27 Weeks - Start of Third Trimester

After a fun-filled  weekend with the Rellers  in town (Dan's sister Missy and family) and a very exciting family birthday celebration last night for Jack (almost 2!) and his Lenmark cousins McLain (1) and Lily (4) we took a lot of positivity into our appointment this morning.

Unfortunately we learned that Baby Sophia has a "mild" degree of "ascites" which is fluid in her abdomen. We had been told this a few weeks ago (at 24 weeks) but after 2nd opinions they said it was only a very trace amount. So over the past three weeks this trace amount has increased. The good thing is that it is not yet technically"hydrops" but the High Risk OB said that he is concerned. 

They are now having us go in for OB appointments every other day to monitor the fluid in her abdomen and to do a Biophysical Profile which looks at the amniotic fluid level and provides information about the Sophia's muscle tone, activity and breathing movements.

We also have a Family Care Meeting scheduled with our Cardiologist (Dr. Rios) and the Surgeons from Children's Hospital this Friday afternoon to better understand what Sophia's surgeries will entail.

We are obviously very concerned but couldn't feel more confident and comfortable with our OB group.  Dr. Calvin (OB) sat with us and let us ask a million questions and kept asking us "Are you comfortable with this plan?" No one has asked us that question, so knowing they are taking care of us emotionally is very comforting.

So, with all of this new information, the plan is to go in for OB appointments every other day. Dr. Cavlin and Dr. Rios said that they will constantly be weighing the risks/benefits of her remaining in utero versus taking her early. Dr. Rios said today that we need to keep her in utero as long as possible in order for her to gain more weight so she is stronger for surgery. Dr. Calvin also mentioned giving me a "booster" lung shot but will wait to see how she does this week. At least this time I will have a heads up regarding possible contractions as a side effect :)

Thank you all so much for the messages. It means so much to know we have such an amazing support system. After appointments like today's, which can be a bit discouraging, it is so comforting to know that we have so many people rooting for us and that we are not in this alone.