Getting bigger!

Well, I'm definitely getting bigger!  Our last ultrasound measured the baby to be just over a pound! 

Recently we had another appointment.  Since my pregnancy is high risk, the doctors will be monitoring the baby with ultrasound more regularly.  Some of what they are looking at is the baby's skull and brain to make sure the ventricles stay open and measure as normal.  In many cases of spina bifida, hydrocephalus occurs.  The opening on the spine causes traction, which pulls the brain back.  When the brain is pulled back, it closes some of the ventricles in the skull. This then causes swelling.  To counteract this problem, they put in a shunt.  A shunt involves a small tube that prevents the brain from swelling. 

They also gave us a dvd of the ultrasound at this appointment.  We love watching all 7 minutes and 29 seconds every chance we get!  It's such a joy everytime we get to see our little peanut!

Our next appointment is on February 4th.  This is a very important appointment because we will be meeting with a panel of doctors and nurses.  The panel will include the baby's neurosurgeon, my OB-GYN, a geneticist, several nurses, and others.  They will do another ultrasound so that the assembled panel of doctors can better see the spinal opening.  Naturally, we have many questions that we are hoping to get answered. We would appreciate your prayers for the upcoming appointment.

Thank you to everyone who has been lifting our little baby up in prayer!  We feel very blessed.  We continue to pray for God to heal and that He would be glorified through this!

Kim