It's Friday already? Monday seems like it was a million years ago. It hasn't been an easy week for us. And I am sure we have many more trying times yet to come. I started this blog a few weeks ago with so much excitement to share updates about our baby. I have had so many mixed emotions this week. And after everything we have gone through so far, I realized that it is okay to still be excited about our baby girl's growth and development.
We are 21 weeks today. Baby girl should be about 10.5 inches long. She might be a little bigger, because she weighs more than what the averages say she would. Dr. Martin told us on Tuesday she is probably weighing around 14 ounces...almost a pound. And she likes to rest all of that weight on her momma's bladder these days. Jeesh, I have to go like every 20 minutes! Her digestive system is continuing to develop and she has started to swallow amniotic fluid. She has also started practicing using her lungs a little bit, breathing in the fluid as well. We were able to see this at our Tuesday ultrasound. I can definitely feel her moving occasionally now. I can't wait for her daddy to be able to feel it too.
Looking ahead to next week a little bit; we will be heading to St Louis on Wednesday and Thursday for some diagnostic testing and meetings with doctors and specialists. We will be going to the Fetal Care Institute at Cardinal Glennon Hospital. This is probably the hospital where our little nubbin will be born. All I can say is that I am so grateful for the outstanding care and advice we have received thus far. Even over the phone the coordinators we have spoken with have been so caring and understanding. While I know these will be a couple LONG days, I am looking forward to getting more information and answers about what we are facing.
We will be learning more about the prenatal vs. post-natal surgery option for repairing the exposed nerves on baby's back. We have been reading up on the studies completed over the past few years. The New England Journal of Medicine recently published an article regarding the findings from the prenatal vs. post-natal surgery study. The article is full of statistics and medical jargon, but has a good information about the surgery.
I am so thankful for all the kind thoughts, notes and prayers that have been coming our way. I know with all the love and support we are receiving from all over we will stay strong for our sweet baby girl. Thank you!
Now on a lighter note: Ron and some of his law colleagues performed at a fundraiser variety show this past week. I know some of you saw this video on Facebook, but I just had to post it one more time. Enjoy.
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