.
J had an ultrasound yesterday at 23w2d. Both babies were measuring behind, by 12 days and 4 days respectively. Baby A's estimated fetal weight was in the 28th percentile and Baby B's estimated fetal weight was in the 42nd percentile. The doctor told us that Baby A's abdominal circumference is lagging behind the rest of his body, which can be an early marker for growth restriction. He ordered a doppler study of blood flow through the umbilical cord and found that it is functioning normally at this point. However, he wants to monitor it weekly from now on. Although he gave us a 70% chance that Baby A would not become growth restricted, I am overcome with anxiety. I have worried about many other issues throughout this pregnancy, but this is the first time that the doctor has actually seemed concerned. At 23 weeks, it is far too early to identify signs of a condition that often necessitates an early delivery. I don't even want to think about these babies coming before 28 weeks, but that is five weeks away, and even then it is still so early! I am trying to keep this in perspective by reminding myself that the news could be so much worse. Baby A does not currently meet the definition of growth restricted, there is a good chance he never will, and even if he does there are treatment options available. There are so many more devastating diagnoses out there! But, I'm still going to worry myself sick through the weekly doppler studies and monthly growth scans. I can only hope that an upcoming growth spurt will render all of this a false alarm.
..
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Was it your OB or your peri who was doing the ultrasound? That is interesting that they said they are measuring so far behind. i guess I never got the days they were measuring - just the percentages and ours were always measuring 50th or less....around the 25th as they got older and our peri never said anything about growth restriction.
I'm sorry you have to worry. I freaked out too when at one ultrasound baby A hadn't barely grown in 2 weeks.
I'm sure you're nerves are raging right now.
I hope the next visit brings more reassuring news.
The older the babies are, the harder it is to estimate weight correctly. They measure the thigh bone and then look up weight estimates on a chart (which is based on statistics). Right?
Long-legged babies' weights are overestimated.
Short-legged babies' weights are underestimated.
Hopefully, this is what's going on.
Oh hun, it's hard so hard to be an IM, I can't think of a more helpless situation. Hang in there.
Post a Comment