Not sure what to make of this news...

[carriep]

So ladies, I had my ob appointment yesterday and little Luciana looks wonderful, no issues, just over 3 pounds at 29 weeks. I'm not swelling, he said that my neck veins were flat, liver looks good, no signs of hf. I asked if he had gotten my echo results from the week before and he had not so he said he would call me later to discuss them when he received it. Last night he called and said that while the heart size has stayed the same there was a slight drop in the lv function to 50% (which I already knew) and he wanted to keep an eye on it. As there were no other indications of hf, he wasn't sure if it was a read error or I was on my way down to hf. He said to stay off my feet at least 6 hours a day (with a 2 yo) and schedule an echo for earlier than 32 weeks.....at 31 to see if there had been a shift. If I have decreased to 40, I get to go and hang out in the hospital and get pumped up with digixion and lasix and will be induced at 34 weeks. Exciting huh?
I really don't feel sick, no symptoms of anything. I really hope he is just being overly cautious (which is why we chose him). He did say that he has seen echos at 50 and 2 weeks later at 70. I just can't stop thinking about this little girl having to come into the world early. I'm not worried about myself, really I am not. We made this decision knowing full well what could happen.
I guess I wanted to just talk bc I don't want to tell my family bc they will be crazy and what's the use until there's really something to tell. I can't stand people worrying about me. It makes me nuts, so we'll see how long I can keep quiet.
Thanks for listening and really I think its just being overcautious bc I don't feel like hf. I am sob, but my stomach is pushed into my lungs. Isn't that often the case at this stage of pg????

[mom2gageandkeely]

Maybe you can discuss with him, a chance of an earlier delivery if problems arise. My doctor was over precautious and decided at 30 weeks when my Blood pressure elevated to give steriods and induce at 32 weeks. Keely was only in ICU for one day. Ofcourse I had an amnio on her lungs before delivery and it is different for every baby. Good luck!

[mikeyandBellesmommy]

Well belive me I know it is scary since it happened to me but remember a few things

1. 50% is still good and it can just be a read error
2. Girls lungs mature faster than boys so even if she is born at 34 weeks there is a good chance she will be born perfect with no problems
3. If it is a decline they already caught it and your chances of recovery are really good if they catch it early
4. You don't have much time left

DO what your doc says my ef was at 40 and all I had was a little nausea.. I would have never known my ef was down..


keep us posted relax and try to enjoy the last few weeks of your pregnancy!

Cari

[julie]

All I can say Is I wish u luck and peace(and a very healthy baby of course!!) I definitely hope that the dr is just erring on the ide of caution. It is wayyy better to catch it now if it is something rather than later. Hang in there!

[Mindyt]

It sounds scary but your EF is still good and hopefully will stay that way. Even though it may be freaking you out now, I would rather have a doctor that is overly cautious than one that says "no problem!" when there truely is something to worry about. At least he is on top of things so if there is further concern, your daughter can be delivered earlier to keep you both safe.
Did your doctor do a BNP? I know Dr. Fett always talked about that as being a cheap, effective way to determine if there is a problem even before your heart starts to show a problem. Maybe that would be an important test to ask about.
Good luck to you...you are almost there!:)

[sfekke]

Don't freak out. It may be normal to have a little EF decline I've been told. Have your BNP levels changed?

[LauraNP]

Please try not to worry. Even if your baby was born RIGHT NOW at 29 weeks they would have a 95% chance of survival. She will be fine at 34 weeks. When you get closer if you have questions about the NICU I can answer more questions.

You'll be ok.

[tabs]

I think that your doctor is being very cautious. Take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy this last stage before you start pacing the floors saying come on out, I've had enough!:p Seriously though, 50% is still great, but it is always wise to start slowing things down and resting more at this stage. After all, in a couple of months you won't be getting that much rest.;)

Twilah

[KellyDL]

At least you are far enough along now that if something does happen and your ef goes down, the baby will be fine at this point. Try to keep that in mind when you worry. It sounds like you're in good hands.

[miachic]

Try to relax and get some rest. Also, remember there is a 5% error of margin so your EF could actually still be around 55% and it just read it as 50%. My doctor said mine was in the 50-75% range last time I went (yeah, real helpful huh?) so take a breath and try to enjoy these last few days and weeks of having your little girl squirming around in there!

[carriep]

Thanks for your responses:) I'm actually not freaking out about it, just not what I wanted to hear from him. And its nice to talk to people who understand where you are rather than those that can just sympathize with you.
I had a BNP at 26 weeks (a week before the echo) and it was 15. My ob doesn't really have a whole lot of regard for the test during pg, but the cardio isn't concerned bc of that number. I had an echo about a year ago come back at 50 when it was 67 so, I know its all relative. Although I wouldn't be too happy to get such a large reading as 50-75%...he might as well said it was normal:)
Unfortunately I am well familiar with NICUs as I worked for the March of Dimes for 3 1/2 years and fall into the category of knowing too much. 34 weeks isn't the end of the world but the best outcome is 37. Well the best outcome is healthy mommy and baby (ie no heart failure), but thank goodness the means are there to support should she need it.
I have been resting more and I actually feel better. My husband has been home more the past 2 days to help so I can sit and relax and he can deal with the temperment of a 2 1/2 yo.
All will the fine....I think God's holding us in the palm of His hand.
Thanks again....you are a great group of ladies.