The opinion of the perinatologist

Today was my appointment with the perinatologist to come up with the game plan for this pregnancy.  We also got to get all of my test results back from the vials and vials and vials of blood given :)

I started the appointment with one of my favorites from when i was on hospital bed rest.  She is great, so kind, compassionate and just really clear on her instructions.

First we went through medical and pregnancy history.  She had all of it but she wanted to clarify a lot of it.  We also went through the test results to come up with a plan for the remainder of this pregnancy.  It goes something like this:

1) Beginning at 18 weeks (which is only 3 weeks away!!  Can you believe it?) I will start cervical checks via ultrasound every 2 weeks.  We will continue this until 26 weeks.  Typically if the cervix does not change by then, it won't. 

2) Beginning at 18 weeks and continuing every 4 weeks we will be doing growth ultrasounds to check the growth of the baby.

3) The majority of the tests came back negative.  The test for Leiden factor 5 did not.  This is a genetic clotting disorder.  As you age, the risks become stronger.  I am to continue taking baby aspirin, pretty much for the rest of my life, and if I start having problems, or baby is slowing in growth I will start heparin shots daily.

4) I will more than likely start progesterone shots.  I will find out at my next doctor's appointment (Friday June 4) and more than likely start them at the same time.  These are to be administered at home, lucky Dusty :P

My goal is to get to 36 weeks.  If I can get there, baby can go home with us and not visit the NICU.  She doesn't think I will get much further than this and I should be prepared to deliver sooner.  At this point, her goal is to prolong my pregnancy as far as possible and if I do rupture, to do it later than I did with Matthew.

I am still cleared to fly, I just have to take medical records and be aware of near-by hospitals.   And of course, hope for the best :)