Final Visit!

We went to Syracuse for one last visit before the c-section.  We visited the perinatalogist and had one last anatomy scan.  Katie is looking great, growing well, and is estimated to be 5lbs4oz and 15%!  Her percentile went down a little but she is so big now they were having trouble getting a good head measurement which figures prominently in the size calculation. 

 

Then we went to the pediatric cardiologists for a final fetal echo to check Katie’s heart.  This is our fourth fetal echo because every time Katie has been in position that they could not see all the parts that they needed.  This time they could not get any good pictures of the heart EXCEPT the one part they needed!  They got great pictures of the pulmonary artery which really helped with the diagnosis.

The cardiologist, based upon what he was able to see this visit, no longer thinks the emergency surgery in the first few days of life will be necessary.  The pulmonary artery was a little narrow, but the blood flow was strong, the rate of blood flow was only a little above normal, and everything else was looking pretty good.  Of course, there are always variables which could change the situation, but for now we are thinking we will be able to hold off on surgery until Katie is 4-6 months old!

We will, of course, know even more once Katie is born.  Just after birth the doctors will do another heart echo and will then be able to get really good pictures of every part.  Then we should go into a ‘wait and see’ pattern of regular check-ups to catch any sign that her heart or lungs are starting to strain.  Some situations can be helped by medications, to keep her healthy until she is older, and then will ultimately be fixed by the surgery.  

We were also told during the ultrasound that Katie is taking practice breaths.  This is totally normal for all babies at this age, but it was really awesome to see.  Her diaphragm was moving, her belly was getting bigger and then contracting down, pushing fluid into and out of her lungs.  Very cool!

It really was wonderful news all around.  Now we get to relax and wait to meet little Katie!

Here we are at 37 weeks.  Officially full term!