As the queen of 2nd, and 3rd, and 12th, second opinions...I of course went running to get a second opinion on the baby's possible club feet. Thankfully, this second opinion didn't think that the baby had club feet, but was concerned about the fluid around the baby's heart and the seemingly large size of the baby's heart. So, the new doctor, who was so thorough (we seriously spent 3 hours while she and the tech looked at the baby that first time) and so kind, said that we should come back in a couple of days to see if the fluid had resolved itself. Sometimes, the baby can be fighting a virus (I had just been sick the week before!) and that can cause the fluid....or it can be something else...like hydrops fetalis....or some sort of recessive gene....or a structural defect in the heart. We are waiting for some test results I had done last week to see if I have contracted parvovirus in the past few weeks...which can infect the baby. Or, it could be nothing. I can't believe that we have traded one worrisome diagnosis for another. I went back in for a 2nd ultrasound with the new doctor yesterday and there was still fluid around the heart. Tomorrow I am going to a pediatric cardiologist at a children's hospital to see if he thinks that the heart is structurally sound (I'm guessing leaky valves or weak heart muscles can cause the fluid).
I realize that doctors have to be careful and thorough...but sometimes I wonder if it is too much. Are they finding phantom problems that aren't there?
I will say that I have been sick quite frequently this pregnancy...a lot for a gal that only gets sick (even a cold!) only once every year or two. About every two weeks, I have something that causes me to hole up in bed for a day or three. Which makes me wonder if there is something systemically wrong with this pregnancy that is causing me to feel this way.
I can't get too upset about this. It could be nothing. Don't borrow worry from the future...some sage wisdom I am trying to remind myself.
Otherwise, I am just loving little girl and big brother. They fight and play and light up each other's faces and I can't help but feel that even if we are just our family of four we are so so blessed. I had to drag up some of the chromosomal analysis that my husband and I had done in January 2011 after our 4th failed cycle and can't help but be sad for all that we went through and so thankful for all that we have today.
Thanks so much for all of your support!
