As Tom mentioned, I'm home from the hospital, at least for now. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, where we will get the results of the 24-hour urine test that I finished there, and they'll also do another blood pressure check. So far, our home measurements since I got back from the hospital look about the same as they did there, so if I can manage to keep my duff in bed, hopefully I can stay home. Of course, that means Tom is going to have to get a crash course in cooking, since I'm supposed to be keeping an eye on my salt intake, so he can't just feed me frozen corn dogs any more. :-)
I had another ultrasound at the hospital this afternoon, which estimated the baby's weight at 6lb 13oz, which is huge for 33 weeks (99th percentile). The ultrasound estimates can be off by 20% or more in either direction, though. (The measurement by a different ultrasound place a week ago said 5lb 5oz, which would be 84th percentile - still pretty big, but not enormous. But we don't think she could really gain a pound and a half in a week). The weights are based on measuring the head diameter, the abdomen diameter, and the length of the femur. I also have a little more amniotic fluid than average (it measures "high normal"). The doctor who took the ultrasound said that the only potentially negative effect of this is that it can cause you to go into labor early, but that in my case, the preeclampsia would probably outrace the fluid as a determining factor for when labor starts, anyway.
Generally speaking, the perinatologist says there's not a whole lot that can be done for preeclampsia other than to try to slow it down like this. She says that it starts very early (maybe at conception), and that the only "cure" is to deliver the baby. So right now, it's mostly a balancing act between my health and hers. I'm in pretty good shape, and she seems fine on the ultrasounds, so they're not looking at inducing me yet. If there are signs that the placenta is becoming compromised (she starts moving less, her heart rate drops or doesn't accelerate appropriately on the NSTs, or they see reduced blood flow in the cord on an ultrasound), then they'll almost certainly induce me. If the blood pressure or other symptoms get serious enough to endanger my health, then they'll evaluate based on how well she would be expected to do out versus how well I would be expected to do with her in.
Other than that, there's not a whole lot to report. I'll post another update after my doctor's appointment, assuming I don't get sent back to the hospital. I don't have a web connection there, which is probably why I got a lot of work done today. :-) Thanks to everyone for the supportive emails and phone calls - I really appreciate it!
Posted by Elizabeth Nugent at February 19, 2004 10:53 PMFollowing from SN.....happy to read the update :o) In all seriousness though, I could've written your EXACT post/update a year ago! Bedrest really worked for me.....I was on bedrest from 28-36 weeks.
My baby too measured BIG during u/s, but was not as big as thought at delivery 6.11. But, I am sure it was explained to you that high bp can cause reduced blood flow to the baby and therefore the baby does not gain as much, and results in a small baby. Luckily, for you (and me), that is one less thing to worry about.
Just a little warning which may or may not apply to you, do not be surprised if when you have your bp taken during your appts it is high. I often found that it would get high from all the hustle and bustle of getting to the appt and such. It would always go down after laying on my left side.
Please e-mail me if you would like more info, or I can send you my blog site dates from when I was on bedrest, and you can compare stories ;o)
Take care of yourself and that wee lil' one!!!!!
Posted by: Karen at February 20, 2004 10:49 AM