening, and now these little things are going to creep up.  It all just makes me wonder what is really going on in there and what surprises there might be once Bean emerges.  It's getting hard to be patient.  But, I suppose all I can do is wait...

33 Weeks

Had a NST today - that was the only appointment.  It was far and away the best NST that I have had.  Period.  With either baby.  I was hooked up for the minimum of 20 minutes, not a moment longer!  No weight gain since Tuesday, so no further accumulation of fluid in my hands or legs.  :-)   Back to the office on Tuesday for NST, BPP and midwife check. 

Jeff has spoken to Beana close to 10 times over the last couple of days using a real name, so I think we have settled on a first name!  Because I picked Gracie's name more or less without any input, I wanted to let him do Beana's name.  I was also hoping that it would be a little therapeutic and give him a way to bond and feel a little better about this pregnancy.  Now all that's left is picking a middle name...the short list is down to two options!  Yay!!!

Wishing you all a fabulous weekend!

32.5 Week Appointment

We went yesterday for this week's marathon of appointments - BPP, NST and midwife appointment.

The BPP was good.  Bean scored 8/8.  Placenta is still graded as a zero, which means that most of it is still very healthy and functional tissue.  Amniotic fluid level was slightly increased - no big deal at this point.   Bean's size was not measured. 

NST took an hour, but was reactive.  It was better than last week once I got Bean to quit running away from the fetal heart rate monitor.  She had the single best sustained heart rate elevation that I have ever recorded on a NST, Gracie's included.

Midwife appointment was uneventful.  No protein in my urine today, so I must have just been a little under hydrated last week, which I am still trying to figure out.  Blood pressure was good.  I have gained 8 pounds in the last week; I am starting to carry a little fluid in my hands and lower legs, and I think that this probably accounts for most of the 8 pounds.  :-(      If amniotic fluid level is really up a little bit, that might also account for some of that.  The excess fluid during Gracie's pregnancy only lasted a few weeks, so hopefully the same holds true this time.

The greatest news of the week is that I think we might FINALLY be closing in on a real name for Bean.  Exciting stuff.  Once we make the final decision, there will be no disclosure of the name until she make her grand appearance.  Sorry.  :-P 

I go back on Friday this week for a NST.  Otherwise nothing else exciting to report.