Updated Kidney News

To start out, last week this little guy passed his BPP in 4 minutes! I already feel like a bragging mother and he isn't even born yet! His NST's have been great and even categorized at "text book." This prompted me to ask my DR if I really did need to come every week for the BPP and NST's since he is passing with flying colors and she said yes b/c they want to make sure that he still does this great and that my fluid level stays consistent and that the kidneys don't get any bigger. Well, so much for that. I had my follow up level II ultrasound with the Perinatologist on Wednesday this week and it wasn't horrible news, but not great news either. The kidneys have dilated more which is what they were hoping would not happen. They are now measuring at 1.37cm on the right and 1.34cm on the left. They are measuring/weighing him in at a whopping 6lbs and one oz right now!! Which is only in the 63% for being 35weeks and 5 days. I was 8lbs 15oz when I was born and Jared was 8lbs 14.5 oz, so we both are assuming that he will be right around there when he is born.

What they are saying he has by the looks of the ultrasounds are Moderate Bilateral Pyelectasis w/Hydronephrosis along with a probable Mild Posterior Urethral Valves. So in layman's English terms now! Pyelectasis is the enlargement of the part of the kidney that collects urine (the renal pelvis) from 4 to 10 millimeters in diameter. Bilateral for those of you who might not know what that means is that both the kidneys are dilated, not just one. Posterior Urethral Valves (PUV) is an abnormality that occurs when the urethral valves, which are small leaflets of tissue, have a narrow, slit-like opening that partially impedes the urine flow. This is thought to develop in the early stages of fetal development and occurs more often in males vs. females. During the ultrasound his bladder was very large/distended b/c he wouldn't pee. We waited an extra 20-30 minutes for him to pee to see if the kidneys would get a little smaller with the urine being released from them down to the bladder but this kid would just not pee! From all of these findings we have a consult appt with a Pediatric Urologist on Tues Jan 5th to discuss what all this means, what to do until he is born, and what will be done after he is born. I am assuming they will for sure do an ultrasound on him after he is born in which they would be able to see much better what is going on in there since they won't have to go through my body to see him. We will find out much more next Tuesday when we meet with the doctor.

For those of who you are thinking of questions let me throw some more information out there. They will not take him early due to what is going on. The only reason they would is if my amniotic fluid level gets too low which right now is at 13.1 and they consider low at 7.9. This would mean that he is taking in the fluid but not putting it back out. I did ask that with all this going on if it meant that we would have to have c-section and both my DR and the perinatologist said no. Unless, when I am in labor he is showing signs of distress, I don't progress, or any other issue which could happen to any baby and any mom during the labor process. I do have quite a bit of swelling in my legs but they check my urine every time for protein and those levels have been great too. I have had some high blood pressure for a couple weeks which we have been monitoring but it looks like it is on its way back down to normal. Everyone asks if I have been having contractions and so far no. But you are asking someone who has never felt a contraction in her life if she has them so I really don't know! I'm assuming from what they have been described as that I have not or I would know. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask away. As of right now this is all the information I have but after Tuesday I will have more to update you on. Jared and I hope everyone had a great 2009 and has a better 2010!!

Tests, Nephews, and Showers

Well this week was a breeze for the BPP and NST's. I know I have said this before but we really do have an overachiever on our hands here!! Last week was his first one and he completed his BPP in 13 minutes (they allow up to 30 minutes to complete everything) with flying colors. Well this week he completed his BPP in 5 MINUTES!!! Then I went down to have my NST done and he must have changed moods quickly b/c he was very quiet for this. He established a good heart rhythm which is good, but then wasn't showing an accelerations so we poked and moved him around a little bit which did the trick b/c then he had no problem showing off again! We don't go back until the 23rd for the next set of test and then on the 30th to see our perinatologist to have our level II ultrasound done.

As many of you know my sister Michelle and nephew Christopher who live in New Hampshire were able to come to town for a little over a week which I wish could have lasted another 10 weeks b/c we had so much fun getting together again. Christopher is a hoot and loves playing Transformers in which Jared was much obliged to play with him. As I am sitting there watching them fly and drive Optimus Prime and Bumblebee all over the living room I thought to myself "this is going to be my life in 3 years!" Jared took on the challenge of babysitting Christopher during my baby shower. When I left them at home they were both laying on the couch under a blanket watching the Vikings game! It was so precious I actually did shed a tear walking up the stairs thanks to my awesome hormones. So as I said goodbye to one nephew today I have the pleasure of announcing the arrival of a new nephew!! My sister Julie who was 6 weeks further along then I am deliver Marshall Frederick Sipe today at 12:33pm weighing in at 9lbs and 1 ounce at 22inches long!!! Her induction was set up for tomorrow morning but decided that he would rather share a bday with his mom as today is Julie's 30th birthday!!! What a great way to celebrate!

I had my first baby shower this past Sunday which was thrown by my mother and two sisters and man was it a blast! Jared and I received so many nice gifts! Things are definitely starting to feel more real after receiving all those gifts knowing that in the next month and half we will need to use the stroller, infant seat, and blankets!! I can't thank everyone enough for all the great gifts and taking time out of your day to come and celebrate with me. Jared pretty much had a second Christmas going through everything at home!! My next shower is this coming Sunday which is being thrown for us by the Brechon women which I am looking forward to as it is always a great time with them!

BPP and NST's Weekly

Don't worry if you don't understand that title as I will explain it all. From the level II ultrasound we had done before Thanksgiving, the perinatologist recommended that the little guy have weekly BPP's (Bio Physical Profile) and NST's (Non Stress Tests) done. The bio physical profile consits of 5 criteria in which each criteria gets a score of 2 points to get a total of 10 points for everything. #1 Fetal Breathing - one episode of fetal breathing for more than 30 seconds. #2 Gross Fetal Movement - more than 3 body, limb, discrete or separate movements. #3 Fetal Tone - one episode of extension/flexion of limbs, head, or trunk. #4 Amniotic Fluid Volume - more than 2cm if more than 36 weeks and more than 3cm if less then 36 weeks. #5 is the NST test in which I am hooked up to the fetal monitor for 20 minutes and he has to show a stable heart rhythm with accelerations. If he scores an 8/10 then I just have to come back the next week for my next BPP/NST. If he scores a 6/10 then I have to come back the next day to have another BPP/NST done. If at any point he completely fails his NST and scores lower then a 6, I would be sent to Methodist Hospital to have extensive monitoring that could last anywhere from 6-10 hours all depending on what they are seeing from him. If during the monitoring anytime at Methodist they don't like what they see, then my DR said they will talk about delivery (SCARY thought as I am only 33 weeks on Sat). I asked if that meant a C-section and she said not necessarily as it would depend on how he is doing and if they feel like he would be okay for another 36 hours to induce and try a vaginal delivery. If they don't feel he is better off staying in for another 36 hours then they will do a C-section. Today he passed with flying colors at he got 8/8 in 13 minutes. They allow 30 minutes to score 8 point for the BPP. I did not have to do the NST today (hence the out of 8 points today) since I was on the monitor 2 days away at my DR's appt. For right now that is all that is going on with him/us. I am starting to get a cold so that is going to be really fun. I have my first shower on Sunday as I am really looking forward to that! At the level II ultrasound the tech pointed out a hair that was sticking straight up from his head which I was skeptical to believe but then again today the rad tech pointed out his hair so I started to believe them that he has hair! I actually got a really cute picture today that you can see his face, chin, and his chubby cheeks!! I will try to get some pictures up sunday from this ultrasound and the shower.

Perinatologist Appt

So at my ultrasound the Wednesday before Thanksgiving the radiologist noticed that the kidneys were dialted/enlarged and that the bladder was shaped like a key hole. What that means I couldnt' tell you. We were referred to see a perinatologist to have a Level II ultrasound done so they could look more closely and in depth at the kidneys. Yes, this is ultrasound #8 I have had!! The DR we saw was very very nice and explained things easily to us. The DR did say that this is more common in boys then girls but it is nothing to freak out about right now. Both kidneys measured about 5cm bigger then what they should. During the ultrasound they didn't see anything obstructing or blocking the kidneys or ureters. During the ultrasound they checked a couple times to make sure the bladder was emptying, which it was so that is a good sign and there was no key whole shape today. The DR also said that normally after delivery 50% of babies with dialted kidneys regulate themselves and nothing needs to be done. If after delivery the kidneys are still dialted/enlarged then it would require surgical correction. I have to go back to see the perinatologist in a month to have another ultrasound done to check the fluid levels around the baby and to measure the kidneys again. She said that if they are still dialated at this time that she would refer us to a pediatric urologist to talk about what needs to happen after delivery. This does not put me at high risk which is a good thing. They said he weighs about 4lbs 10oz right now. With all the measurements they took, he is measuring at about 9 days bigger then my due date, which if something does surgically need to be done this is a good thing b/c they would want him to be as big as possible for surgery. I will still be seeing my regular OB DR along with the perinatologist once in a while to check and make sure things are still ok. They also noticed that he was doing fetal breathing which means that he was practicing his breathing, what an overachiever he already is!! He was still head down but face down this time and did not want us to see his face. My next appt with my DR is actually this Tuesday so we will see what she has to say. Jared and I have our first birthing class tomorrow at Methodist Hospital so that should be interesting. I am intrigued to see what we will be doing and how things will go. We have it two Saturday mornings and tomorrow is one of two. I am most excited for the tour of Labor and Delivery at Methodist since I have never been there before. Other then that we are just anxiously waiting for Michelle and Christopher to come as they arrive on Monday and it has been a year since we have seen them!!! My sister who is 6 weeks further along then I am seems to be ready to go and deliver at anytime so I may have a new nephew by next weekend!!

Good Measurements

Jared and I got to see our little guy today b/c at my appt on Friday my fundal height was measuring 35cm compared to what I should have been at which is 30cm. They say that you should measure what your weeks are and on Friday I was 29 weeks and 6 days. So they wanted to do an ultrasound to make sure that this stubborn little boy wasn't measuring too big or that I didn't have too much amniotic fluid. The radiology tech actually happened to be my nurse practitioner's sister so that was cool! She was wicked nice and did a great job. After all the pictures and measurements she took, she confirmed that I am measuring TO THE DATE with my Jan 30th due date! More then likely it was just the position he was in when she was measuring on Friday. The rad tech asked if we knew what we were having and I told her that we saw one picture that it was a boy, but that if she saw something and wanted to really confirm it, that it would be fantastic! Needless to say the first picture she saw was CLEARLY boy, like all up in your face boy!!!! She was able to give us a picture of the "goods" which reaffirmed me b/c I have A LOT of boy things that really would have been a hassle to take back!! I cheated and looked in my medical record at work on the dictation by the radiologist and looks like he said that estimated fetal weight is 1587grams which is in the 52.3 percentile. Jared asked about how much she thought this little guy weighed and said that according to measurements he is right around 3 pounds! It's crazy to think that took 30 weeks to weigh 3 pounds but that in the next 9 weeks he will double his weight!!! He was face up but positioned head down, which coincides with all the jabs, kicks, and punches i feel on the right upper side of my stomach! Oh boy does this guy move! I will be laying on the couch and it literally looks like my stomach is having seizures! It is really cool to see though. I still have been feeling good. My ankles have been starting to swell, especially my left one. When I get home from work I elevate them right away and by morning they are back to normal. I have been having some pelvic/groin discomfort. Mainly just feeling sore and the nurse practitioner said that it is likely from my pelvic bones starting to move/shift and get ready for the delivery. Other then that nothing exciting has been going on. Jared and I are still having the name game discussion. We are still on Tanner or Connor, we do like Noah, but are always open to suggestions and ideas. Jared is currently getting backgrounded by Big Lake and New Hope police departments so send prayers our way for one of these to come through. I don't know why any department wouldn't want to hire him b/c he is going to make a fabulous police officer! We hope that everyone has a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving with safe travels for everyone!!

3 hours later and finally PASSED!!!

Since I failed my one hour glucose test I had to endure the 3 hours of sitting in the lab lobby 2 floors below my work not allowed to leave the lobby for any reason! My poor vein in my right arm was poked so many times I started to bruise. They had to draw blood 4 different times in order to obtain my fasting glucose levels. For curious people I will type out my level followed by the level it needed to be under so you can see the comparison (ex. 134/140). My original 1 hour test: 167/140 (bombed that one!). 3 hour test: Fasting level 94/95. First hour 145/180. Second hour 126/155. Third hour 63/140. As you can tell my levels were quite under this time which is good, for the exception of my fasting level (weird). When I finally was released from the locked cell of the lobby I went up to work and actually got quite light headed and nauseous since it had been 15 hours since I was able to eat or drink anything! You can tell why I got light headed since my blood sugar was 63!!!! I am very thankful that I passed this test because I did not want to have to deal with gestational diabetes. However, this gave Jared ample opportunity for him to nag at me for drinking pop. Everytime I would eat a piece of candy or crack a can of pop Jared would yell DIABETES!!! So supportive!! Just kidding! He has been very supportive, amazing, and interested through out the whole process (even though he likes the name Anakin!) It's hard to believe I will be 29 weeks tomorrow and will need to start going every 2 weeks to see my DR, CRAZY! Also, Jared and I have decided yet once again, to change DRs!! If you are shaking your head, I am right there with you! Due to an insurance change once again I will be seeing a DR at a Park Nicollet Clinic which is coveniently located one floor below me which makes it quite easy for upcoming appts as I can do them over my lunch hour instead of needing to take half days off of work. With this change that does mean that we will be changing hospitals for delivery also. Now, and I don't care about insurance anymore, we will FOR SURE be going to Methodist Hospital in St Louis Park. Right now we are registered for our birthing classes Dec 5th and 12th in which should be an interesting experience! We will get to take a tour of the birth center then so that will be fun! We finally got registered at Target and Babies R Us as Jared scanned EVERY SINGLE item on both lists. I did not once touch the scanner! My next appt is on Nov 20th so in the weeks to come you can check back for some updated information!

FAILED Test!!

No worries everything is fine!!! I had the pleasure of drinking the amazing orange sugar drink for my one hour glucose test and I bombed!!! My level was at 167 and my sister Julie told me that the cut off is normally around 140ish. So yeah, I really failed! Now I get the pleasure of drinking it AGAIN, and sitting in the lab lobby for 3 hours. I was instructed that I could not leave the lab to even go up and sit at my desk for work which is only 2 floors up!! This is going to be a blast. Not only do I have to sit there for 3 hours but I have to fast for 12 hours before also!!! Who honestly thinks a 28 week pregnant woman can go 12 hours without eating, seriously! The good thing is that my appt is at 7:30 in the morning! I may just go to bed at 8pm next monday night so I don't have to even think about how I can't eat anything. My hemoglobin was fine at 13.8.

I have been very lucky as I have not had any complications or problems with the pregnancy, up until now! This past Saturday night Jared and I actually went to the hospital to be put on the monitor. I was not feeling the little guy move as much as he normally does. I felt him Wed and a little bit on Thurs. I did not feel him at all on Friday or Saturday. I hesitated calling my doctor because I didn't want to be one of those first time pregnant mothers who freaks out over every little thing and thinks that every little thing is wrong with me. I called my sister Julie and my aunt Nicolle before calling my doctor to see what they thought and they both told me to call. I tried drinking orange juice and mountain dew along with poking the little guy to try to get him move. Go figure that once I got there and on the monitor he started moving! Stubbornness once again prevails!! I don't mean oh I feel a little kick here and there. I mean like full out body jabs like hello, I am here! With all the sugar I drank he had to be on a sugar overdose! The nurse was very nice and she found the heart beat right away and affirmed that it was probably just the position he moved into. Now he has been moving around just fine and even keeping me up sometimes at night.

Jared and I registered at babies r us the other weekend and holy cow! I preemptively apologize for the "big boy" toys on there like the Imaginext Batcave!!! Needless to say by the end he was anxious to get over to the "fun" toys!!! He actually scanned every single item as I did not touch the scanner once the whole time we were there. There are some things that we still need to get on there as Jared was wisked away to 2nd row Wild Hockey tickets that he couldn't pass up! It was really fun to register and we are looking forward to heading to Target to get that done too. That's all the exciting news for now!