As I left off last week, I said I would update after my doctor appointments this week.

I had my 3 doctor appointments yesterday. My first one was an ultra sound to measure how he is doing. The doctor told me he was measuring quite a bit smaller then he should be for how far along I am. He is in the 7th percentile. He weighs 5.1 pounds. He should be weighing around 5.5 pounds by delivery. I'm hoping he puts on a pound or so which could still happen. They spent a lot of time measuring the right lung and making calculations of how big it is. The doctor showed me where the lung should be and where everything should be placed if he didn't have this hole with everything shifting places. His heart is located on the right side which is not giving the lungs room to develop correctly. His left lung is still just a sliver and can't really see it. His right lung is still very small. I am praying for him to be able to take his first breath without the machines. 

After my ultra sound I then met with the cardiologist to measure and get pictures of his heart. They were making sure there was not a big change since the last time they measured and checked everything. One thing they were concerned about was his aorta. They wanted to make sure its open enough to get the baby blood flow to the brain and rest of the body. The cardiologist said it looks open enough so she didn't think he would be needing that surgery right after birth.  He has two heart defects that they will be performing surgery on after his CDH surgery.  She explained to me that we wouldn't know if he needed the ecmo machine until after birth. That machine would be working for his heart and lungs so he didn't have to do it by himself. I pray everyday that he will not be needing this machine and he is strong enough to do it by himself! They will connect a ventilator to help him breath right after birth. 

I got a tour of the CICU and the NICU where he will be going directly after birth. She showed me the machines he will be going on as far as which ones she knew he would be needing. They will go further into that with me when it's time. I got to see where he will be living and meet some of the staff. I did get great news that I will be able to be by his side 24 hours and I will be able to touch him. I was very concerned about not being able to touch him, since I know I can't hold him for awhile. She told me I was able to and that made me very happy. I am not sure if I get to see him right after delivery due to his conditions and me having a c section but, my parents will get to be by his side directly after birth until I am able to see him. I will be getting a tour this week of where I will be delivering him. It's a newer unit of the hospital so it wasn't open for the public to view yet. They told us that it is very nice so I am excited to see.

I then went to have my NST testing that I have twice a week. He did very well with that so I was able to leave. 

I had a great time with my mom while she was here. Made the days go by so much quicker. Today has been a very hard day on me seeing her leave. She was able to spend 5 days with me. Now back to keeping myself busy and my mind on other things while I wait for his arrival. My dad will be here the end of next week until after the baby is born. My mom will also be back before delivery.  I've found keeping myself busy makes the days go by so much quicker. Sometimes it's very hard to find things to do to keep me busy so I keep my mind off the waiting.

I want to thank everyone for all the support you have given me. The hope and prayers keep me going!! I truly am blessed to have such great and caring people in my life. As I will continue to take things day by day as this journey has only begun, but I have so much hope for my baby boy. I know he is a fighter and is going to be so strong and make it through all of this so one day he can tell everyone his story.  Please keep my baby in your prayers!!

Thanks again!!

Jillian