The Doctors Visits

The first visit was with the cardiologist for our daughter's echo-gram.  Pretty sure it was the most nervous scared I've ever been in my life up to that point.  After about a 25 minute exam the cardiologist informed us that our daughter's heart was structurally and functionally very sound and maybe 'a little generous in size' but certainly not enlarged.  We celebrated with McDonald's milkshakes.

Three days later we were back at the main campus of the Cleveland Clinic to do the fetal MRI.  Watching Kristen get strapped up and slide into the MRI machine wasn't easy, I can't imagine how hard it was for her to be 6 months pregnant and in that confined area.  The technician told us "your daughter takes beautiful pictures"; it was a nice thing to say but when your paranoia is at an all-time high you can take that 100 ways.

One week after the echo-gram we had scheduled to meet with the pediatric neurologist. I'm positive it was the most nervous scared I've ever been in my life up to that point.  Thought I might throw up right before he started going thru the MRI.

1. The MRI found the corpus callosum to be present.
2. The MRI found the calcifications in the brain not to be present.
3. The MRI found the cerebellum to be small in size but was formed and operating the right way and thus eliminates most of the more severe and scary syndromes/disorders.  
4. The MRI results trump all ultrasound results.
5. What does it all mean?  We're not sure but you are in a lot better place than you were after the 27 week ultrasound.
6. We celebrated with McDonald's milkshakes, we felt like we won the lottery.

Finally able to breath again we began having more regular doctors visits because I think they were confused by what was going on.  The tests, MRIs, echo-grams that we had done had crossed off a lot of concerns but the doctors still appeared worried.  We began having to go for weekly Bio Physical Profiles (BPP) which tests babies ability to breath, blood flow thru the umbilical cord, amniotic fluid volume, along with size.  Our daughter was routinely scoring 8 for 8 on the test but coming in undersized.  Maybe a placenta issue, maybe she was a late bloomer, no one had answers but we were starting to feel good again.

At 36 weeks and 1 day we had our weekly BPP.  Our ultrasound technician (usually very chatty) got quiet quickly, so we sat there with our hearts starting to creep into our throats.  Our doctor comes in, WHAT THE HELL IS HE GOING TO TELL US THIS TIME?!?!?  "Kristen your daughter is doing very well but your fluid is low and the baby is coming today."  Not how I expected it to happen but...Ok...here we go.

~John