Whew!

Wow, this has been quite a week. I started my maternity leave this week, a week earlier than planned, and it's a really good thing. It's already Thursday, and I've had 7 separate medical appointments this week. I would be a raving lunatic by now if I had been trying to wrap up my work obligations in between them all.

Now, I know you're all dying to know what all these appointments were, right?

Monday:
- Maternal Fetal Medicine at my hospital for my weekly Non-Stress Test
- Gestational Diabetes Clinic at my hospital to check in with the nurse on diet and blood sugar levels

Tuesday:
- 37 week appointment with my OB at my hospital

Wednesday:
- U/S at Children's hospital in Boston in the Advanced Fetal Care Unit where I was referred to look at some extra fluid that was picked up last week in Luigi's left kidney.
- Consultation with the pediatric urologist at Children's

Thursday:
- Maternal Fetal Medicine at my hospital for a Bio Physical Profile and a measurement which will be used to determine everything. More on that in a minute...
- Check in with my primary care to get a refill on my prescription for my thyroid medication. She insists upon seeing me, even though multiple medical professionals have been monitoring my levels over the past 8 months. I guess I get it. I thought about asking the Endo I see at the diabetes clinic to refill it, but thought I would be breaking some sort of protocol. Today, she asked me why he didn't refill it for me! Oh well, not like I have that much better to do then spend my afternoon in a doctor's office, right?!

As for the kidney thing, in case anyone else comes across this issue, it's called hydronephrosis, it is a very common diagnosis, and is more common in boys. It often resolves on it's own, but is a sign that Luigi might end up with a kidney or urinary tract infection as an infant. The reason they like to follow up on this issue is that a kidney infection in an infant presents exactly like meningitis, which merits an extensive battery of testing, which would perhaps not be the first thing they would start if they are aware of the potential for kidney issues. Luigi's was found to be very mild, and no further treatment is recommended at this point. We need to take him in for an ultrasound when he's four weeks old to follow up. So, we're not going to worry about that right now. So, the whole thing was just a hassle that bought be 6 hours at the hospital yesterday. But, the bonus was that I got a few really good 3D ultrasound photos of our sweet Luigi's face.

OK, now back to the measurements today. Thankfully, Luigi measured about 8 lbs. today, which is in the 85th percentile, as opposed to the 7.5 lbs./99th percentile they got 2.5 weeks ago. Interestingly enough, Children's yesterday was closer to 7 lbs. Just goes to show how inaccurate these things can be, and that they are truly just an estimate. Anyway, we are in a gray area, approaching the 4500 grams (approximately 10 lbs.) which is the cut off suggested for a gestational diabetic to have a c-section. But, we're not over yet! The MFM today took many measurements of Luigi's belly and the highest weight she got was 4100 grams. She seems to think there is hope for trying a vaginal delivery and wasn't pushing me right towards a scheduled surgery like was suggested a few weeks ago. There is still risk of shoulder dystoscia, which frankly, sounds horrifying, but she put it at less than 10%. She herself was told her baby would be 9 lbs., but was able to deliver normally a 7 lb. baby, and said she would have been very disappointed had she gone right for the surgery. She also said that a lot will depend on my OB's examination of my pelvis to get a sense of the wiggle room I have available. I have mentioned that I've always had wide hips, right? I'm feeling more hopeful at the moment. Of course, if he doesn't decide to come on his own, and I get induced, the chance of it ended up in a c-section is still about 40%. And a c-section after a tough labor is sort of the worst of all possible scenarios. So, I'm thinking that in the next few days, we need start to work on encouraging Luigi to make his entrance a little bit early!

I feel like there was more in my head that I wanted to write about, but that's a brain at 37 weeks pregnant for you. Whatever the thought was is gone by now. I will share a few of the 3D images once I scan them in. I got even more at today's u/s. Is that crazy by the way, two days in a row? My goodness.