Monday, January 4, 2010

I don't get it....

I had my 34 week appointment today, which included a nonstress test (NST) and a growth scan. The NST was fine- I heard his heartbeat for 20 minutes straight, and I wasn't having any contractions. However, they had the back of the exam table propped way up to a sitting position, which was really uncomfortable, especially with my legs straight out in front of me. My back was KILLING me.

The ultrasound is what really threw me for a loop. My last growth scan was at 30w5d. Just about 4 weeks ago. At that time, they estimated Marius at 4lbs 3oz and said he was in the 70th percentile. His measurements were about 2 weeks ahead. Today (34w3d), his head was measuring 36 weeks, his femur was measuring 35w5d. The ultrasound tech found his feet and measured them for fun, and his foot was 6.94 centimeters long (roughly 2.75 inches). So she said his weight was... 5lbs 1oz and he was in the 34th percentile?!?!?!? What the hell? He only gained 10 oz in 4 weeks? And how do you go from the 70th percentile to the 34th?! She was like "the 50th percentile is average." But didn't say shit else. Didn't have me talk to the doctor. I'm really NOT liking this practice AT ALL. I feel so out of the loop. I feel like I'm being pushed through some sort of assembly line by a bunch of robots. Ugggh!

3 comments:

Lindsey said...

Sounds like their techs don't know what they are talking about. Maybe there was a measurement that threw off the weight and percentile? I know that Esther's head was measuring massive that put her size off the charts. The head was (and always is) hard to measure on her since she is tucked up in a weird position (next to the placenta and WAY low). When they tweaked the head size they were able to get a more accurate overall size (percentile). I am thinking? That's what I gathered when they were trying to explain this all to me.
And I was basically just talking out of my butt right there and repeating what I have been told, because crap, I am pretty lost when it comes to the percentile stuff. They said Esther was in the 75th percentile? I am going to go figure out what all this means:) I am interested now.
I don't understand how Marius can go from 70th to 34th in a matter of 4 weeks. Very interesting.

Abigail said...

I hope I can calm your nerves a bit... He may have gone through a growth spurt a little early, hence when he was measuring ahead of schedule. But now that you're 34 1/2 weeks, from now until you deliver he'll roughly put on 1/2 to 3/4 a pound per week. Remember also, the growth sonos are just estimations. With my first child they estimated him at 7lbs 4oz and he ended up being almost 2 pounds larger!!! Just don't let the growth stuff get to you.

I understand your frustrations! Most OB offices are slammed and instead of practicing good customer service, they feed patients through just like an assembly line. Just think, it's gunna get worse in doctor's offices before it gets better if Obama becomes everyone's doctor. (No offense if you are a supporter. I just don't think his healthcare plan is worth anything.)

Hang in there. You're doing great!!!

Amber said...

Thanks guys! :)

I think the only thing I fear is I would prefer a vaginal birth, but don't want them to be like, "Oh, well, you've been pushing for 3 hours and he's just too big, and his heart rate is dropping, so we gotta get you to the O.R. NOW." Y'know? It just seems weird to go from one extreme to the other. Perhaps it was just a big growth spurt early. I mean, shoot, if he really is 5lbs now, I'm ok with that, because in the end, I'd rather push out a 7lb baby than a 10 pounder!

Hopefully after he's born I can find another OBGYN that I like. I was kind of out of options this time, since this is the 2nd practice I went to and had to switch on really short notice to get the NT scan in. And then when you only have monthly appointments, it's hard to get a feel for things. Now that I've seen them more often, I'm like, "Meh. Not a fan." lol