Baby Shower was GREAT!

I had my babyshower Saturday and it was nice. I got some great things for A.J. and it made me get excited for him to be here. I even got a little teary eyed when I saw all the wonderful presents from so many people who care about us. Still trying to figure out where I will stay the week prior to my induction. I only have two weeks before I leave to S.F. Time is flying by.

Latest Ultra Sound Picture of Austin Josiah

A.J. is starting to look more and more like a baby in his pictures. I can't wait to see and hold him :).

Ready for Maternity Leave

Well I guess I spoke too soon in my previous post about my fluid levels being great. The last two NSTs show my fluid levels are high. This usually means the baby has abnormalities, which we know he does, so there really isn't much they will do about it for now. I guess it just means I get to feel even more like a whale and AJ has more liquid to play in (which he loves to do). So far I have managed to only gain 12lbs this whole pregnancy, 4 of the pounds in just these last two weeks (its the fluid & baby, right? ha ha). Anyway, these 4lbs have made a world of difference. I can hardly tie my shoes or get up out of our recliner. I'm starting to feel tired more and losing energy. I am so happy that next week is my last week of work. It will be nice to sleep in and only have doctor appointments to attend. I have to try and take advantage of this time before all the chaos begins ;). My mom joked with me and said "watch, you'll go into labor a week after leave." NOT FUNNY MOM!

Wonderful video that made me cry yet gives me hope

Sofia had the same CDH as my baby. Left Sided with 90% of diaphragm missing with stomach, intestines, and part of liver up. I pray that Austin Josiah will be a fighter like her!



Sofia's CDH Story from Jen Miller on Vimeo.

Twice a week NST

For two weeks or so now I have been going to the hospital in town to have a Fetal Non-Stress test (NST) done twice a week. NST is a non-invasive test performed in pregnancies over 28 weeks gestation. The test is named “non-stress” because no stress is placed on the fetus during the test.

Since I go into the hospital every Tuesday and Friday after work, I've been getting to know the nurses very well (too bad I won't be delivering there). When I arrive I try to peak around to see if any new babies have arrived. I just love newborns! The nurses weigh me (YUK) and then take me to a delivery room where they attach two belts to my abdomen. One to measure fetal heart rate and another to measure contractions. Movement, heart rate and “reactivity” of heart rate to movement is measured for 20-30 minutes, however, it's been taking longer since my baby moves a lot and its hard to get a full 20-30 minutes of constant heart rate. Last Friday I was there for 2 1/2 hours because they did an ultrasound in addition to the NST to check my amniotic fluid level. I was getting impatient and wanting out of there....can only imagine how bad it's going to be when I'm actually having AJ and having to be in the hospital with him for a very long time. Good news is my fluid level and NSTs have been great.

I am getting eager to start maternity leave. As I push week 32, I am noticing my energy level has dropped. I love to cook, however, I haven't even desired to do that lately. I also wonder if it's depression because I am not having a typical pregnancy. Usually at this time in a pregnancy, one would be decorating the nursery, picking out strollers, etc. I am doing some of that but there is so much more focus on the CDH that it's hard to maintain the "normal" excitement.


AJ 34 Weeks

2nd UCSF Appointment - NICU tour

Today we went to UCSF for my follow up appointment. I had another ultra sound and AJ is approximately 3.7lbs now. He is growing quickly! After the ultra sound we met with a social worker and a neonatal specialist to discuss the care for AJ after birth. I guess they have to be very upfront but it sure does sound hopeless sometimes when they talk. I realize my baby has a very severe CDH but it would be nice to hear just a little bit of hope. Towards the end of the conversation the social worker started to come around and sound more positive. I think they finally got the picture that I'm not trying to hear the negative. I know the odds and have mentally prepared myself. I now want to focus on what can be done to save my child!

When we toured the NICU, we were surprised. It wasn't as bad as we thought. I have spent so much time reading about CDH babies that are real sick so I was prepared to see them in person. There were two babies with CDH in the NICU today. One baby was on the ECMO. He was lying there lifeless because while on the ECMO, they give the baby medicine that basically paralyzes him so the lungs can rest. The other baby had been there for 10 weeks. He was born premature and only weighed 3.5lbs at birth. Today he was 7lb 4oz. and had a nasal cannula and feeding tube. He looked great! I was shocked that a CDH baby born so soon would look so good. I'm not sure the severity of either baby as the parents weren't present to ask questions.

After the tour I met with one of the fetal team members. Unfortunately they had two emergency fetal surgeries today so I didn't get to meet more of the team. We discussed the date I would come in to be induced, March 23rd at 8pm. Hopefully all goes well and I will be delivering March 24th. I will be 39 weeks at this point. I hope to stay in S.F. the week prior just in case I go into early labor. The social worker said I wouldn't check into the Ronald McDonald house until after delivery. I have to check with her again to see if there is any way I can stay the week before as well so I don't have to pay for a hotel. I'm sure it'll depend on availability.

 Here's a video clip of AJ yawning.


Definitions:

CDH - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

LCDH - Left Sided Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

LHR - Lung to Head Ratio

NICU - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

ECMO - Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation - A heart-lung by-pass machine that takes over the work of the heart and lungs.

NASAL CANNULA - A special tubing that is used to give oxygen through the nose, making holding and feeding easier.

NG-TUBE - Nasogastric Tube(aka feeding tube) - A plastic tube inserted through the nose into the stomach or intestines to aid in digestion when baby cannot eat by mouth.

30 weeks - baby shower planning

30 weeks now...WOW!

I remember with my other two children, my pregnancy seemed to last forever. Much different experience with this little guy. Time is just flying by! I assume that is because I know he is safe inside me and a part of me doesn't want him to come out because I know that is when all the scary stuff comes. Well I can't think about that. I need to enjoy these last two months. I've decided to have a baby shower next month, Feb. 27th. Even though I have family members willing to put it together, I can't help to get involved since I enjoy planning events. Plus, this will be my first baby shower where I know the sex of the baby. It's going to be a lot of fun!