Counting down the days!

So we are a little over 36 weeks and can't believe the time is getting so close for her big arrival! We are still planning for her to come into the world on December 1st! (keyword is planning- I already think she is a little stubborn does things on her own time so we will see!)

We have been having appointments twice a week and will continue until she comes. I go to the regular OB on Monday or Tuesday's and then we head to UVA on Fridays to meet with the fetal medicine doctors. I have to say, I don't know if my regular OB (Phemister) has said anything to UVA but we have seen such a huge change in the staff and doctors at UVA the past 3 times we have been! We haven't had to see the one doctor we were not happy with and have actually been seeing the director of the program and have just been really impressed with him. He is actually the one that is going to be doing the delivery and we are just very excited about that! We have been thankful for the change in everything, whatever may have caused it, especially it being this close to the end, it gives us peace of mind that we are in good hands!

So I had mentioned in my last post that the doctors were concerned about the weight of the baby and then the blood flow from the placenta so that is the main reason we are being seen twice a week. We have had very good and consistent ultrasounds and have been very glad that things look good each time we go! I did have to go over to the Labor and Delivery unit on Monday because after my BPP test with Phemister, he just wanted to have a little extra testing done so he sent me there. He said they only saw 2 movements from Caroline on the BPP and they needed 3 so he said he was being overly cautious but wanted to send me over there anyways. I didn't mind going because I know it is all for Caroline and I definitely want to know things are going well. We met another doctor there, who we really liked, and he reassured us that the tests and everything looked "perfect!" All of this monitoring has put me on high alert that things could change any day but lately I have been feeling good about everything and am happy that we are getting the extra monitoring to keep her growing and healthy!

We had the chance to tour the NICU today at UVA and honestly, I don't think I was emotionally ready for that. I knew it was on the agenda today but I had no idea how hard it would be until we actually got there. I am very thankful that we had the opportunity to see it and meet with the director and some of the staff there and I know, without a doubt, that Caroline will have absolutely wonderful care there but it was still hard to see. It just made everything seem so real. Everything was mentioned about the Spina Bifida and how every part of it would be addressed and handled. The neurosurgeon will be the first to see her to assess her back and she will have the surgery the day after she is born. She may possibly also have the shunt surgery at the same time, depending on the fluid on the brain when she is born. After she is in recovery from the back surgery, she will see the urologist to assess bowels and bladder and possibly start catherization if needed, then she will see an orthopedic doctor to asses any issues with clubbed feet and movement of the legs. We will also have a social and case worker assigned to us with help with housing for us during that time and insurance things. It is all just very overwhelming and it is really hard for me to know that she has to go through all of this. I know everyone will do a great job and we have a great team working with her but it is going to be hard to see her hooked up to all those wires and having to recovery from surgery so soon after she is born.  I am glad we got to see everything today and know that everything is getting so close and so real and have been feeling a little emotional about it all. I just hope and pray that everything goes as smoothly as possible and that she will be a fighter!

We thank everyone for the love and support and know we couldn't go through all of this without you! The support we have going into these next few weeks means so much and I know many people are excited for her arrival! We will keep everyone updated as the big day gets close!!