This has to be the most chilled out ultrasound I've ever had, and I'm saying that because I was not there for it: I was flying somewhere high above the Atlantic when it happened and was probably watching a Ryan Gosling movie during the event. Best.Ultrasound.Ever.
The baby is measuring on track(ish) (5w6d), with a really high heart rate (139) (!!). The normal range for this time period is supposed to be 80-110, so that is mildly eye-brow raising. The shitty bit with knowing too much is that I know that while slow heart rates are definitely associated with aneuploidies, higher heart rates (as measured a bit later) are associated with Trisomy 21. I am not really stressing out about it, because hey, what would be the point? Plus its not crazy high right now: it would be if it were 190+ a week later. If it just coasts or increases only mildly, then there should be be no cause for worry. If anybody has any crazy high early heart rates producing healthy babies, please, chime in. Yes, we worry every which way, and we can't help it.
Chiming back in with an update on my understanding of heart rate in Trisomy 21 pregnancies: it looks like it may be low in the 6th week,which is seen for most aneuploid pregnancies. However, an elvation at a much later point (past 10 weeks-ish, not sure) has been observed for Trisomy 21 pregnancies.
Based on an explanation I read, this may be the deal: In a healthy pregnancy, the heartrate starts out slow, and keeps increasing till it peaks at 9 weeks at around 180, and then rapidly declines a little. The theory is that this decrease may not occur normally in Trisomy 21 pregnancies, which is why late elevations are associated with this condition. However, I want to reiterate that there are many many women with high fetal heart rates at late points whose babies are absolutely fine: don't want to worry anybody!
Either way, at this point, I have no logical basis for worry on this score.
In between all of this, I am, just for shits, giggles, and my own peace of mind, ordering a blood test (I have the fun task of having to arrange it myself) to rule out that the surrogate is anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody positive. If she is not (and I pray she is not, and she most likely is not) then I have nothing to do here, which is absolutely awesome.
The poor woman is also feeling really wretched; nausea and giddiness, and its so bad that I want her to keep feeling wrecked for a while....but what can you do? We've all heard the story about disappearing symptoms, though I'm sure that it has proven to be nothing in many a case.
I am starting to look at early screening (CVS), while debating the need for this level of screening.
It is so unbelievably scary when you are waiting for a baby to develop, especially when "normal development" has been applicable to everybody other than you. I mean...who has normally developing babies, other than almost everybody who gets to this point? Yet, I cannot even comprehend being that lucky. I don't even want to know when the next ultrasound will be, but I will not be able to stop myself from asking.
Chiming back in with an update on my understanding of heart rate in Trisomy 21 pregnancies: it looks like it may be low in the 6th week,which is seen for most aneuploid pregnancies. However, an elvation at a much later point (past 10 weeks-ish, not sure) has been observed for Trisomy 21 pregnancies.
Based on an explanation I read, this may be the deal: In a healthy pregnancy, the heartrate starts out slow, and keeps increasing till it peaks at 9 weeks at around 180, and then rapidly declines a little. The theory is that this decrease may not occur normally in Trisomy 21 pregnancies, which is why late elevations are associated with this condition. However, I want to reiterate that there are many many women with high fetal heart rates at late points whose babies are absolutely fine: don't want to worry anybody!
Either way, at this point, I have no logical basis for worry on this score.
In between all of this, I am, just for shits, giggles, and my own peace of mind, ordering a blood test (I have the fun task of having to arrange it myself) to rule out that the surrogate is anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody positive. If she is not (and I pray she is not, and she most likely is not) then I have nothing to do here, which is absolutely awesome.
The poor woman is also feeling really wretched; nausea and giddiness, and its so bad that I want her to keep feeling wrecked for a while....but what can you do? We've all heard the story about disappearing symptoms, though I'm sure that it has proven to be nothing in many a case.
I am starting to look at early screening (CVS), while debating the need for this level of screening.
It is so unbelievably scary when you are waiting for a baby to develop, especially when "normal development" has been applicable to everybody other than you. I mean...who has normally developing babies, other than almost everybody who gets to this point? Yet, I cannot even comprehend being that lucky. I don't even want to know when the next ultrasound will be, but I will not be able to stop myself from asking.
exciting news!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on achieving this next milestone!
ReplyDeleteGlad things are going so well! My thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you, the surrogate, and that little one!
ReplyDeleteThinking of you, try to keep positive along with all the worry.
ReplyDeleteAt E's 1st u/s, 8 wks, her h/r was 160 & stayed that way most of my pregnancy...not sure if 160 at 8 wks is high. I was told an old wives tale that a high heart rate indicates a girl...
I can empathize with your fear and worry, Jay. It sounds like you are taking heart (ha!) in this good start, and you should. As my friend Pumpkin reminded me last year: healthy babies start here. And they do, and maybe this is your healthy baby. I sure hope so with all my heart.
ReplyDeleteAnd Adele reminded me years ago too that healthy babies start this way. Early pregnancy is so, so, so hard for those who've had losses. But this could be your happy start, so hold onto hope. And yeah, that ultrasound sounds pretty nice :)
ReplyDeleteIts almost the end of 5 weeks ....so this seems to be a very goood start already. Try to enjoy it....remember...this is your baby you would hold in your hands in a few month down the line. Once born...would you still fret about all his/her milestones this way :) ! Just relax and enjoy the pregnancy.
ReplyDelete