28 week ultrasound update

Hi friends! Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Ours was a great time spent together, but Friday morning was a mix of positive and not-so-ideal news at my ultrasound appointment. I figured I’d share an update with you all since so many of you offered to send well wishes, prayers and happy placenta moving vibes to me. Thank you so much for all of your love for our family and this little beeb. It makes my heart so warm, and means a lot to us. <3

When the tech first began the ultrasound, she checked the baby’s location (she’s head down instead of transverse now, so that’s awesome!) and the placenta right away to see how it was doing. She said that it looked far enough away that I likely wouldn’t need an internal ultrasound (halle.freakin.llujah), and that everything looked healthy and beautiful. I instantly felt a huge sigh of relief, and couldn’t wait to call or text the Pilot, who was at work for a meeting. I always love getting ultrasounds, and could have watched our baby dance on the screen all day. We checked out her spine, her brain, the chambers of her heart, her heart beat (a strong 141), the blood flow to the umbilical cord, and the tech took a variety of measurements. She was very sweet and gentle, and definitely took her time getting the measurements and letting me see our sweet growing baby.

Ultrasound pic

(She took this amazing 4d image! She was pressed up against me -that’s what the darker spots are- but I was amazed at the detail!)

Then, she went back to the heart.

She took more measurements and a lot of image captures, and of course, didn’t really tell me what was going on. I felt in my intuition that something wasn’t quite right because the tech went from being super chatty to intensely focused and quiet. 

The doctor came in to talk to me, and let me know that the placenta looked great and I was cleared to return to full activities and Orangetheory (though, let’s be real, I’m not going to go back after 2 months off and at almost 30 weeks pregnant. I’ll just wait until little miss is here to make my return). He then went on to say that our baby has Ventricular Septal Defect, or VSD, which is a mild heart defect. Essentially, the blood between the two lower chambers is supposed to be separated, and a small hole is currently allowing blood to flow from the left to right side. It can cause a heart mumur, but over time, could cause the heart and lungs to work harder and lead to cardiac issues. It’s all dependent on the size of the hole. He said that sometimes this resolves on its own (and could even resolve itself before birth), and sometimes they need to go in and patch the small hole. The doctor assured me that this wasn’t caused by anything I’ve done, and there’s nothing we can really do to fix it. It’s a matter of waiting, monitoring and taking necessary steps from there.  I’m no longer a candidate for a birth center birth because the baby’s heart will need to be continuously monitored, but will be able to deliver with a midwife and our doula in labor and delivery. The baby will need an echocardiogram shortly after birth, and it will need to be monitored until it either resolves itself or if they decide they need to patch the hole.

We feel very blessed that the baby is otherwise very healthy and everything seems to be going well so far. At the same time, it was a bit overwhelming and scary to receive this type of news, especially since I was alone at the appointment. I sat in the car and cried in the parking lot until I could call Tom and tell him what was going on. I also texted Katy, because I remembered that her daughter was diagnosed with the same condition and it has thankfully repaired itself. It hit me pretty hard how much I love this little baby already, and while worrying won’t help anything, I couldn’t help myself. Now I’m focused on remaining hopeful that it will resolve itself, researching the condition so I’m familiar with the terminology and potential outcomes, and giving thanks that in the grand scheme of things, it’s something minor and can be fixed if needed. We have a fetal echocardiogram awaiting approval so we can get her heart checked by a specialist to determine the size and next steps we’ll need to take. 

Just wanted to share a little update with you all. Thank you again for all of your love and prayers and for being so wonderful.

xoxo

Gina and the familia

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191 Comments

  1. Cassie on July 29, 2015 at 4:14 pm

    You are SO strong & your baby will get that from her momma. I will be keeping y’all in my thoughts,

    • Fitnessista on July 30, 2015 at 12:11 pm

      thank you so much, cassie!

  2. Sasha M on July 30, 2015 at 2:55 am

    Hi Gina,

    I’m neither a mother nor a doctor. But my best friend’s niece was born with a hole in her heart (VSD), similar to what you described. She was operated as a new born. She is 16 now and as fit & active, and healthy as any teen could be! There are a few more children in my circle of acquaintances who were born with this condition and who’re now perfectly normal post-surgery.
    My own brother-in-law’s brother also discovered at the age of 40 that he was born with a hole in his heart! He was an athlete! He too underwent a surgery & resumed his athletics without issue.

    Lots of love and blessings and prayers

    • Fitnessista on July 30, 2015 at 12:08 pm

      that’s very reassuring to hear! thank you for the love and prayers, too <3 xoxox

  3. Katherine K on July 30, 2015 at 9:03 am

    Thoughts and good vibes going to you and your little one! Although there’s obviously more to focus on than just your L&D experience, you will do a beautiful job! In my experience, the OB and L&D staff at our local hospital were incredibly focused on making sure our experience was both safe and comfortable. You’re somebody who seems to excel in communicating your desires, and listening to feedback, and I have no doubt you’ll get through like a champ, even if it isn’t exactly what you envisioned. Best of luck!!

    • Fitnessista on July 30, 2015 at 12:04 pm

      thank you so much <3

  4. Stephanie on July 30, 2015 at 7:50 pm

    So sorry for your tough news, I wanted to share with you that I was born with a VSD and was supposed to have surgery as a baby but they discovered that my hole in my heart had begun to close so it was thankfully not needed. I did have a heart murmur as a child also but age 18 they did a scope and discovered that the VSD & murmur had healed and completely closed. I was very blessed and able to function fully as a child and now as an adult and have never had any activity limitations. Prayers for you all and for your sweet baby!

  5. Jennifer Abplanalp on August 1, 2015 at 6:41 am

    Hello- I’m a fairly new reader of yiur bkog- which I love! So sorry to hear about your baby’s VSD! My son was born with one and had to have surgery at 3 months. I wrote a short blog post about it here http://www.itsawonderblog.com/2014/12/my-sons-open-heart-surgery-to-repair.html?m=1#comment-form

    If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me! It’s scary for sure, but he is so much healthier after the surgery!

    Jenn

    • Fitnessista on August 3, 2015 at 2:16 pm

      thank you so much, jenn. happy to hear that your little guy is doing well now!

  6. Kimberly on August 2, 2015 at 2:33 pm

    Praying for you all and that your baby girl will be fine.

    • Fitnessista on August 3, 2015 at 2:13 pm

      thank you! <3

  7. Pam on August 3, 2015 at 9:37 am

    Sending positive thoughts, prayers, and healing energy to you and your baby! I know it will all be fine and your baby will be strong and beautiful just like her momma. xoxo

    • Fitnessista on August 3, 2015 at 2:09 pm

      thank you, lovely- i appreciate it!

  8. Meredith on August 7, 2015 at 8:54 am

    Sending you lots of love, Gina! I know your strength and positive energy will help you, your sweet little one, and the family get through this and that everything will turn out OK! <3 <3 <3 <3

  9. Ali on August 13, 2015 at 9:58 pm

    A niece of mine was born with the hole still in her heart, and they patched her right up, and she is now a healthy, happy teenager! I am sending you and the little one all my love <3 <3 <3

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