Today we had our 32 week ultrasound at the perinatal clinic. The only reason we've been going there is because that is where my OB sends all IVF pregnancies because they classify us as "high-risk." An ultrasound technician took all the measurements and baby Emma gave us some great poses. All the measurements (e.g. head, leg, abdomen) they took had her measuring at least at 32 weeks (which I am exactly today). We even got to see that she has some hair! We were on cloud nine.
Then the doctor came in with a slip in her hand. She informed us that our baby is quite small - 11th percentile - and as a precaution, they want me to start weekly nonstress tests to make sure the baby is growing properly. Of course, panic immediately set in. She said that her feeling is that nothing is wrong and that we are just going to have a small, 6lb-ish baby. But, because we are IVFers, she said she wants to take extra care and monitor the baby for 3 weeks and then take the weight again. I asked her, if there is a problem, what could it be? She said possibly a failing placenta and the baby would need to come early.
In my heart, I really feel like we have a healthy baby. She is very active and, according to Baby Center, is exactly where she is supposed to be weight-wise. She is estimated at 3lb 11oz that appears to be on track. But it is still so scary.
So, if you have a spare second, please offer up a prayer that our Baby Emma is growing right as she should and that any problems would be detected and addressed when we start the nonstress test next Monday. Thanks, friends!
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Prayers coming your way. I'm sure everything is okay, but I can imagine how scary this was. I am praying that Emma continues to grow, and that by the time your due date comes around, you have a healthy, fat and plump baby. :-D
ReplyDeleteI am a recent lurker but I just wanted you to know that I am praying for baby Emma!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that they are taking the time to look into this and taking it seriously, but I'm sure everything is just fine...she sounds like she's right on track! My friend just delivered a 6lb 3 oz baby on December 7th and that was four days past her due date! So your baby could just be small...her baby is totally fine. :o)
ReplyDeleteI have been wondering how you were doing! I will absoluelty be sending up a prayer for your LO!
ReplyDeleteThinking of youi guys and baby Emma! {hugs}
ReplyDeleteSending up LOTS of prayers for you and sweet Emma!! I pray that God wraps his arms around you and your husband in comfort and peace. HUGS to you!!!
ReplyDeleteHow weird that all the measurements were right on track or a little ahead at 32 weeks.
ReplyDeleteMy kid has always been smallish, 30th percentile or so. At the 31.5 week scan, she measured 20th percentile (3lb9oz), a major drop from before. Her head has always been bigger, and belly smaller and leg shorter. What they did was check the blood flow in her umbilical artery and in the middle cerebral artery in her brain to look for any evidence of compromised flow. All looked good. And they they checked things again 2 weeks later and she was back on the usual 35th percentile curve.
Don't forget, there's a huge measurement error in things at this stage, and things may well be totally fine when you're rechecked in 3 weeks.
I figure as long as the kiddie's good and active, she's got to be fairly happy in there.
Some babies are smaller, some are larger... I can understand how scary that must be, but I will be praying that Emma is just going to be a little peanut, and that's all. I hope the NSTs can provide you with some reassurance that things are okay.
ReplyDeletethat must be really scary but you are so far along now that even if she had to come today i bet she'd be just fine! i'll be thinking about you!
ReplyDeleteSaying prayers for you and baby Emma. Keep us posted on how you're both doing!
ReplyDeletePraying and hoping that all is fine. I am glad to hear they are taking such good care of you and Emma!
ReplyDeleteI'll be thinking of you. It's great they are keeping such a close eye on things. Let's hope with this precaution there isn't much exciting to keep an eye on...
ReplyDeleteSending prayers. Something similar happened with my oldest -- who is now a healthy, happy teenager.
ReplyDeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteChecking in from the LFCA. Just to encourage you, I also had an ivf baby that was consistently smaller than average during the pregnancy. I had food aversion all the way through the pregnancy so the doc basically blamed me for his size. He was born at 5lbs, 5ounces. He is now 17months and just a little smaller than your average toddler but hitting his milestones about 4-6 weeks ahead of time consistently since birth.
Basically, don't worry about it. Small babies make it in the world just fine.
Prayers are on their way for little Emma.
ReplyDeleteHello from LFCA, sending up prayers for you & baby Emma...hope everything goes smoothly for the rest of your pregnancy!
ReplyDeleteWow, nothing like having the nurse be a complete debbie downer! Grrrr...
ReplyDeleteI hope it all turns out okay and the dr. was just letting you freak for no reason.
Jerks.