My "halfway" Dr Appt Update and my Goodbye ...

I saw my OB! Finally! Every appointment has been the NP (which I don't mind since I do like them both) because my OB has gotten called out on emergencies each time. When he walked in I was all "oh, amazing to actually see you" and he said "Yeah, they've been keeping me away from you!".

My OB is so awesome, I love him so very much. I saw him ~every visit~ for the first two babies, so it's just strange not to see him. He's just so very popular now!

Anywho - Dr's appointment went swimmingly.

~ I've gained 2.5 lbs total. He started to tell me I need to gain more but I reminded him I was up 12 lbs from the fertility treatments so he agreed my body was using that extra weight up until now. So really, I'm up 14.5 lbs from normal pre-IVF, just only 2.5lbs from pregnancy. He wants to see some gaining now though, but at least he's counting the IF weight gain. He said a pound per week from now on would be perfect, but he knows my body gained 50lbs each time, so he'd allow more without being worried.

~ My ute is measuring 21cms, so for being 19w5d, I'm measuring a week ahead.

~ Peapod's heartrate was 152bpm

And now for the VCI (velamentous cord insertion) questions/answers (more for my info):

~ Peapod will be getting growth scans starting when?
--- I'm scheduled to start them at 24 weeks (oct 2nd). He'll decide how often after that appointment.

~What if the baby is on the small side due to VCI? Will the baby be taken early? What would be the earliest?
--- He said he's never seen this happen and doesn't even consider it to be worth thinking about right now. But if the baby is small, it'll be decided then, not now.

~ If the baby is taken early, will I be induced or will a c-section be necessary?
--- Depends how early. After 37 weeks, it would most likely be a vaginal induction.

~ During delivery, will I definitely be able to do a vaginal birth?
--- Yes.

~ Is there anything that would necessitate a c-section regarding VCI?
--- It would depend on how the baby tolerates the labor.

~ Due to the delivery of a placenta with VCI, what will happen if the cord does detach? Will we still try to manually extract it? Or will emergency surgery be necessary?
--- He would first try to manually extract. Surgery would be next step.

Cord Compression specific questions:

~ Will laying on left side help due to it being on the right side?
--- "Theoretically, no" was his answer. If there is a normal amount of fluid, the baby would be cushioned by the fluid and laying on either side wouldn't matter. If there is low fluid conditions, a different approach may be given.

~ What is the risk of stillbirth for general public?
--- He quoted a statistic from the March of Dimes which has a general number of "1 in 200 pregnancies results in stillbirth". That is .5% and with this VCI issue, I was given a 1% chance. Although it's double the general public, it's still very low.

~ Can I do anything to decrease this risk?
--- I will be starting weekly BPPs (biophysical profiles) starting at 24 weeks (Oct 2nd) and they will continue through delivery. This will keep a close eye on the heartrate of the baby to see if he is compressing his cord at all during normal conditions. This timing my increase based upon the results.

~ If the baby is showing signs of compressing his own cord, how early would he be taken?
--- He explained that the first thing he would do would be to put me in the hospital to monitor the baby 24 hours a day. He would then be able to come up with a plan based upon that. He would not simply just take the baby based upon a normal BPP.

Based on my OB's feedback, I feel so much better! He said the VCI wasn't that rare and due to the position of mine, he doesn't think there will be any problems. He seemed so blah about it, which really helped me relax. But then again, he is going to keep a close eye on it, just in case. It'll mean a lot of trips to the OB, but totally worth it to me. And I love the fact that blips on the regular BPPs would mean 24 hour monitoring. Whew. Okay, I'm not as terrified anymore.

I leave for Phoenix in the morning and I most likely won't have any internet access when I make it up to Pine. I'm not bringing my laptop and I'm sure the cabin won't have a computer available. So it's goodbye for the next week, BUT ... I'm going to change up the format of this blog while I'm gone. Number one, I'm taking ~off~ moderated comments, so they will appear immediately. Number two, I'm pre-scheduling 6 posts (one per day) in which a question will be asked. So there will be something to read each day while I'm gone.

(Also, I did update my belly picture early, so the new one is over to the right. Thanks to those who told me you did look for the new picture!)

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

And a special note to miss soulbliss ... I hope you find some peace over the next few days. This baby in my belly measured 4 days behind, but I do understand your fears due to your past experiences. I've got my own little nickname for him ... Mirakel. It means miracle in Norwegian. And while I don't think he needs a miracle to keep on growing, I think he will simply be your little miracle. The miracle you'll need to rid yourself of the understandable fear you have in your heart. He's your miracle growing in your belly right now and soon enough you'll be able to let go and encompass him in love, no longer feeling encased in apprehension and dread. Mirakel is strong enough to take all that away from you, he just needs a little more time to show you just how strong he is.