Pictures and Medical Update

I went to the doctor for my two week check-up today (which, by the way, was the first time I've left the house in a week!).  Our baby boy weighed in at 4 pounds, 4 ounces and was 16.3 inches long.  This is according to the sonogram, but I've heard that those measurements can be really off, so who knows! 

 Somehow I got home with the DVD of another woman's sonogram.  The best part was that I didn't realize it until I was watching it with my father-in-law at home.  As I showed him his precious grandson's little heart, legs and spine I began to get suspicious.  I thought, this doesn't look like MY baby--I know my baby's body parts...  Okay, fine, I'm not that good, and the babies' due dates were actually close, so it would have been easy to go on thinking this was our child.  The things that clued me in:  1) I was suspicious from the beginning because the sonogram seemed to be going in a completely different order than I remembered from earlier this afternoon and 2) there was another woman's name printed at the top.  I'm a genius!  :)  

Back to the appointment:  the baby looked great, but my cervix did not.  I know...I'm blogging about my cervix.  Yikes!  It measured 1.5 cm which is the shortest it has been to date.  I've been a compliant bed rester, but as the baby grows, more and more pressure is put on the 

weakened cervix.  Brian's house motto since the beginning of this experience has been "Keep It Closed!".  Sound advice.  

So, what's the plan now, you ask?  More bed rest, of course.  The plan really hasn't changed much.  The doctor is still "okay" with me returning to some normal activities once I reach 34 weeks.  I keep pressing him on whether this means it's okay to return to work, and he keeps saying it depends on my level of activity while at work.  I have a long walk in and out of work (and typically the handicap sticker just gets you a place on the first floor of the parking garage--the walk is still equally far). I'm typically sitting while seeing patients, but otherwise I'm walking around our clinic getting supplies, consulting with others, bringing patient's in from the waiting area, etc...  Brian and I are still talking this

 one through, and I've been speaking with my supervisor about how much it's possible to limit my activity while at work.  

I'm still torn about the 34 weeks issue, too.  My doctor picked this point because babies born at 34 weeks or later may spend time in the NICU, but apparently there is a very small risk that they will have permanent health issues associated with prematurity (ex: permanent respiratory issues, vision problems, developmental delays).  However, I have also read, and my doctor confirmed today, that babies born between 31 and 36 weeks are 4-6 times more likely to die during their first year of life (I believe this is due to a higher risk of SIDS, RSV and other respiratory issues).  That little statistic makes me want to do everything in my power to make it to 37 weeks!  BUT, there is really no data showing that continuing bed rest beyond 34 weeks is going to keep the baby inside any longer...  UGH!  Lord knows I want off of house arrest ASAP, but it seems sort of wrong to jump back into normal life at 34 weeks.  Please pray for us as we make these decisions.

Finally, I will leave you with some pictures.

8 weeks pregnant in Puerto Rico.  There is no baby bump...that's just my tummy.

About 25 weeks 

My sister and I with Cason.  The night before Cason was born, we took a picture belly-to-belly.  This is our halfway there picture.  Soon the cousins will meet on the outside! Check out how skinny Sarah is already! (Christmas Eve-almost 31 weeks).