Updates On Declan

Today we went and saw the high risk ob. Everything went REALLY well considering. I am definitely happy today with the outcome. Still nervous- but it could have been so much worse! Declan is healthy and doing well which was MOST important! They immediately took me back and did an ultrasound to check all his measurements. After LOTS of fluids and long baths his amniotic fluid was up from 5.6 to 7.3. He said that is still extremely low but we will be keeping a really close eye on him till delivery. He was tiny for where he should be 3.10 pounds (I think that sounds pretty hefty actually!) I guess he was measuring in the sixth percentile of where he should be though- tiny but still safe!

Now I will be monitored twice a week with stress tests (measuring contractions and fetal movements and such) and once a week by ultrasound (checking his fluid levels and also cervical length) My cervix was long and shut (4 cm I think he said?) I am to be drinking LOTS of fluis, taking long baths, laying lots on my left side and just focusing on baby till deliverary day. IF his amniotic fluid drops below 5 in the next few weeks we will go in that day and deliver the baby early. He would be able to grow better on the outside than the inside at that point. Untill then we hope and pray his fluid levels remain high enough that he is safe. I would REALLY like him to grow in moms belly a little longer if possible :) Good news is that my high risk OB said his kidneys were fine (my regular ob was saying they were dilated) They seemed to disagree on this but I will take the high risks dr.'s word on this since he is used to these sorts of things.

The past few days I was a nervous wreck. I tried hard not to be- but I was SERIOUSLY worried about today- the though of going in to deliver this early didn't feel right. I have nothing ready- and my baby isn't cooked all the way yet- so I am EXTREMELY grateful for all the prayers for baby Declan- they are helping for sure! My mom being the worry wort she is came over and is shoving all sorts of natural juices and veggies down my throat- not gonna complain though because I'm sure it can only help :)

SO for now- I am on medical leave at work. Can I just tell you how strange this feels. I have literally NEVER (besides vacations) been not working since HIGH SCHOOL. I didn't even have a week break between jobs I would just move from one job to another. I have been at my current job for almost 8 years now so this is SO weird to me. I have only been off two days and I feel guilty for some reason. I did decide to go back to work tomorrow for one more day. My team is working half the day and then doing some fun activity for the rest of it. I figure it would be the perfect way to tie up loose ends and say goodbye to everyone properly. I am going to realx and get excited since my baby shower is THIS Saturday!!! FINALLY time to go out and buy all of Declan's things he needs. I finally have time to pack my hospital bag, finish the nursery and all the projects I have been working on, and REST! How fabulous does that sound? Like I said- could have been much worse. :) Next week I am excited to see if the fluids get better! I just know this baby boy is a fighter- he has been from day one. 8 more weeks to meet my little fighter embryo- it's been quit the ride. :)

At the end of the day I ate this to make me feel better...let me tell you best. icecream.ever. Go get some. :)