Quick Specialist Appt Update

We went to the specialist Friday (this was the second time we’ve been there). Here is the information we found out:

- My fluid was only measuring 6AFI (last time the specialists measured me in the normal range at 11 AFI)…so that was disappointing.
- Rock’s weight estimate was 3 lbs 12 oz which put him in the 31st percentile for size (better than the last measurement at the OBGYN’s office that put him in the 22nd percentile)…so that was positive.
- He’s still measuring 5 days small, but that has been the norm since the beginning of my pregnancy…so that was neutral.
- His Doppler reading for the umbilical cord blood flow was normal and Rock was practicing his breathing, which the doctor said “he must be feeling good”…so those were both positive.
- Rock and I have to go back to the specialist weekly now because of my low fluid level and because they saw one measurement that may indicate Rock is having a hard time pumping blood back to the placenta (now they want to monitor him closer)…so that’s positive and negative (we get to keep a close eye on our son, but it’s never fun to go to the ‘high risk specialist’ weekly!).
- Lastly, I’ve been instructed to submerge in a tub or pool for 40 minutes everyday to see if it helps increase my fluid levels. That’s not an easy feat in a bath tub right now (more of me is out of the water than in!)…so Phil and I have been ‘closing down’ the pool every night for three nights now. There’s no guarantee that this will help, but when I had the following conversation with the doctor, I was very motivated to try my best at soaking every night…

The conversation started with the doctor saying, “When we hospitalize women for low fluid, we make them soak in a tub for 40 minutes everyday.” I then asked, “How low does the fluid have to get before you’ll hospitalize someone for it?” To which the doctor answered, “Not much lower than you are now.” Needless to say, we committed to going to the pool EVERYDAY after that!

Oh yeah, I don’t have a maternity bathing suit, so don’t freak out if you see me and my belly at the pool!!!