Another Ann Arbor Day

Today was another Ann Arbor day. But it wasn't all day like what was planned. I have been very sick this past week. It started out with the flu - fever, aches, vomitting, now it's turned into a horrible head cold. So we did not meet with the Neonatologist or the Pediatric Surgeon because I was just not up to it. We had our last routine ultrasound and then my regular checkup appointment. The fluid in her head increased and her head grew insize too. For my own records and for those of you that read these for the hydrocephalus facts, I am 37 weeks and Cayman's head circumference is 42.9 cm. Her two ventricles measure at 4.5 cm and 3.7 cm. For those of you that don't understand these numbers any better than I use to here's what they mean: a normal baby's ventricles should measure 1 cm or less. And a newborn girl's head circumference range should be 32.2 to 38.2. The amount of fluid in Cayman's head puts her condition in the severe range. We try hard to not let this discourage us and focus on the positive parts such as: her strong little heartbeat, which was 162 today, and her healthy active movements. She was quite the little drama queen today, constantly putting her hand up to her forehead. And she has chubby kisser cheeks. I was shocked when they estimated her weight to be 8 lbs 12 oz!! No wonder my ribs hurt!! Her stomach condition (Duodenal Atresia or "double bubble") is not allowing much fluid to move through her GI system. This has caused there to be an increased amount of amniotic fluid which puts me at greater risk for an earlier labor, which is why the doctor wanted to move up the C-section date. So, now instead of it being on the 18th, it's March 12th. I'm releaved because I'm in so much discomfort. The doctor said the increased amount of amniotic fluid is likely contributing to my discomfort in my abdomen. She is a bit concerened about my head cold and I might not be fully over it by time of the surgery. Just pray that I am! It won't stop them from doing the C-section, it will just make me that much more miserable. My checkup ended with some if-y news. I may be in the beginning stages of Preclampsia. They took my blood work and everything checked out ok with my liver and kidney, but my platelets were low, the levels of protein in my urine were high, and my blood pressure was a bit on the high side. They asked me if I had a headache and blurred vision. I laughed as I said "yeah" in a tone that sounded just like snuffalufagus. But who doesn't have a headache and some blurred vision when their head is full of crap?! So for some reason I have to go back on Monday, which is just 2 days before the C-section. They'll put the baby on a moniter and check her out, take more blood and do the whole checkup to make sure the thoughts of Preclampsia don't keep presenting itself. I'm not sure if I should go with my bag packed just in case they decide to do the C-section then or not. Right now I'm just too tired to think about anything. I motion to make a law that when one is pregnant they should not go through stress or get sick, because afterall, isn't growing a baby enough to zap everything within ya.