I just finished my appointment this morning. Everything went wonderfully is the short story!!
They did an ultrasound to check on the little guy and to check my amniotic fluid levels.
The levels were the big thing that would determine whether or not I got to go home...The goal was 10....mine was 16!! (yeah - the over achiever in me is dancing a bit) :)
They also looked at his ventricle size (the fluid compartments in the brain) - These will be watched very closely even after the little guy is born because growing ventricles may eventually mean a need for a shunt (If the ventricles are growing it means that the body isn't processing the spinal fluid like it should be which would mean that we would need to look into putting a shunt in to help the body get rid of the fluid) - anyhow, back to today, they said that they expect a little increase in size after surgery but this guy is apparently also an over achiever like his mom and there was NO CHANGE :) yipee!! They did warn me that they will grow eventually but hopefully the growth will then plateau so no shunt is needed....that will be a continued prayer request through his first year or two of life.
Mary - the nurse who is the glue of this team, went over all my restrictions - told me what I am and am not allowed to do and gave me a run down about what my weekly doctors appointments will look like from here until delivery. We met with Dr. Bennett and Dr. Carroll who both said again and again that they are thrilled with how well I'm doing and feel that things will go very well for me.
Just like at the consultation, everyone keeps saying that the bedrest part of this will be by far the hardest part of the entire experience for me!! I keep saying that I am just stubborn enough to do exactly what I'm supposed to so that this guy doesn't make his appearance until the desired 37 weeks (that's the week of May 1st for those of you keeping track)
After lots of hugs, a few tears, some high fives and tons of promises for updates and pictures we headed back to my room at the hospital. We just ordered some lunch and are going to hang here until all my official discharge papers come through then we are headed to the Holiday Inn - where this journey all began. Mom and I get on a plane tomorrow afternoon and head back to Jacksonville!!
Thank you for all the thoughts, prayers - today and so far though this journey!! I'm anxious to get home :) and I know Stephen is ready for me to be home as well!!
Love and Hugs!!