Hello all! I didn't realize it had been so long since I have blogged. We have had little news to report. I see a doctor 3 times a week now. I see the high-risk specialist twice a week and my regular OB once a week. We are watching a few things; the size of the mass, the effect the mass is having on Ruthie, and the amount of amniotic fluid I am accumulating. So far, the mass is growing a little bit. There for a while it was plateaued but it is now growing again. Even though the mass is growing, it hasn't seemed to be effecting her badly. It is large enough to be shifting her heart to the left. Also, it is pressing on her esophagus making it more difficult for her to swallow amniotic fluid. That is what is causing the level of amniotic fluid to rise. But these things are not super-threatening for her or for me. If the amniotic fluid rises too much, as it has before, I am at risk for preterm labor. That's why they have drained me before. But as for now, I am staying about the same fluid level; high but not dangerous. At each appointment, we determine if we need to drain anymore fluid and if the mass is causing any problems that are bad for Ruthie.
We have discussed delivery of sweet Ruthie. There is no way to know what her breathing ability will be when she is born. Her right lung is most likely compromised and we have no idea what her left lung is going to look like. We have several options but have no definite plans for now. It looks like the most likely birth is something called an exit procedure. An exit procedure is a c-section where they will intubate (put in a breathing tube) her before disconnecting her from me. This will ensure that she is never without oxygen and her breathing is controlled immediately. She will then most likely have surgery to remove the mass from the right side. It may require removing some or all of her right lung as well. Even if they have to remove the whole lung, if her left lung is okay (which they think it is), she will have a fairly normal life; playing sports, running, jumping and such.
I'm currently at 33 weeks. They typically arrange exit procedures at 38 weeks. But if my fluid rises or Ruthie is in distress, they will do it a little earlier. They are happy that I'm almost to the 34 week mark. This is a big step! Looking back, at 22 weeks, I wasn't sure if I was going to make it this far! Ruthie is roughly 5 lbs and growing. We are super hopeful and ready for her to get here and be healthy!
Monday, September 26, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Another busy day
As I had posted before, I had quite a bit of extra amniotic fluid. Today, my levels were at 38 cm. Normal levels are between 10-25 cm. So, I was super uncomfortable and if my levels continue to rise I would be at serious risk for preterm labor. Today, we and the doctors decided to reduce my fluid. This procedure requires a needle into the uterus and let the fluid drain out. Apparently, I have plenty because my doctor drained over a liter of fluid when we had to stop. They tell pregnant women not to lay flat on your back. Now I know why. I was in mid-conversation when all of a sudden I felt like I was going to pass out. Apparently my blood pressure had dropped. They took a quick glance over at Ruthie and her heartrate was super low. So, out the needle came. I sat up and drank a sprite. I rolled onto my side and Ruthie returned to normal. My doctor suggested we go over to the hospital and be monitored for a little while. I was having contractions about 4 minutes apart but they weren't too strong. After about an hour and a half and some medicine, the contractions stopped and I came home. I'm on total bedrest for two days. Just to allow everything to heal and to keep from contracting again. I'm feeling good...pray for Jimmy's nerves. I think he had quite a day. :)
Other than this little spell, I'm healthy and Ruthie is doing great. She still has the mass on her lung but she is growing and the mass is staying the same size. She is practice breathing and moving plenty. I'm 31 weeks. My doctor wants to get to 38 weeks but another doctor we see says 34 weeks is good too. Who knows who will win out??? I'm just waiting for the weeks to go by. On a good note, I feel much better after the reduction of fluid. Hopefully, if we have to do this again, we will be closer to term and will probably do the procedure in the hospital.
Love you all so much! Thanks for the prayers!
Other than this little spell, I'm healthy and Ruthie is doing great. She still has the mass on her lung but she is growing and the mass is staying the same size. She is practice breathing and moving plenty. I'm 31 weeks. My doctor wants to get to 38 weeks but another doctor we see says 34 weeks is good too. Who knows who will win out??? I'm just waiting for the weeks to go by. On a good note, I feel much better after the reduction of fluid. Hopefully, if we have to do this again, we will be closer to term and will probably do the procedure in the hospital.
Love you all so much! Thanks for the prayers!
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No news is good news
Hello all! I didn't realize it had been so long since I have blogged. We have had little news to report. I see a doctor 3 times a week now. I see the high-risk specialist twice a week and my regular OB once a week. We are watching a few things; the size of the mass, the effect the mass is having on Ruthie, and the amount of amniotic fluid I am accumulating. So far, the mass is growing a little bit. There for a while it was plateaued but it is now growing again. Even though the mass is growing, it hasn't seemed to be effecting her badly. It is large enough to be shifting her heart to the left. Also, it is pressing on her esophagus making it more difficult for her to swallow amniotic fluid. That is what is causing the level of amniotic fluid to rise. But these things are not super-threatening for her or for me. If the amniotic fluid rises too much, as it has before, I am at risk for preterm labor. That's why they have drained me before. But as for now, I am staying about the same fluid level; high but not dangerous. At each appointment, we determine if we need to drain anymore fluid and if the mass is causing any problems that are bad for Ruthie.
We have discussed delivery of sweet Ruthie. There is no way to know what her breathing ability will be when she is born. Her right lung is most likely compromised and we have no idea what her left lung is going to look like. We have several options but have no definite plans for now. It looks like the most likely birth is something called an exit procedure. An exit procedure is a c-section where they will intubate (put in a breathing tube) her before disconnecting her from me. This will ensure that she is never without oxygen and her breathing is controlled immediately. She will then most likely have surgery to remove the mass from the right side. It may require removing some or all of her right lung as well. Even if they have to remove the whole lung, if her left lung is okay (which they think it is), she will have a fairly normal life; playing sports, running, jumping and such.
I'm currently at 33 weeks. They typically arrange exit procedures at 38 weeks. But if my fluid rises or Ruthie is in distress, they will do it a little earlier. They are happy that I'm almost to the 34 week mark. This is a big step! Looking back, at 22 weeks, I wasn't sure if I was going to make it this far! Ruthie is roughly 5 lbs and growing. We are super hopeful and ready for her to get here and be healthy!
We have discussed delivery of sweet Ruthie. There is no way to know what her breathing ability will be when she is born. Her right lung is most likely compromised and we have no idea what her left lung is going to look like. We have several options but have no definite plans for now. It looks like the most likely birth is something called an exit procedure. An exit procedure is a c-section where they will intubate (put in a breathing tube) her before disconnecting her from me. This will ensure that she is never without oxygen and her breathing is controlled immediately. She will then most likely have surgery to remove the mass from the right side. It may require removing some or all of her right lung as well. Even if they have to remove the whole lung, if her left lung is okay (which they think it is), she will have a fairly normal life; playing sports, running, jumping and such.
I'm currently at 33 weeks. They typically arrange exit procedures at 38 weeks. But if my fluid rises or Ruthie is in distress, they will do it a little earlier. They are happy that I'm almost to the 34 week mark. This is a big step! Looking back, at 22 weeks, I wasn't sure if I was going to make it this far! Ruthie is roughly 5 lbs and growing. We are super hopeful and ready for her to get here and be healthy!
Another busy day
As I had posted before, I had quite a bit of extra amniotic fluid. Today, my levels were at 38 cm. Normal levels are between 10-25 cm. So, I was super uncomfortable and if my levels continue to rise I would be at serious risk for preterm labor. Today, we and the doctors decided to reduce my fluid. This procedure requires a needle into the uterus and let the fluid drain out. Apparently, I have plenty because my doctor drained over a liter of fluid when we had to stop. They tell pregnant women not to lay flat on your back. Now I know why. I was in mid-conversation when all of a sudden I felt like I was going to pass out. Apparently my blood pressure had dropped. They took a quick glance over at Ruthie and her heartrate was super low. So, out the needle came. I sat up and drank a sprite. I rolled onto my side and Ruthie returned to normal. My doctor suggested we go over to the hospital and be monitored for a little while. I was having contractions about 4 minutes apart but they weren't too strong. After about an hour and a half and some medicine, the contractions stopped and I came home. I'm on total bedrest for two days. Just to allow everything to heal and to keep from contracting again. I'm feeling good...pray for Jimmy's nerves. I think he had quite a day. :)
Other than this little spell, I'm healthy and Ruthie is doing great. She still has the mass on her lung but she is growing and the mass is staying the same size. She is practice breathing and moving plenty. I'm 31 weeks. My doctor wants to get to 38 weeks but another doctor we see says 34 weeks is good too. Who knows who will win out??? I'm just waiting for the weeks to go by. On a good note, I feel much better after the reduction of fluid. Hopefully, if we have to do this again, we will be closer to term and will probably do the procedure in the hospital.
Love you all so much! Thanks for the prayers!
Other than this little spell, I'm healthy and Ruthie is doing great. She still has the mass on her lung but she is growing and the mass is staying the same size. She is practice breathing and moving plenty. I'm 31 weeks. My doctor wants to get to 38 weeks but another doctor we see says 34 weeks is good too. Who knows who will win out??? I'm just waiting for the weeks to go by. On a good note, I feel much better after the reduction of fluid. Hopefully, if we have to do this again, we will be closer to term and will probably do the procedure in the hospital.
Love you all so much! Thanks for the prayers!
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