Fetal Monitoring

For those of you who are a little confused about all my doctor's appointments I guess I should explain!! I have hypothyroidism (under active thyroid) which puts me in the high risk category during pregnancy. If your thyroid levels are too low then it can cause the baby to stop growing and you have a higher risk of your baby dying at the end of your pregnancy. That said, I have an ultrasound every time I go to the doctor during my whole pregnancy so they can measure the baby and make sure his growth is on track. During the last 8 weeks they have me go in twice a week for fetal monitoring. They hook me up to the monitors (like the ones they use in the hospital when you are in labor) and watch the heart beat for about 20 minutes. They look for the heart beat to go up and down so many times to make sure the baby is not under stress. After this, they do an ultrasound to measure the amniotic fluid to make sure it is okay. They also measure the baby once a week to make sure that he doesn't get more than two weeks behind where he should be. I had to do this with Andrea too and everything always worked out okay! I only had one bad monitoring and they just had me come back the next day to do it again. I think that had to do with all the heart issues she's had. It just gets to be a pain to go to the doctor twice a week (especially with two kids that have to go to babysitters).

I had my first appointment yesterday and everything looked okay. Joshua was sleeping so they did have to use the buzzer and wake him up so that his heartbeat would change some! My amniotic fluid has always been good so I don't have to get their drink more water lecture. I did find out during the ultrasound yesterday that Joshua already has hair on the back of his head! I have the picture to prove it (along with a million other pictures from all the ultrasounds)!! On Thursday the doctor is going to measure everything to make sure that his growth is on track. With how active this kid is I am sure that it will all turn out okay!