We went for our weekly visit to the perinatologist today so I thought I'd update. (There really wasn't much to say last week so that's why I didn't post anything.)
Today they measured Baby 4. We are now a whopping 4 lbs. 5 oz. The doctor seemed pleased with this growth. (Almost a pound since they measured two weeks ago when we were 3 lbs. 9 oz.) However, we are still on the tiny side for a normal 35 weeker. So that means the same rules of kick counts and not doing anything continue. In addition to that they have decided we will have the baby at 37 weeks.
The way the doctor explained it is that right now it appears that Baby 4 is just tiny with no other issues. However, there really is no way to know this until baby arrives. So she felt it would be best to let the baby get "full term", but not wait any longer so as not to risk any further complications. I guess that all makes sense. I'm really just going with the flow since I'm not in the baby doctor business.
I'm torn on how I feel about this because I really wanted to go into labor naturally this time. I'm also ready to meet this baby, and I feel like a lot of my emotional stress will be gone once Baby 4 is actually in my arms. I think this 37 week time frame gives us good odds for no NICU time (unless something is wrong, which I do not suspect). I know that Baby 4 will be tinier than "average" so my hope is really just to get and stay over the 5 lb. mark, which I think we can easily do.
My nerves have calmed down since my last update. I think it helps that we see one doctor or the other twice a week. That's a lot of hearing the baby and seeing the baby so it's very reassuring. My OB is also the most amazing person ever. I was nervous at the beginning of the pregnancy about having a new doctor than my past pregnancies, but this has clearly been a "God thing".
So all that to say... we have an induction date. I'm only 1 cm. dilated right now so I suspect we'll move forward on the induction date and not sooner. My next update should be that Baby 4 has arrived!
Thank you all for your prayers for Baby 4 and our family. They have been felt, and I know that is why we continue to receive such wonderful news at each doctor's visit. I'm beyond grateful for each and every one of you who has taken the time to read this and care about our sweet growing family!
