Fetal Echo Update
(When things are getting a little crowded in there!)
Giant sigh of relief from yesterday’s appointment. Thank you again for all of your heartfelt comments, thoughts and prayers leading up the echo. We appreciate it so much, and I wanted to share an update with ya:
Baby’s VSD is “very small.”
Our fetal echocardiogram was yesterday morning. Leading up to it, I tried to focus on what was in my power, instead of the what-ifs and everything that was out of my control. I researched like crazy, so I’d be familiar with possible scenarios and the terminology, tried as hard as I could to “relax,” and during my meditations each night, I spent some time praying and picturing the tiny hold closing. Despite my best efforts, I was still a bit nervous/anxious this past weekend leading up to the appointment. The Pilot had to work, so my friend Betsy offered to go with me. Not only did she go to the early appointment, but she drove. She didn’t want me to worry about driving if we got unsettling news, and didn’t want me to be alone. She’s amazing.
We got there nice and early, and the ultrasound tech lead us back to the room. She was the kindest and most gentle of the techs (who have all been wonderful), with all of the ultrasounds and testing we’ve had. We got to see the baby, she commented on how active she is, and she moved onto the standard measurements, gently pressing on my belly as the ultrasound wand moved around. Every wand movement was melt with a “belly wave” from little miss, who makes my stomach look like dancing lava.
Baby is measuring TWO AND A HALF WEEKS ahead! Either little lady is going to make an early debut, or I just cook big babies. 😉 (Liv was 8 lbs 6 oz, and I’ve heard babies get progressively bigger. My nana on my dad’s side had a 9-lb baby and a 10-pounder, so it could certainly run in the family.) They estimated that she weighs 5 lbs 6 oz already.
After the standard measurements (head, stomach, length), and watching baby move around (which I could do all day), she zoomed into the heart, and I had to remind myself to breathe.
She spent some time exploring the chambers and measuring velocity, and alternated between black-and-white and colored images (red and blue, which indicate blood flow between the chambers). Next, the pediatric cardiologist joined us and started to look at the images with the tech. They whispered back and forth for a while -which is a little awkward when you’re lying there on the table, desperately wanting to know what’s going on- and finally, the cardiologist told me that the VSD is “very small.” She said, “Not even small. Very small. Also, it’s in the ideal spot, which is between the muscle. In 95% of cases it repairs itself in this location, so I’m confident that it will. If for some reason it doesn’t, we wouldn’t need to repair this one.”
My eyes are stinging as I type this, because it was such a relief to hear and we are so thankful. Even if it did need to be repaired eventually, we’re also thankful that in the grand scheme of things, this is small, and she’s otherwise completely healthy from what we can tell. As much as I wish I could say the worrying would end when she’s in my arms, she’s taken her first breath, and we’ve counted tiny fingers and toes, I know now from our experience with Livi that it’s where the worrying can truly begin. You’re always worried about your baby and making sure they’re healthy, happy, safe, warm, fed, and giving them as much love as you possibly can. We already love this little lady so much, and it’s exciting to think that she’ll be here soon.
xoxo
Gina and the Familia
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Best. News. Ever!
<3!
So happy for you! Yay!
That’s great news! I can only imagine how stressful that must have been.
So happy for you, what great relief. I’m sure there have been so many prayers sent from people all around the world who you don’t know, but care about you loads! May she carry on growing stronger! My second baby was a while kilogram bigger than my first but no complications getting him out if it makes you feel any better! You’ve paved the way already xx
So happy that you and your family got good news! 🙂
I’m so glad to hear your news!!
That is such wonderful, encouraging news! Sending positive thoughts for a smooth last few weeks and a healthy little one!
So happy to hear this. Sending you guys love!
thank you!
Yay, praise the Lord! Sounds like faith, prayer and visualizations works:)
That’s great news! She sounds perfect! Can’t wait till she makes her debut! Oh…and I just love a chubby baby!
i LOVE CHUBBY BABIES. thigh rolls are my favorite ever
very happy for you! wishing you the best during your final weeks of pregnancy 🙂
What wonderful news!
Yay!!!!! Wonderful wonderful news!!! The best 🙂 xoxoxo.
SO SO SO happy for you and baby!! Wishing you all the very best and so much love! <3
What wonderful news! We had a fetal echo yesterday (this is an IVF baby and echos are now being routinely recommended after IVF because of the small increase in certain heart issues). The doctor detected a small arrhythmia and I was completely freaked out after hearing that news. I just read your posts again and am feeling a lot more calm. We were told that most likely the arrhythmia will just go away on its own, but it is still so scary to hear. I am trying to think positively and hoping for good news at our recheck appointment next week.
i’m hoping it resolves itself for you! it’s definitely scary to hear that something might not be *perfect*. hopefully this will end up being a non-issue for you! sending love to you <3
Thank you so much – I really appreciate your positive thoughts! I know that “perfect” trap can be a tough one, but I know this little one will be the most beautiful thing I have ever seen no matter what happens.
So happy to hear the appointment went well! My little heart warrior had her AV canal defect repaired 12 weeks ago. It was the worst day of my life but the best day of hers. Her life is completely different now!
Hi GIna, I hadn’t read your blog in a while and I am sooo glad you got good news at your fetal echo. I have a heart baby that was born with d-transposition of the great arteries and ironically if he would’ve had a vsd it would’ve helped him a bit (to mix oxygen into his blood) he had open heart surgery at 9 days old. We didn’t find out in utero and it was one of the scariest days of my life… He is now 15 months old and thank God he is healthy now. He might need to go through another surgery in 2-3 decades but we’re hoping and praying that he won’t. Best wishes to you and your family, God bless and if you ever need any encouraging words you can email me, I just got certified as a Mended Little Hearts visiting coordinator. Best of luck to you and you
thank you so much, brenda. so sorry you’ve been through everything you have, but so happy to hear that he is doing well now. i’ll be thinking about you and your fam <3
Thank you, I’ll be praying for you and your baby. Remember there’s always a support group near you full of heart-mamas ready to share their stories and encouraging words for you 🙂
thank you! <3