First check up at CHOP 25 weeks, 5 days

This morning was my first check up at CHOP.  We drove the "backway" to the hospital and got a cultural experience going through West Philadelphia.  Its amazing how fast neighborhoods change out here. 

At every check up I will do the normal pregnancy check up things, blood pressure, urine sample to check protein/sugars & weight check.  I also have an ultrasound at every appointment.  The ultrasound is checking the ventricles of the baby to carefully monitor for hydrocephalus.  They are also checking for membrane separation and leaking of amniotic fluid into the abdominal cavity which are both indicators of pre-term labor.  Everything on my ultrasound today looks great.  My incision on the uterus is healing nicely but you can definitely see the stitches on the ultrasound.  I had the tegaderm removed from the outside incision which was wonderful.  I do have a blood clot by the uterus which is typically absorbed but they will continue to keep a close eye on it.  The BEST news was that the baby's brain is already starting to reverse from the herniated hindbrain and beginning to show a more "round" shape.   Music to our ears!  On the way home from the hospital I had a slight blonde moment and put the wrong address into my GPS.  My mom and I took the roundabout way home but we got to drive through Valley Forge, its beautiful, and I need to take my hubby back there this fall #historybuff.

I am still on strict bed rest which means I can do a very quick shower and I can walk to the bathroom.  That is the only time I can be on my feet.  I need to be sitting with my feet up or laying down at all times.  I usually am partially reclined attempting to crochet while watching HGTV.  Poor Jeff, I have so many things I need to do our house after staying here in Haverford & watching HGTV.  I will begin my Spanish with Rosetta Stone soon.  I am still quite sore and tire easily so its easy to follow the bed rest rules at the moment.   

We had a fun evening as my Aunt Peggy and cousin Jessie drove over from New York today for a visit.  We sat on our porch and had a wonderful time catching up.

Thank you for reading & have a great weekend!

Joyfully,
Shawna