36w7d better measurements

Last time the measurements were small and they didn't give me a print out of them.

31w7d everything was fine: 

• BPD was 8.01 cm (32w2d).
• AC was 28.03 cm (32w3d).
• FL was 6.52 (33w5d).
• FHR was 142 bpm.
• EFW was 2052 gr.

At 34w7d the head was small: 

• BPD was 33 weeks.
• AC was 34 weeks.
• FL was 35w6d. 
• EFW was 2400 gr.

This meant that in 3 weeks, the head had only grown about 6d, the abdomen 1w6d, and the leg 2w2d.

Now at 36w7d the measurements are a bit better:

• BPD is 8.77 cm (35w4d).
• AC is 31.39 cm (35w3d).
• FL is 7.14 cm (36w4d). 
• EFW is 2776 gr.

The head is 1w3d behind, the abdomen is 1w4d behind, and the FL is 3d behind. However, the head has grown 2w4d, the abdomen has grown 1w3d, and the leg has grown 5d. I'm glad that head has grown what it should have grown, which is 2 weeks.

This appointment
I had called nurse Mary to ask about my blood and urine results, because they hadn't texted me so that meant bad news. She said all my numbers were a bit off. My cholesterol was a bit high. I had a bit of protein in my urine. My sodium was a bit low (I'm really not sure how. I thought it would be high). I'm also a bit anemic (despite taking iron pills). But they were only one or two points off and didn't seem to worry, so that was good. Today they gave me my results and the only thing they mentioned was that I was a bit anemic. So I'm in the clear.

They did a NST (non-stress test) and that was normal. They said I had one minor contraction and the baby was moving fine. I've been feeling lots of Braxton Hicks this time around. I didn't have any with my daughter.

Surprisingly, they told me to come back in 2 weeks. Usually after 36 weeks you have weekly visits. But I'm not complaining. As long as the baby is moving, everything should be ok. No need for me to go more often.

Money

• Today I paid 195,830 
• Doctor's visit: 32,260. 
• Ultrasound 100,000. 
• NST 63,570.
• Tricare (my insurance) paid 195,830. Out of pocket was 0.

More info
For more info, you can see how much this has cost, I also have a summary of dates, as well as my Rx protocol.

34w7d measuring small

I know that at this point ultrasound measurements can be off by as much as 4 weeks. However, the baby has pretty much always measured exact for dates or a bit ahead. And if the baby was behind, it was just by a little bit. Today the measurements were far behind. Usually they print off the paper with the measurements, but this time they just told me. They didn't mention the days, just the weeks. I tried to look at the screen, but the only days I could make out were for the FL. The BPD and AC ran off the screen. I was also told to get some final tests done, so they did blood and urine tests and will do the NST (non-stress test) next time.

31w7d everything was fine: 

• BPD was 8.01 cm (32w2d).
• AC was 28.03 cm (32w3d).
• FL was 6.52 (33w5d).
• FHR was 142 bpm.
• EFW was 2052 gr.

At 34w7d the head is now small: 

• BPD is 33 weeks.
• AC is 34 weeks.
• FL is 35w6d. 
• EFW is 2400 gr.

This means that in 3 weeks, the head has only grown about 6d, the abdomen 1w6d, and the leg 2w2d. The small head is worrying. I know that I have a small head, but for it to be normal last time and only have grown 6 days worth in 21 days is kind of scary. Googling doesn't help either. I'm just hoping the next ultrasound will be ok.

Money

• Today I paid 409,080.
• Doctor's visit: 32,266. 
• Blood and Urine tests: 276,814. 
• Ultrasound 100,000. 
• Tricare (my insurance) paid 409,080. Out of pocket was 0.

More info
For more info, you can see how much this has cost, I also have a summary of dates, as well as my Rx protocol.

20w7d leaking clear fluids

It happened a couple times before while I was sleeping. I felt fluid leaking. Of course, if you google it you are told that it's either amniotic fluid or urine. It didn't seem like I was peeing myself and I thought it was weird that it was only happening when I was lying down. But since this was the third time it happened, I decided to go to the ER at Osan AFB.

It was early in the morning and I got seen right away. They did an ultrasound then made me drink a ton of water and did another ultrasound. I've had numerous ultrasounds in Korea and was never told to drink water. It makes me think that Korean ultrasound technicians are a lot more experienced than American ones. After they did the ultrasound and ran some tests they told me that it was neither amniotic fluid nor urine, but a yeast infection. And while you'd think that I would know what a yeast infection was, this was the furthest I'd been pregnant since my daughter and I figured all the extra discharge was normal plus I'd had it since the beginning. Now I know that the high doses of oral steroids (prednisolone) probably killed off the good bacteria and caused a yeast infection.

At least there's an easy fix and it just goes to show you that fluid isn't always amniotic fluid or urine.

Total cost of this visit was 0. For more info, you can see how much this has cost, I also have a summary of dates, as well as my Rx protocol.

6w2d heartbeat and IVIG #2

They heard and saw a strong heartbeat at 121 bpm which is right smack-dab where it should be. CRL is .41 cm (6w2d). Went for another round of IVIG, only 6 volumes this time which is down from 10 at 3w2d. The IVIG is a 5% solution of 300 ml, which is 15 gr of IVIG.

They also wanted to do more testing to make sure I didn't have any STDs or childhood diseases like MMR. I told them I had been vaccinated. They said unless it was in the last six months I had to get tested. I did opt out of the cervical cancer screening since I just had that done. I won't be doing more tests that I don't want to. I know they'll come back negative and it's just a waste of time and money.

I found this PDF about Normal Ranges ranges of Embryonic Length, Embryonic Heart Rate, Gestational Sac Diameter and Yolk Sac Diameter at 6–10 Weeks as well as this growth chart.

Money

• Today I paid 669,280.
• Doctor's visit: 37,700. 
• IVIG #2: 289,142. 
• Blood test 273,338. 
• Urine test 6,100. 
• Ultrasound 60,000.  
• Tricare (my insurance) reimbursed me for 256,104. 
• Out of pocket was 413,176.
  

More info
For more info, you can see how much this has cost, I also have a summary of dates, as well as my Rx protocol.