30 Week Ultrasound

Friday was our latest ultrasound and I came away feeling very encouraged!

1. The fluid on Carina has not increased, so it's remained the same for the past month.
2. The amniotic fluid has increased, as expected. It went from 24 to 27.9 in 2 weeks. They don't talk about draining until you're in the 30's and only then if it's extremely tight and uncomfortable. By tight they mean that you can push on my belly and there's no softness to it...no "give." Dr. Baron also said that at 32 weeks is when the amniotic fluid should peak and stop increasing. So if I don't jump another 5 points in the next 2 weeks, we shouldn't have to drain any fluid.
3. I should hear back for certain on Monday or Tuesday about being able to donate her organs. The good news, so far, on this subject is in regards to the fluid and draining. Because everything is going so slow, and I'm not needing to be drained now, there is a very good chance I can go to my due date! Carina's head is growing normal sized (sometimes with dwarfism and fluid involvement, the head can become too big to deliver naturally and they have to induce early to avoid a C-section.), so as long as that doesn't change, and her heart rate doesn't drop drastically, we should be good to go to June! This also gives her organs the best chance for donation.
4. We were able to see Carina practice breathing! Something we never thought we'd see! This doesn't change her diagnosis or the outcome, but it was so amazing to see her little diaphragm moving up and down! We knew that there is lung tissue, but the issue was, and still is, her chest. We don't know if her chest will be able to expand enough to support any breaths. But the fact that she's practice breathing is very encouraging that we will get to spend some time with her alive after birth!

All in all it was a very good appointment (and the tech was actually NICE this time!). We go back in another 2 weeks to check on the fluid level and we should have more 'definite' answers then. We will find out if I have to be drained, about the organ donation, as well as if we'll make it to June. Please continue to pray about these things!