Hey everyone!

So I promised to update you all today as today is a big milestone in the pregnancy as I have reached 34 weeks gestation. Most babies born at this stage do not need respiratory support and have the same survival rates as full term babies. The doctors actually had me provisionally on the list for induction today as they were so sure the baby would have stopped growing due to reduced space in my abdominal cavity. HE HAS NOT STOPPED GROWING!  This means the pregnancy can continue for  at least another 3 weeks so that he will be classed as full term when I am induced. Although 40 weeks is the normal length of pregnancy, the NHS class 37 weeks as term nowadays. As with all inductions, it may take a few days but it is safe to say that baby Scotto will arrive in the next 4 weeks or so.

So with regards to the abnormality with the ventricle size in his brain, we are so relieved that not only was Monday’s MRI normal, but today on the ultrasound the measurements were below the 10mm threshold above which doctors become concerned. This does not mean the previous measurements were wrong and those taken during the MRI and the scan today are correct  but it is further reassurance that any abnormality that is present is minor.

However, during the scan today they did note that one of the baby’s kidneys  was larger than the other. They initially said one was too large. However, the doctor performing the scan said that the baby does have normal kidney function and the enlargement in the one kidney could be due to a full bladder.

We were then told we would need to come back for more measurements next week with the Fetal Medicine Unit (baby doctors). However, a patient failed to attend their appointment today  so they squeezed me in with a consultant from the Fetal Medicine Unit this morning  who did another thorough scan. She agreed that the ventricles in the brain were within normal range and she said that it is not that one kidney is enlarged but that one is a bit small. It is impossible to say if the smaller kidney is working but it has good arterial blood flow so it looks like it is functioning normally. I myself have one kidney smaller than the other and there is about a 2cm difference. They are not concerned but will scan baby when he is a few days old. Even if the kidney isn’t working at all, no treatment would be given because we can live happily with one kidney.

We are so fortunate to have the scans and today’s care was amazing. However, with so many different measurements and different people scanning, anomalies that are actually nothing to worry about do get detected.

Baby is still big, now weighing 6 pounds, so I questioned whether a C section would be best with my small pelvis. The doctors are confident that it is safe for me to try a vaginal birth first so that is what i will do. We do have a confirmed date of induction and I will blog before this date but we would like to keep the exact date to ourselves and close family. It is likely to be a long process. Louie is looking forward to sleeping in a reclining chair for at least 3 nights!

The Health Visitor has just visited this afternoon and is happy that we are as organised as we can be and that the house and measures we have implemented make it safe for me to care for the baby independently. She spoke about isolation after birth which may be more of an issue for me because I can’t get in a car spontaneously and go places. She has given me contacted details for lots of support groups that Louie and I can attend soon after birth. She also agrees that breastfeeding would be the best option for me to avoid the messing around with bottles when I am in my own.

So now it’s tome for a nap, it has been a worrying few weeks but we can count down the days until we meet our baby. I hardly sleep at night now due to needing the toilet approximately each hour.  Getting up into a wheelchair, transferring to a toilet and then back again isn’t easy on your arms with a big bump. I use my inflatable bath cushion to lift me out of the bath but even with this helpful equipment, Louie does occasionally have to rescue me. It all depends on baby’s position. The one hour each way commute on the train to work  is tough in this heat and my legs are quite spasmy due to not riding or being able to take medication. Oh well, just 2 more weeks of work and then some annual leave before I go on maternity leave. All seems real now!

If anyone would like to guess the name, delivery date, and weight, please comment below.

I must just say a quick happy birthday to my Mummy. Everyone says their Mum is the best but mine really is and she has done so much for us over the last 9 months. She is already the best Grandma to my niece Grace and I can’t waitvfor her to meet our little one. I know they will have the best bond! She is coming up with Dad this weekend to celebrate her birthday with us and to finish the nursery. Excited!

Lots of love. Xxx