Im under the 100 day mark, eeeekkk! Getting a little nervous! Ok getting a LOT nervous :)
We had a big week. First I started my sacred pregnancy class. This is a 8 week class that meets, 1 night a week for 2 hours. Its an incredible class that connects sisterhood with pregnancy. Each week we have a different topic to focus on and we do a sisterhood project, aka crafts! I really love it so far :)
We got to see baby boy twice this week! We had an ultrasound scheduled on Friday, and baby boy did not disappoint with his active lifestyle :) Our appointments have been first thing in the morning and if we go by his activity, Grant and I better work on that not morning people thing! LOL It was a little bit of a concern when they spent a majority of the time looking at the heart, but I wasnt sure if it was because he was upside down or if there was a bigger issue. The doctor did mention that there was possible VSD, hole in the heart, but glad that our echo was scheduled a few days later. Either way, its always a good day when we get to see baby boy :)
Everything else looked great, brain is still doing good, all other measurements are in the normal range, and we confirmed baby is weighing 1lb, 1oz.
We got to spend some time with the family over the weekend which was nice to get our mind off things. Always a good time with the fam! Grant got in some much needed swim time - I swear that boy was a fish in a previous life. And he still can do those flips in the pool, although Im pretty sure he was going to feel it the next day. Good thing I havent been able to take any Motrin and we are all stocked up :p
On Tuesday we had our appointment at Detroit Childrens Hospital for the echocardiogram. Im sure most of you read the previous post. After 70+ ultrasound pictures they were able to confirm that baby boy has atriventricular canal defect. We expected a heart defect diagnosis, but this was really hard for me to hear. Especially when the doctor pulled out the heart model and showed us what part of the heart that did not develop. I couldnt hold the tears back at that point. And Grant couldnt either. Heart wrenching. I just wish I could make everything perfect for him.
Just like every doctor up to this point, she was very compassionate and explained everything in so much detail to us. What to expect while in utero, during birth, after birth, etc. What will happen the first six months. What we should do in those first six months. The surgery. Who will perform it. What the expected outcome will be. And everything in between.
To give a brief overview - basically the wall that separates the upper and lower chambers has not developed. They will put in a patch between the chambers to act as the wall, and the heart lining will eventually grow over the patch. The valves have also not developed correctly. It is one large valve, so they will need to separate them into two individual valves. This type of defect is common in 25% of down syndrome babies and performed often at Detroit Childrens Hospital. And the chief of cardiology will be performing the surgery. He is known to be very meticulous and has a success rate higher than the average. So baby will be in great hands! Even with all that being said, hearing that your baby will need open heart surgery at 6 months old is hard, very hard. But again we are very fortunate to find out this information 15 weeks before he arrives. I could only imagine how much harder all these diagnosis would be to hear at birth. I am so thankful to have this time to process everything, and research everything we can. We do have one more echocardiogram scheduled at 32 weeks to check on everything once last time before birth, and to ask additional questions. The doctor said you probably wont remember half of what we talked about today, so after you go home, talk to your family, do research Im sure another appointment closer to the due date will be comforting to ask those questions we didnt think of at this appointment. She is so right, already started our list!
The day after the diagnosis I just felt overwhelmed with emotions. Thankfully I had dinner plans to go out and celebrate a dear friends birthday. Always a good time with this group of ladies. So thankful to that night of laughs, even if I hadn't shared the news with them yet :)
Phew, was a big week eh?!
So whats going on with baby??
Baby boy is beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture. He's also enjoying his new sense of equilibrium (glad he is because Im losing mine! ha!) -- he now knows which way is up and which is down. I can start to see this with all the ultrasounds we have been getting :)
His lungs are getting ready to take their first breath, and, though the sex was determined long ago, genital differentiation is now becoming complete. He can make a fist and reach his feet, and he may already exhibit a preference for his left or right hand. I believe this! The last ultrasound his feet were were tucked up close to his face!
How far along 25 Weeks
Baby Size Cauliflower
Total weight gain/loss: 27lbs per doctors scale
Maternity clothes? Larger maternity clothes...belly is getting big!
Stretch marks? Nothing new, yay!
Sleep: Waking up more through the night to pee, but still sleeping pretty soundly :) Need to start sleeping more on my side, starting to get freaked out about the sleeping on your back stuff Ive read!
Best moment the week: Started my 8 week sacred pregnancy class. Felt great to connect with other momma-to-be's and take 2 hours out for just baby and me!
Also, spoke up at work about a very difficult situation which resulted in a very compassionate and understanding director making changes to my current position. It will definitely provide some relief my stress levels. :)
Miss Anything? I really am missing running. I think its being with the team, feeling that no worries feel when I run, and the race atmosphere! It really does feels like part of my life is missing!I wish I had an easier first 20 weeks and was able to keep up more of my running fitness. I was so happy to receive a phone call from my coach about an alumni BBQ coming up. Will be great to catch up with everyone :)
Movement: I feel something daily, and love it!
Food cravings: Chili cheese fries, but has to have shredded cheese. I had them twice this week. LOL
Have you started to show yet: Most definitely!
Labor Signs: No, thank goodness!
Belly Button in or out? Still In
Wedding rings on or off? Off, feel naked without it! I have been wearing it on a chain some days.
Symptoms: Nothing out of the ordinary this week
Happy or Moody most of the time: With the recent news, its been a sad week, but staying positive and trying to keep my spirits up!
Looking forward to: We are good on appointments for another 4 weeks, so just looking forward to enjoying the rest of the summer! Oh and finding a place to live! LOL
We had a big week. First I started my sacred pregnancy class. This is a 8 week class that meets, 1 night a week for 2 hours. Its an incredible class that connects sisterhood with pregnancy. Each week we have a different topic to focus on and we do a sisterhood project, aka crafts! I really love it so far :)
We got to see baby boy twice this week! We had an ultrasound scheduled on Friday, and baby boy did not disappoint with his active lifestyle :) Our appointments have been first thing in the morning and if we go by his activity, Grant and I better work on that not morning people thing! LOL It was a little bit of a concern when they spent a majority of the time looking at the heart, but I wasnt sure if it was because he was upside down or if there was a bigger issue. The doctor did mention that there was possible VSD, hole in the heart, but glad that our echo was scheduled a few days later. Either way, its always a good day when we get to see baby boy :)
Everything else looked great, brain is still doing good, all other measurements are in the normal range, and we confirmed baby is weighing 1lb, 1oz.
We got to spend some time with the family over the weekend which was nice to get our mind off things. Always a good time with the fam! Grant got in some much needed swim time - I swear that boy was a fish in a previous life. And he still can do those flips in the pool, although Im pretty sure he was going to feel it the next day. Good thing I havent been able to take any Motrin and we are all stocked up :p
On Tuesday we had our appointment at Detroit Childrens Hospital for the echocardiogram. Im sure most of you read the previous post. After 70+ ultrasound pictures they were able to confirm that baby boy has atriventricular canal defect. We expected a heart defect diagnosis, but this was really hard for me to hear. Especially when the doctor pulled out the heart model and showed us what part of the heart that did not develop. I couldnt hold the tears back at that point. And Grant couldnt either. Heart wrenching. I just wish I could make everything perfect for him.
Just like every doctor up to this point, she was very compassionate and explained everything in so much detail to us. What to expect while in utero, during birth, after birth, etc. What will happen the first six months. What we should do in those first six months. The surgery. Who will perform it. What the expected outcome will be. And everything in between.
To give a brief overview - basically the wall that separates the upper and lower chambers has not developed. They will put in a patch between the chambers to act as the wall, and the heart lining will eventually grow over the patch. The valves have also not developed correctly. It is one large valve, so they will need to separate them into two individual valves. This type of defect is common in 25% of down syndrome babies and performed often at Detroit Childrens Hospital. And the chief of cardiology will be performing the surgery. He is known to be very meticulous and has a success rate higher than the average. So baby will be in great hands! Even with all that being said, hearing that your baby will need open heart surgery at 6 months old is hard, very hard. But again we are very fortunate to find out this information 15 weeks before he arrives. I could only imagine how much harder all these diagnosis would be to hear at birth. I am so thankful to have this time to process everything, and research everything we can. We do have one more echocardiogram scheduled at 32 weeks to check on everything once last time before birth, and to ask additional questions. The doctor said you probably wont remember half of what we talked about today, so after you go home, talk to your family, do research Im sure another appointment closer to the due date will be comforting to ask those questions we didnt think of at this appointment. She is so right, already started our list!
The day after the diagnosis I just felt overwhelmed with emotions. Thankfully I had dinner plans to go out and celebrate a dear friends birthday. Always a good time with this group of ladies. So thankful to that night of laughs, even if I hadn't shared the news with them yet :)
Phew, was a big week eh?!
So whats going on with baby??
Baby boy is beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture. He's also enjoying his new sense of equilibrium (glad he is because Im losing mine! ha!) -- he now knows which way is up and which is down. I can start to see this with all the ultrasounds we have been getting :)
His lungs are getting ready to take their first breath, and, though the sex was determined long ago, genital differentiation is now becoming complete. He can make a fist and reach his feet, and he may already exhibit a preference for his left or right hand. I believe this! The last ultrasound his feet were were tucked up close to his face!
How far along 25 Weeks
Baby Size Cauliflower
Total weight gain/loss: 27lbs per doctors scale
Maternity clothes? Larger maternity clothes...belly is getting big!
Stretch marks? Nothing new, yay!
Sleep: Waking up more through the night to pee, but still sleeping pretty soundly :) Need to start sleeping more on my side, starting to get freaked out about the sleeping on your back stuff Ive read!
Best moment the week: Started my 8 week sacred pregnancy class. Felt great to connect with other momma-to-be's and take 2 hours out for just baby and me!
Also, spoke up at work about a very difficult situation which resulted in a very compassionate and understanding director making changes to my current position. It will definitely provide some relief my stress levels. :)
Miss Anything? I really am missing running. I think its being with the team, feeling that no worries feel when I run, and the race atmosphere! It really does feels like part of my life is missing!I wish I had an easier first 20 weeks and was able to keep up more of my running fitness. I was so happy to receive a phone call from my coach about an alumni BBQ coming up. Will be great to catch up with everyone :)
Movement: I feel something daily, and love it!
Food cravings: Chili cheese fries, but has to have shredded cheese. I had them twice this week. LOL
Have you started to show yet: Most definitely!
Labor Signs: No, thank goodness!
Belly Button in or out? Still In
Wedding rings on or off? Off, feel naked without it! I have been wearing it on a chain some days.
Symptoms: Nothing out of the ordinary this week
Happy or Moody most of the time: With the recent news, its been a sad week, but staying positive and trying to keep my spirits up!
Looking forward to: We are good on appointments for another 4 weeks, so just looking forward to enjoying the rest of the summer! Oh and finding a place to live! LOL
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