36 Weeks!!

*36 weeks pregnant.
Annie making a sad face because she wanted her pic taken!*

Yesterday was another MFM appointment. The baby looks great! We had an estimated weight of 4 lbs. 12 oz. which is a gain of 19 ounces in 2 weeks! Praise the Lord!!! This brings our little Hess baby up to the 4th percentile (2 weeks ago it was in the 1st). Unfortunately, we didn't get to see our "nice" doctor because he is doing a long bike ride with his son and was riding with him yesterday afternoon. Our "mean" doctor was on his best behavior. He must have been scolded after I "told on him". This doctor said the gain looked good. When Trent and I mentioned that it was 19 ounces of growth, he was suddenly skeptical. He did some re-measuring of the baby's stomach and was coming up with 4 lbs. 6-8 oz. Regardless, of which measurement is more accurate, the baby had gained about a pound in two weeks, which is what they expect "normal" growing babies to do. I definitely felt that my prayers were being heard and answered, and was very thankful to hear about the babies good growth.

They are still recommending induction/Cesarean at 37 weeks. I have an appointment next Wednesday (37 weeks to the day) with May-Grant who will do the scheduling. We are anticipating either late next week or early the following to have the baby. The baby still has the umbilical cord around his/her neck, which is why I think the baby has not gotten to the head-down position yet. During my ultrasound yesterday this little one went from footlong, to bottom down, to completely sideways.

I am still praying and hopeful that the baby will be able to get to the head-down position before next week. However, I do feel much more at peace about the possibility of a c-section. As I thought through my fears last night I was thinking that my reasons for not wanting to have a c-section were very selfish. I am anxious about the recovery, about the procedure itself, about what this can mean for future child-bearing, and also about the anesthesia. A friend of mine had sent me an encouraging devotion about our fears. After I read through it again last night it really hit me how selfish I was being. I know with my head that God will take care of me through all of my fears, but I was having trouble truly trusting and resting in this belief. I know that he is able to turn the baby if that is in His plans. It reminded me of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They knew God could save them from the fiery furnace, but even if he didn't they still believed that He was God. The devotion said something along the lines of this: that most of our worst fears will not come true, but sometimes bad things do and will happen, but through them all God will take care of us. I'm so thankful that we serve a wonderful, forgiving God. So although it is still my prayer that the baby will turn head-down, I am now at peace that whatever may happen, God will see me through this delivery and we will all (Trent, Annie, Abbey, Baby, and I) will be okay!

Thanks again for all the love, support, and prayers. God is listening. God is good. ALL the time!!

35 Weeks

Abbey at the beach.

Annie and Daddy!

Today marks 35 weeks. I plan on taking one last belly shot next week and will post that along with our weekly update.... Yesterday I had an appointment to check-up on this little one.

Good: The baby still looks healthy and strong; the doppler showed good blood flow and the baby was moving around. I also got to see a different doctor at MFM who was much more encouraging than the first. He refers to the baby as a "Mighty Mini" (Strong but Tiny).

Not-so-Good: Baby Hess is still breech (his/her feet are actually up at his/her head!); the umbilical cord is wrapped around the baby's neck so chances of the baby turning are pretty slim; the amniotic fluid is at the low-normal range.

The doctor I saw very thoroughly explained some statistics and some individual cases that he has worked with dealing with Intra-Uterine Growth Restricted (IUGR) babies. He said he really pushes for delivery at 37 weeks because the placenta in all pregnancies begins to deteriorate after 37 weeks. Normally this isn't too big of an issue. However, with IUGR babies who aren't getting the nourishment that they need it becomes very dangerous. The rate of still births for IUGR babies who go past 37 weeks is incredibly high (I forget the numbers) versus babies who are growing normally.

What this means for us: We have an appointment this Saturday to check the fluid level and just to make sure baby is still looking good. Tuesday we have an appointment where we will check for growth, along with the other weekly check-up items, and confirm baby's position. I believe at that point we will schedule a date for either a c-section (if the baby doesn't turn) or induction (if the baby does turn).

I am still praying that the cord will come off the baby's neck and that it will be able to turn before 37 weeks. I'm also praying for a peace about our situation as well as being willing to let go of my plans, and to do what is best for baby. Thanks so much for all your thoughts and prayers! I've been so thankful for the encouraging emails that have been sent my way!

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

*Miniature sunflowers in our flowerbed*

Yesterday was another appointment at Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM). I was 34 weeks and they were checking for growth along with the other regular things they check.

So, we'll start with the good. The baby has gained 12 ounces in the past 2 weeks. (All that peanut butter must be helping!) The doctor said this was "adequate". The baby is still looking healthy and strong; the umbilical cord, placenta and doppler (brain measurement) all looked fantastic.

The bad: The baby is still breech (feet first). Also the doctor still wants to induce at 37 weeks.

The ugly: When Trent questioned whether induction was really necessary as long as the baby is growing, the doctor said that it is what they recommend. When Trent asked what the risks are of continuing to let the baby grow in-utero the doctor said, "Death". Trent said, "So, the baby is just going to spontaneously die after 37 weeks?" And the doctor said, "You can refuse to be induced, but if the baby dies after 37 weeks it will be your fault. You'll have to live with that for the rest of your life, knowing that if you would have induced your baby would be alive, but just because you don't want a more painful labor you'll risk your baby's life." (So is he responsible if the baby dies prior to 37 weeks???)

Needless to say I was a sobbing, blubbering mess by this time. I was extremely dissatisfied with the way the doctor approached our questions (maybe he has never been questioned before?). Looking back I can see what he means; that induction is their recommendation and if we choose not to follow that recommendation, that whatever happens (good or bad) it was our choice. He could have worded his thoughts differently. Our question that he didn't ever answer was that AS LONG AS the baby continues to grow, what would be the purpose of inducing early? Obviously if there was something wrong, the baby wasn't growing, the placenta was dying, or becoming unattached to the uterine wall, etc. then yes, of course we would induce/c-section to insure the baby's safety. If he could give me a good reason for inducing early we would consider it.

Today I had a May-Grant appointment and saw a doctor I had not seen before. When I voiced my concerns to him, he agreed that the doctor from MFM was extremely rude and should not have talked to me in the way he did. He also said that I can ask for the other doctor that works for MFM. In addition, he said that they should look at each individual on a case-by-case basis. Since I go to MFM weekly and am closely following the baby's movements at home, we should be able to catch any problems very quickly. He was very encouraging to stick it out and allow the baby to grow in-utero for as long as it is safe.

At this point we are going to continue with our weekly appointments at MFM, and May-Grant. We plan on only inducing if it is necessary for the health of our child, which it does not seem to be at this point. We would definitely appreciate prayers for wisdom, and also for strength. The appointments with MFM are very stressful and emotional for me, and Trent will not be able to accompany me for the next 2 appointments so I will have to be the one asking the questions and standing up for myself and our child. Thank you again for all your thoughts, prayers, and encouraging stories; they are much appreciated!!