The Crigler Medical Minute

That is what I think the new name of this blog should be, because I feel like all I do is chronicle Perron and my medical saga's. So in keeping with that tradition, here is the latest on us. I went in yesterday for my 34 week appointment. I was excited because I had been feeling good and I thought that I would get the all clear to go back to my regular activity schedule. I had a gut feeling that I had started to efface some because of some of the changes that I had noticed, but I wasn't sure. After waiting an hour and a half...no lie...for my appointment, I was taken back. When I was weighed the nurse mentioned that I had lost a pound, which I thought was a little weird, but I have lost and gained weight off and on throughout the pregnancy.

When I got back to Dr. Edwards and we started talking about some of what I thought were minor issues, I mentioned that I had lost weight and was that unusual. He said that it wasn't and we kept on with the exam. He checked me and I am currently 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. I was a little surprised by this, but barring everything that I have been through in the past five weeks, I was not completely shocked. He didn't seem to terribly concerned about this, and I have definitely heard stories of women walking around dilated for several weeks before they delivered. He then went to measure me and that is where the curve ball came in. He measured me and I only measured 31 weeks, which is what I had measured two weeks ago....so no growth. He immediately sent me for a growth scan and told me to come back as soon as it was over. Of course, I had decided that things were going to be just fine at this appointment and hadn't brought anyone with me. Stephen was playing golf and my parents were on the way to Chattanooga because my dad had a talk. I got brought back and had the growth scan. He was measuring 3 lbs 15 ozs and per the ultrasound measurements he was measuring at 32 weeks 5 days...so one week behind. We had our last growth scan on 6/22 and at that time he was 3 lbs 5 ozs. so he did grow some, but at this point he should have gained at least a pound or a pound and a half and he only gained 10 ozs. They also checked my amniotic fluid levels and those continue to look good.

After the scan, I went back to meet with Dr. Edwards again and develop a game plan. He stressed to me that Perron was still in the range of normal, just the small side of normal and that he was very pleased with the amniotic fluid levels. The plan for now is that I have to start coming in two times per week, on Tuesdays and Fridays. On Friday's I will have just a Fetal Non-Stress Test and on Tuesdays I will have a NST and an Amniotic Fluid Index taken. If things look good with those test every week, and my fundal measurements improve, we will wait two weeks to have another growth scan. If at that time he is still not growing correctly, then we will have to develop another game plan. I don't think he is considered to have Intrauterine Growth Restriction yet because he would have to be under the 10th percentile for weight. If he doesn't grow then he will be in danger of IUGR. If he has IUGR then they will probably determine it is safer for him to be out then it is for him to stay in because my placenta is not able to provide him the nutrients that he needs to be healthy and thrive.

As a side effect of yesterday's appointment, I have also been having a lot of problems with contractions. I did not sleep a wink last night and had a hard time with contractions and anxiety. Stephen is working from home today so that he can be here to help me and watch me. He has been really great and is doing his best to keep me calm...easier said then done.

I have several specific prayers to ask everyone for. The most important one is the please please please pray for Perron's growth. I am so worried that he is going to be too small and that something bigger will be wrong with him that they haven't detected yet. Please pray that I can hold off for a couple more weeks and not continue to dilate and efface the way that I have been already. I want to make sure that he has as much time to grow inside of me...if that turns out to be the best thing for him. Pray for me that I am able to control my anxiety and trust in God that this is just a part of his plan and even though I may not understand it now, it will all work out positively in the end. Also pray that Stephen and I find comfort during this difficult time. We love all of you and are so grateful to have you all thinking and praying for us!