Today we went to the doctor's to check on baby Parker. We had a scheduled ultrasound to start our appointment. My uterus/belly growth has been measuring over since about 20 weeks. I have measured 1-2 weeks over and at my last appointment, I measured 3 weeks over. The doctor suggested I get an ultrasound at the start of this appointment to determine course of action based on Parker's size. Well Parker was measured and at 35 weeks and 4 days old, Parker measured a whopping (drum roll please.....)
8.2 pounds!
Yes, that's right...our "little man" is in the 90% percentile for weight and size before he is even born. I also found out today from my ultrasound that I have Polyhydramnios. That basically means that I have an excessive amount of amniotic fluid in my uterus, which is allowing Parker to grow so big and it adding to my belly measuring so big. Most babies don't have any excess room to grow at this point, and Parker has a whole swimming pool. This only happens in about 1% of pregnancies. There are many causes for polyhydramnios (birth defects, genetic abnormality, diabetes), but all of my previous test results showed that my case does not seem to fall under any of these. I seem to fall in the 60-65% of cases for which there is "no known cause." I am hoping it does not point to anything more.
The doctor met with us and told us what the next steps will be. In two weeks (37 and a half weeks) I have to have another ultrasound that will give us a more current update of his size and growth rate. He will compare today's ultrasound to the one in two weeks to determine his rate of growth. He will also remeasure the excess fluid area, which he hopes to see either has stayed the same or decreased some. It should not be increasing at this point, as this could present some complications at birth. In two weeks, depending upon his current size and the area of fluid, I will either be induced for labor at 39 weeks if there is a possibility that I can deliver Parker safely or we will be scheduled for a c-section at 39 weeks. The doctor would really like me to try to carry Parker until 39 weeks, unless my body says otherwise and starts early labor before then.
Please say some prayers for us that:
1) The fluid area will not increase
2) The Polyhydramnios is not a result of something more serious with baby Paker
3) Parker's size does not grow more than half a pound in the next two weeks.
4) That there is a healthy mommy and a healthy baby at the end of all of this, regardless of what type of birth we need to have
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers...I will keep you updated on our "Big Man!"
Lauren - that's one big baby! Speaking from my experience working with prenatals and genetic testing, polyhydramnios without any other signs usually means nothing. I will be praying for you guys that everything goes smooth sailing from here on out and that the excess fluid is just allowing that big baby to exercise a little before he makes his grand entrance into this world. Love you guys and thanks for the updates!
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