I just returned from the doctor today and we had our ultrasound done. It wasn't supposed to be until next week, but I developed this weird head to toe rash (cause of which is still unknown), and had to go in early. (BTW, did anyone at our shower last weekend come down with a rash? I'm still trying to determine cause for my rash, if so, please let me know.) Since I was there, the doctor decided to check the placenta and put an end to this discussion of whether or not I would have a c-section.

Unfortunately, the placenta is still in a bad position (placenta previa), between the baby and her exit, so we were left with no choice but to schedule a c-section delivery. I saw my regular doctor today, instead of being rotated through his practice, and he disagreed with the other doctor's assessment that we should deliver at 36 weeks. In his opinion, she would do better, not just for lung maturity, but for eating as well, if we waited until 37 weeks. Since I chose this doctor specifically for his level of expertise in high risk pregnancies like mine, I decided to follow his advice and go with 37 weeks. Furthermore, he has performed over 4500 amnios without a loss, which is an impressive record considering the general risk is much higher than that, about 1 in 250. As a result, I have scheduled an amniocentesis for August 9th to check for lung maturity , and delivery via c-section on August 10th at 9 am. Apparently only 2% of infants fail the lung maturity test at 37 weeks, so the likely result will be to go ahead with the scheduled c-section on the 10th. Dr. Roshan thought I would probably be in the hospital for 3-4 days afterwards. Two bits of good news too: 1) The placenta previa is oriented towards the spine, meaning they do not have to cut through it to deliver the baby and there is less likelihood that I or she will need a blood transfusion during delivery, and 2) scheduled c-sections seem to have a faster recovery rate because you didn't suffer through labor for hours and you have more energy. If it were an emergency c-section I would be looking at 4-5 days in the hospital.

The baby looked well today. He checked her size ( a whopping 6 pounds 2 ounces ALREADY at 34 weeks), her amniotic fluid levels (normal), her heartbeat (normal) and her movement (active as always). Since babies are supposed to gain 1/2 pound per week, we can expect she'll be close to 7 1/2 pounds at birth despite her prematurity. I was only 6 pounds myself when born, but Joel apparently weighed 8 pounds 12 ounces so it's not surprising that she's growing so large so quickly. Maybe she'll be tall like her dad! No wonder I look like I'm carrying a giant playground ball under my shirt.