Follow-up with Specialist

We had our follow-up ultrasound with the specialist at 30 weeks.  Baby is estimated to be weighing just over 3 lbs and measuring right at 30 weeks.  The 'spot' noted on the heart during the original u/s was not even found this time, which was good.  However, the baby's kidneys are now both enlarged.  The doctor was still not overly concerned as my amniotic fluid level was still perfectly fine, which means the baby's kidneys are functioning properly.  The doctor is also still saying it is likely this may just clear up once the baby is born, but we still need to monitor it to be sure the kidneys are continuing to function properly.  So while we were not thrilled to hear the kidneys have gotten larger, at least the doctor sees no reason to be any more concerned.

The latest develpment to keep us on our toes is the fact that I now may have high blood pressure.  Since I've never had high bp a day in my life, we were shocked to find this out!  I had to get a bp cuff to bring home as the doctor wants me to check my bp 2-3 times per day through the weekend and give her my numbers on Monday.  This way she can determine if my bp is truly high or if it was just that day.  She also explained that during pregnancy, bp is lower than normal.  So while I have been checking my bp since the appointment and it's been at a fairly 'normal' level, it may still be high for being pregnant.  But we'll see next week what they have to say.  If my bp continues to be high or get higher, I will be checked for pre-eclampsia.  Whether I have that or not, with high bp I will need to be checked twice weekly, and the baby given stress tests and an u/s weekly.  I could also be put on bp medication if needed.

Let us tell you, it's always 'exciting' around here.  Never just a normal appointment!  The only positive to all this is that we keep getting to see the baby on the u/s!

Here is another profile view of Baby T at 30 weeks:

Baby really doesn't like having the u/s done and likes to kick at and move away from the technician!  So this time was hard to get a good picture.  What was super adorable, though, was that when the technician very first started the u/s, the baby had it's hands right up around it's face and resting on the face JUST like our last u/s picture!  I'll be curious to see if this is a habit that continues after birth.  :)

And here are a few more growing belly pictures- and growing I am!  While everybody else continues to tell me how small I am... Nick and I sure feel like I'm getting huge!

27 weeks

27 weeks from the front

29 weeks

Hopefully the next update isn't quite so eventful!
Carrie