20 Week Update
I had an ultrasound yesterday, and for the most part, everything looked great. Our baby girl is still a baby GIRL. She is growing right on track and looks good. We go back in for our next ultrasound at 24 weeks.
The only thing that the ultrasound showed was that my placenta is anterior (in the front of my uterus). Normally, this would only mean that it is more difficult to feel the baby move, because all the nerves are on the front of the uterus, and it can cause pretty bad back pain in labor. The problem is that Jaime was born via c-section. Because of this, there is severely increased risk of a condition called placenta accreta, where the placenta actually begins to grow into or even through the uterus due to the uterine scarring. This sometimes shows up in an ultrasound, so we will continue to monitor it that way, but we might not know until birth. The implications range anywhere from a D&C to an emergency hysterectomy, depending on the amount of bleeding.
The other decision we are struggling with is when to begin NSTs (non-stress tests) and amniotic fluid level indexes through ultrasound. Both of these things have the potential of showing problems that would lead to a premature delivery. We had planned on starting at 28 weeks, but will decide in two weeks whether or not to bump that up. The risk is seeing something at 24 weeks and having to deliver, in spite of the severely increased risk of birth defects and infant death. On the other hand, if we choose not to monitor, we could end up with another stillbirth. I am leaning towards starting at 24 weeks, coinciding with our next ultrasound. It would mean having a doctor appointment and NST on Fridays and an ultrasound and NST on Tuesdays every week for the rest of pregnancy.
We covet your prayers as we continue to make difficult decisions regarding this child.
The only thing that the ultrasound showed was that my placenta is anterior (in the front of my uterus). Normally, this would only mean that it is more difficult to feel the baby move, because all the nerves are on the front of the uterus, and it can cause pretty bad back pain in labor. The problem is that Jaime was born via c-section. Because of this, there is severely increased risk of a condition called placenta accreta, where the placenta actually begins to grow into or even through the uterus due to the uterine scarring. This sometimes shows up in an ultrasound, so we will continue to monitor it that way, but we might not know until birth. The implications range anywhere from a D&C to an emergency hysterectomy, depending on the amount of bleeding.
The other decision we are struggling with is when to begin NSTs (non-stress tests) and amniotic fluid level indexes through ultrasound. Both of these things have the potential of showing problems that would lead to a premature delivery. We had planned on starting at 28 weeks, but will decide in two weeks whether or not to bump that up. The risk is seeing something at 24 weeks and having to deliver, in spite of the severely increased risk of birth defects and infant death. On the other hand, if we choose not to monitor, we could end up with another stillbirth. I am leaning towards starting at 24 weeks, coinciding with our next ultrasound. It would mean having a doctor appointment and NST on Fridays and an ultrasound and NST on Tuesdays every week for the rest of pregnancy.
We covet your prayers as we continue to make difficult decisions regarding this child.
posted by The Bakers at 11:55 AM
1 Comments:
As you never forget us in pray and calls, we will not cease to pray for wisdom and peace for you dear friends. We love you!
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