June 10, 2013

On this day, we had a follow up with Cardiologist #2. We were hoping for just a fast appointment, with no questions and a simple once-over. In the beginning, we only discussed the most recent trip to the emergency room. I asked him how bad it really was for the baby when I get shocked. He said most of the electricity flows between my upper chest and upper back, where the paddles go, but that the baby does feel some of the shock effects. He said “We don’t like to go around shocking babies, but if we have to do what’s best for the mom (and essentially the baby), we have to”. Next he took a look at my ankles and listened to my heart. He reminded me that the swelling and shortness of breath can be common both in people with congestive heart failure, and in pregnant women. He then told me it appears like I am showing more signs of the beginnings of heart failure, and suggested I go on another medication to help reduce swelling. More than just causing irritation to my legs (and sometimes making it difficult to walk), the fluid retention can also go up into my lungs and be evident in the veins of my neck, which he indicated he saw. I also told him I had experienced some chest tightening, which he said could be due to the fluid retention as well. While I am not crazy about going on another medication that the baby will “see” crossing the placenta, he told me it’s necessary if symptoms get worse. Right now, everything appears to be fine, but if I start experiencing more difficulty with the symptoms, I will need to take the diuretic.  He also ordered another echocardiogram (the third one in four months) to see if there is any more expanding or thickening of the chamber walls. When we told him the baby is measuring bigger for his age, and we might induce at 38 or 39 weeks, he said that was good because right now we are just “biding time” until I can undergo more testing. I also asked him if the congestive heart failure will go away or if the symptoms will be reduced after pregnancy, to which he said yes. We are definitely starting to feel a sense of urgency to get this little guy out of here! I just want to keep him safe and non-exposed to any more medications and shock treatments…only about two months left to go!

The next day I had to take a 3 hour glucose tolerance test, to which I passed! This means no gestational diabetes! And today (June 13) I had the follow-up echocardiogram, which showed no changes and the doctor described as "stable" when he called me this evening. So the only thing we need to continue to keep an eye on right now is the fluid retention, which can be hard to gauge in the hot summer months ahead! But for now I am thankful for no significant changes!