Growth Update

Today was a rough day.  I had an ultrasound to measure for growth and they estimated that the Littlest Warrior weighs 3.5 lbs.  The average baby at her gestational age weighs around 4.75 lbs.  The doctors have always warned us that she will be small, as growth restriction is one of the most common complications with gastroschisis.  Also, weight estimates with gastro babies are notoriously low and it’s very common for them to weigh more at birth than what was previously estimated.  That’s because one of the three inputs in the estimate is abdominal circumference, which is obviously smaller for gastro babies.  

Even though I know all this, I was still hoping for at least 4 lbs.  I think all the highs and lows, or the pregnancy hormones (or both) are starting to take their toll on me.  I was pretty upset and in tears after the ultrasound.  Then they put the Littlest Warrior on the monitor and she didn’t do as well as she usually does.  She had a couple of short decelerations and a long stretch when her heart rate was racing pretty fast without any variation.  The nurses and my doctor said that every baby has bad stretches, and that she’s not going to be perfect every time.  But they are keeping me on continuous monitoring until tomorrow to be cautious.  Fortunately she is back to her normal self now.  In my infinite medical wisdom, I’ve surmised that she was able to sense my stress and that made her a little stressed, too.  

Tomorrow we’ll meet with my perinatologist to see what he thinks about the growth restriction and whether that changes our course of action.  I should have more information after that.  For now I've got an America's Next Top Model finale to watch, which will hopefully chase these blues away!