30 Week Update

I wanted to give you a quick update on my 30 week doctor's appointment yesterday. I hadn't been in five weeks, and so I had quite a few things that I wanted to bring up for discussion with my doctor. First, let me say that I feel like I am so blessed to have my doctor! I had actually never met him until the day Marianna was born, but I can't describe to you how amazing he was for us on that day. He understood what was going on with our family with Papa being in the hospital down the street, and the decisions he made I feel like were God ordained. By the time he had delivered her via c-section, I felt like I had known him forever. I have seen no one else since that time, and I am so glad to have him to help us walk through this.

At yesterday's appointment, the first thing he discovered is that I am now measuring exactly on target at 30 weeks! This was very exciting news, because up to this point I have looked and felt quite a bit smaller than I should have been. But just over the past few weeks I have really felt Poppy growing, and his measuring tape confirmed my suspicion. He wanted me to have an ultrasound just to make sure that the growth was actually Poppy and not excess fluid, and upon doing the ultrasound, they found that my fluid levels are right in the normal range. Definitely a huge relief for me! They were also able to tell us that while she is still measuring behind by two weeks in her limbs and stomach, she has maintained steady growth since the 20 week ultrasound, since she was two weeks behind at that point as well. This growth was also a big encouragement! The only thing that wasn't good as far as growth is concerned is her head. Because of the excess fluid in her brain, her head is actually measuring at 37 weeks! We would appreciate prayers that this growth would slow down over the time remaining while the other growth would remain sustained. All in all, she weighs 2 pounds 15 ounces at this point, which is a good size, except for the fact that some we have to take into consideration that some of the weight is from the fluid.

While we were in there, I asked the technician to confirm whether some other very normal markers for trisomy 18 were present in Poppy. She could tell that in edition to the fluid in her brain, her heart still had a hole and she could still only find one kidney. However, there were no new problems with her organs, as we were already aware of these from our initial visit. She also said that Poppy's hands to appear to be clenched, and that each of her feet looks to be slightly clubbed. From what she could tell, her face and profile appeared to be completely normal, without any evidence of a cleft palate, small chin, or any other of the common facial markers of trisomy 18. I know I will love absolutely everything about her because each of these things will make her distinctly "her."

Nathan was able to make it for the ultrasound, and it was so wonderful to be able to see all of her little features on the screen once again. I was reminded that she is a beautiful baby, not a weird medical phenomenon, and we will love her just as we love Marianna. She is such a gift! Today I am praying from Psalm 13:5-6 "But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me."