37 weeks

So after making me sit in the waiting room for an hour I finally had my follow up growth ultrasound yesterday. Two weeks ago lo was measuring 5 lbs 1 oz. and we needed to see descent weight gain otherwise the dr wants to induce. So the tech takes the measurements and gets 5 lbs 6 oz, not good enough. Then she says she wants to measure again and "stretched it" to 5 lbs 8 oz. So then the dr comes in (not my regular dr) and he says he's not too happy with the weight gain and wants to remeasure. He measures three times and says he "was able to get me to 6lbs". So I asked him if she is actually 6lbs or is that stretched to show more growth and he said that the measurements are just estimates anyways. Well WTF is that supposed to mean? 

While I was on the table I had three contractions in 40 mins. On the last contraction he asked me if I realized that I was having a contraction, which I said yes (gee thanks asshat, is that what that intense cramping was?) Then he asked me if I had planned to stay close to home for Thanksgiving because lo may decide to come this weekend. I asked him what his thoughts on induction were and he stuttered, told me to ask my regular OB at my appt today and then said he thought no because he thought I'd likely go on my own. 

 So I left basically feeling like the 6lb measurement was bullshit and the first measurement was most accurate since they weren't "trying" to get me anywhere. I was having pretty consistent contractions all yesterday afternoon but wasn't timing them. I started timing them last night and they were about 15 mins apart but then stopped.

So I met with my regular OB today and I explained how they "stretched" the measurements. She guessed that maybe that dr felt I was going to go on my own before we scheduled an induction so maybe he was trying to give me a higher weight to try and make me feel better, who knows. But regardless she said we were going to approach this with the initial measurement of 5 lbs 6oz. So because there was some growth (which was not the greatest) she doesn't want to induce immediately especially since the BPP ultrasound and stress test I had last week were excellent (lungs, heart rate, etc). I was 1 cm dilated 50% effaced last week and today I was 2cm still 50% effaced so she thinks I will go on my own probably within the next week or so since I've been having regular contractions. She wants to do a bpp and growth ultrasound first thing Monday and go from there. If she still hasn't shown significant growth then we'll induce at 39 weeks (if I'm still pregnant by then). So I feel better after talking to her and that we have a plan. 

35 weeks

So I went for the follow up ultrasound and it went ok. Little girl was actually squished up against the cyst so it was hard to get a good measurement. It appears though that it hasn't changed and there is still excellent blood flow throughout the cord. 

So that is the good news BUT little girl is measuring even smaller. She dropped to the 12th percentile and is estimated at 5 lbs 1 oz. The doctors are concerned she is not gaining as she should be and want me to come back for another ultrasound in two weeks. They do believe she is small because she is just a small baby and not because the cyst is effecting the function of the placenta. Her head, abdomen, and leg bone measurements are all proportionate to each other, which is a great sign. They were having trouble getting a good head measurement because she is already in position with her facing towards my back and her head way down. We also watched her lung function for a while and could see her breathing in and out. This is another great sign because it indicates that the lungs are maturing and she is getting plenty of oxygen to the brain. If when I go back in two weeks there is little to no growth though then we will have to talk induction because at that point she would be better off on the outside then in.

I had my regular check up with my OB today and she was not very concerned. She said small does not mean unhealthy. Just because she is little does not mean she will have breathing/lung issues (which I was concerned with since my hospital doesn't have a NICU). Sometimes when they are little they can have issues regulating her body temp so if that happens then she may have to spend a little time in the incubator. 

She also did another ultrasound today to check fluid levels since I've been having a lot of contractions lately and a little fluid appearing. Everything looked perfect though and we got to see that little girl has a good 1/2" of hair already! She also did the strep B test and an internal. I am not dilated at all but she is still in position. 

I continue to have joint pain and swelling and can't really bend my ankles or knees without pain. My hands and fingers go numb during the night and I'm up to pee constantly. The heartburn is killer and is triggered by anything and everything I eat. 

The nursery is done and I just have to finish packing my hospital bag. I'm so ready for her to be here already! Now if we could only figure out a name.