23 Week Baby Update

 

23 week baby update for those who want to read.

Yesterday's Appointment went okay.

Met with the geneticist and she basically just confirmed that we knew what we already knew about Hemophilia B and 22Q. She said that there is a less than a 1% chance of baby inheriting a De novo random mutation that causes 22Q given the family history and different dads and the fact that I do not carry it and the specific mutation that G has which overlaps two other areas on the 22 chromosome. She is going to discuss our case with G and Ls Hematologist, Dr. Talati to make sure that there is a plan in place to test the baby and that Dr. Talati will follow baby once they're born. We know that cord blood testing isn't super accurate and baby will have some of my factor in their blood for up to 6-8 months post birth and so we likely won't be able to test baby until that point. We're not super thrilled about an Amnio being done and so we passed on that as it's added risk in pregnancy.

My MFM appointment went okay. She confirmed that my labs do show I have cholestasis but she wants to rerun them one more time before planning induction at 36-37 weeks vs the 39 that we were planning but that definitely answers the itching I've been having that's worse at night.

Baby weighs 1lb 3oz and is very flexible. Baby had their legs over their head. I wish I could do that apparently babies are very flexible. Heart rate was in the 150s.

GI wise - - the new medicines seem to be working. I sleep wonderfully with the b6 and phenegran combo. It's better than benadryl... but really, I'm just glad it's taking the edge off of the nausea and vomiting. I wouldn't say I'm 100% because I'm not. I still throw up and still have chronic nausea but MFM said as long as I maintain my weight and not lose it, she will be happy.

Viability is in TWO days. Can you believe I'm almost 24 weeks? I plan to get a cupcake that says happy viability day on it to celebrate. One milestone closer to meeting our baby!

Baby is healthy. We know what we're having and will be having a gender reveal photo-shoot to announce on Sunday the 7th of February if all works out well.

Andrew and I agreed that we would sign up to bank our babies cord blood with Cord Blood Registry because this was something I also did with G and L. Cord Blood Banking with a private company like CBR allows the cord blood to be harvested for stem cells and stored with potential use in the future when/if conditions that can be treated with Stem Cells occur. There has been such research around these at CBR and I am honestly amazed at how far the technology has come and how advanced medicine has come as well. I've always supported stem cell research and feel there is a lot of potential in my/our children's lifetime. We saved 60% off this time too because they had a sale going until Feb 1. So we signed up and registered for that.

Andrew and I also booked a photographer for a maternity mini because she was bundling with the gender reveal announcement. And we booked our wonderful Bobbi Frohman for our full blown maternity and newborn session (because her work is phenomenal and she's our family photographer and is all around wonderful and I love working with her and her team) 

 

Maternity photos should be sometime in April I think? And newborn photos should be within the babies first 7 days of life. I remember with L, I was so bummed that I didn't get newborn and went with fresh 48, so this time around I'm not missing this chance. Plus.... Covid19 kinda changed everything.

Andrew and I bought a double stroller for the baby and L so that they can both be easier to get around places and when we go walking and do outdoor stuff. We also bought the bigger stuff for baby today as well. Things like carseats for both vehicles (since I am going to actively be working in getting my license hopefully soon!) the convertible crib, a baby carrier (and I was super excited that Andrew wanted to baby carry! There's nothing sexier to me than a man who baby carries. Okay I'm sure there are plenty but I am excited and can't wait to see him with our baby!) and a few other small things.

After we announce what we're having, we will post our registry link though my friend/one of my besties Ellen is supposed to be planning our baby shower for us. We did agree that the nursery would be Owl theme (as in Owl Always Love You) and that were looking at ideally the second week of April for the shower to take place. 

In the coming weeks, We will have a meeting with our lovely doula Vivi to discuss everything we need to discuss and plan with her.

Also in the coming weeks, we will have a repeat fetal echo (or two) at 27-28 weeks and we are scheduled for our Growth Ultrasound at 28 weeks.

I have an appointment on Thursday this week with my Rheumatologist, I see my Endocrinologist on the 8th and Diabetes Education on the 12th as well as my pain management follow up and on the 13th, Andrew and I take the baby basics course at Hillcrest.

Somewhere after 30 weeks we will also get another 4D ultrasound to look at baby.

So, lots to do and get ready for. At some point between work and college, and planning our wedding in July, We're also putting the nursery together.

PS. I feel like I'm already nesting. But baby can stay in there and bake a lot longer. It's way too early to meet baby!