Thursday, October 29, 2009

10 Weeks

So I went in for my appointment with my new Perinatologist today, per the recommendation of my Midwife. He was very nice, which was a relief. I had some issues with his secretaries trying to make my appointment, and I did everything but go through the phone and strangle them. I digress.

He made a copy of my Thyroid labs and my medications. He said that my medications were the lowest dose that I could possibly receive. Which he assumed would probably not bring my Thyroid down to where I need it to be. There's a possibility that these doses will work, but the stronger possibility is that they will need to be increased. The meds themselves were appropriate though, and thats a relief since I have been taking them since Monday.

I still don't feel any different. My heartrate is less bounding, but it is still high. All in all, it will take at least a month for the meds to fully kick in. The doctor suggested that when I get my Thyroid levels drawn in 4 weeks to add a TSI (Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin) to the labs. This lab will test if this immunoglobulin is present in my blood. If it is present, it is the reason my Thyroid levels are so high. He said it would be better for me to NOT have it present, because if it's present in my blood, then it is in the baby's as well. This would cause the baby's Thyroid to start overproducing Thyroid hormone. Which we don't want. The baby doesn't start using its own Thyroid until the 13 or 14 week of gestation, so I'm hoping my meds are appropriate and working well by that time. So please be praying that this is not present in my blood. I want what is best for the baby.

Another concern that he had was that the medications that I am on pass through the placenta to the baby. That means that my Thyroid med and my heart med would also be working on the baby's Thyroid and heart. :(  These drugs could suppress his or her's Thyroid. This would trigger the baby's Thyroid to work harder to make up for the lack of the hormone, thus causing Hyperthyroidism in the baby. That is why the higher the doses of these medications that I require to keep my Thyroid levels appropriate, are dangerous to the baby. So the lower doses required the better. I won't know exaclty which levels are appropriate for me until I get my levels checked. Even then, it can be back and forth with the doses until we find the right one. Please be praying that these low doses that I am on do the trick.

He looked at the baby to make sure that everything was alright. WOW!!  What changes occur in a couple of weeks!!!  The baby looks like a baby! Well, Dan said it kind of looked like a snowman. :)  The baby's facial features are in place and were somewhat visible. We were able to see the small eyes, nose and mouth!! The baby's arms were clearly visible and moving! The baby had a very large belly. Which I had the doctor quickly verifiy to NOT BE ANOTHER HEAD. Just one little turkey in there. :)  He moved the image around and we were able to see the legs, but the Ultrasound picture we received only shows the head, arms, and belly. Hence, our little snowman. We heard that wonderful heartbeat, which is a bit faster now--176 bpms. He said the baby looked great! GREAT NEWS!!

Here is our little one.

I turned the Ultrasound photo on its side to clearly see the baby. My womb is in the shape of a heart!!!! LOVE THIS PHOTO SO MUCH!  Head is the circle on the top, baby's right arm is visible, then that big old belly.

Dan called Marcie to update her on the way home, and he told her we were having a snowman.  :) so funny.

The baby's head is down though and right where it is supposed to be. The way the picture was taken was looking at it with the words right side up. It's easier to see the baby the way I posted it though.

The baby has grown from 0.8cms to now 1 inch in length! In just 3 weeks!

Our real life representation is a dried strawberry. I was hoping to find a more attractive strawberry, but this ones size was closest. Don't worry, I'm sure the baby's much cuter!

So much growth!!!!!

I have to go back and see this doctor the week of Thanksgiving, right before Dan and I come home to Michigan!! Before that appointment I have to get my levels checked at my PCP's office and possibly adjust my doses. I am not considered high risk at this point, but he wants to follow up with me along with my Midwives.

Midwife appointment is next Thursday at 11 weeks! I will update then. One thing he said is that to make sure everything is alright we will have to do more ultrasounds throughout the pregnancy. Fine by me. :)