28 week appointment - the good news with the not so good news

We are officially in the 3rd trimester!  Today we had our 28 week appointment.  For me, that meant the first time I could combine a regular office visit with our specialty care visits, which has helped with my schedule tremendously!  Lucy continues to be on track from a physical development perspective, weighing in around 2 lbs, 9 oz.

We got some great news at the beginning of the appointment - Lucy's ventricle and head size have stabilized - her ventricle measurements were similar to last appointment at 24 mm and her head continues to be about 2 weeks ahead of growth charts, which again, is the same as last appointment.

Unfortunately, the good news ended there and we found out that I have polyhydramnios, which means I have too much amniotic fluid, causing my uterus to be larger than normal.  Polyhydramnios can be caused by a variety of different things, some of the most common being gestational diabetes (negative in my case), unknown reasons, or most likely in our case a congenital defect, intestinal tract blockage or neurological abnormalities.  In our case, the doctor thought it was likely that Lucy has a neurological abnormality that has caused her to be unable to swallow the amniotic fluid properly and resulting in the excess being built up around her. 

While disappointing, this diagnosis is not completely a surprise for a baby with hydro, as we already know that her neurological development is hindered. 

This was a difficult message for us to hear; as parents, we never want our children to be unhappy, face hardships or be in pain.  However, we were reminded today that this is one of many complications that little Lucy will face from a health perspective. 

Treatment for polyhydramnios depends on how severe it is and how rapidly it progresses.  Our current course of action is to wait and see for two weeks, when my fluid levels will be checked again.  We are uncertain what (if any) impact this will have on Lucy's future development and long-term prognosis.

Your prayers are coveted as we continue to seek strength and peace throughout this time.