When I arrived, I was weighed by a nurse and my blood pressure was taken before it was time to listen to our baby’s heartbeat. Apparently our little one’s heartbeat was lower than normal (averaging 115 – 120 bpm). Another nurse came in to listen to the heartbeat and then the doctor came in after that to listen and told me they wanted to hook me up to a monitor for a while just to see how everything was going.
I was told to hit a button every time I felt our baby move while relaxing in a recliner. I flipped on the TV in the private room to try to distract myself, but my mind was all over the place and I ended up texting back and forth with Ryan, my mom and sister the whole time to keep them up to speed. About 15 minutes into this, a nurse came in and told me they wanted to observe me for a little while longer, so I stayed in the chair and prayed for everything to be okay.
I was then escorted into a private waiting room until my doctor was able to meet with me again. She said that the baby’s heart rate was low (120-ish), but all the movement I felt while I was being monitored made her think our baby was likely just relaxing and perfectly fine in my belly. We started to continue on with my routine appointment and when my doctor measured my belly, she said I am measuring small. My measurements didn’t show any belly growth since 32 weeks when I was already measuring a week behind. My doctor then said she wanted me to have an ultrasound to get a better feel for how our baby is growing and developing.
More praying and texting with my family occurred, but all of the rolls and kicks I felt from our little guy while I sat in the waiting room eased my mind a little bit and I just tried to focus on his active movements.
Eventually I made my way into the ultrasound room where I was prepped and the ultrasound technician squirted the warm gel on my belly. Our baby immediately flashed on the screen and I swear I could’ve stared at that fuzzy black and while screen for hours. Our baby!
The ultrasound technician measured his head and abdomen and immediately eased my mind by saying he looked great! She estimated that our baby weighs right around 4.75 pounds (the 30th percentile for weight at this point) and though he’s a little on the small side, his measurements look perfectly healthy! (His heartbeat also seemed to come back up into the 140s, which was a relief as well.) My belly is measuring small, but my doctor thinks this could be, in large part, due to my super long torso. He just has more room to spread out!
I also got to learn exactly how our baby is positioned. He’s head down and facing my back, so his little booty is right above my belly button. The ultrasound technician also flipped back and forth to the 3D imaging which was absolutely unreal.
I saw our baby’s face and he looks so adorable!
(In the below pic half of his face is covered but I tried to make it easy to see his eyes, nose and mouth.)
Check out his pouty lips!!!
I love this little dude so much already. He’s definitely keeping me on my toes already but I am so grateful everything looked healthy in the end. This afternoon’s appointment gave me a healthy dose of perspective. I’ve been increasingly frustrated with my lack of mobility and the intense sacroiliac pain I’m experiencing, but I would deal with all of it 10,000 times over if it means our baby is safe and healthy.
Breakfast + Lunch
Backing up a bit…
Breakfast this morning included a strawberry banana smoothie.
I blended up a cup of strawberry Greek yogurt, frozen strawberries, a frozen banana, a couple of handfuls of fresh spinach, a spoonful of almond butter and coconut milk. It was sweet and filling!
After breakfast, I worked through the morning before inhaling a snack (half of a pb&j + some grapes) and heading to my prenatal appointment. After my doctor’s appointment, I grabbed a late lunch from the Whole Foods salad bar to eat while typing up this blog post.
And now it’s time for me to head to my physical therapy appointment. I am really hoping to learn some stretches and exercises that might be able to alleviate some of this pain!
Hope you guys are having a good Tuesday so far!
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I can’t imagine what that must have been like! I’ll send good thoughts & prayers for you and your boy.
Best wishes for you and your baby boy! I’m glad the appointment ended on a happy- healthy note. 🙂
I’m so so glad everything is good with your little guy! I love that image of him! It’s crazy how far technology has come!
I’m glad it all turned out okay!!
Hi Julie! I’ve been following your pregnancy updates pretty religiously as I’m currently 17 weeks pregnant with my first baby, and have loved seeing what I have in store for me in the weeks ahead. I’ve been reading your blog for years and I’ve noticed since you’ve been pregnant (and maybe before) you seemed to have started making your smoothies with greek yogurt instead of protein powder. Are you not consuming protein powder while your pregnant? I’ve had it a few times here and there, but have tried to limit my consumption. I’m just wondering if you had a reason for your decrease. Thanks and good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!! 🙂
Hi Kati! I will still use it from time to time but in general I’m preferring Greek yogurt right now. 🙂 It’s creamier and I feel better about it since I know all the ingredients in it! 🙂
So sorry to read about the sciatic nerve pain! I had that with both of my pregnancies. It’s great that you’re seeing a physical therapist for the pain! Have you considered seeing a chiropractor for the pain as well? There are chiropractors that specialize in pregnant mamas! Mine was a life saver, I couldn’t have lived without her during pregnancy!
How nerve wracking!! So grateful Baby is okay – praying for you guys all the time and sending positive vibes your way. 🙂
When I was pregnant, around 34 weeks I had a similar appointment. I was told “baby is measuring small and the abdomen is particularly small. We need to keep an eye on it in case we need to induce early so he or she can grow more properly on the outside.” I also measured small because, like you, I have a really long torso (and barely had a bump until 30 something weeks). Long story short, my daughter was born at 41(!) weeks, perfectly healthy. Her small abdomen? She’s skinny, just like her daddy and uncle. She was only 6lbs 11oz, and is still around the 30th percentile for weight, but she’s 4 and a half and unbelievably healthy. I can’t promise everything will be okay, but I suspect that it will all turn out similarly and you’ll end up with a small but perfectly healthy little dude. You can do this!
So glad you are both doing well!! I had a similar experience with my little guy, so I can definitely understand the fear and nerves. But those pictures are adorable! Take care of yourself and enjoy a little R&R today.
I’m glad everything is okay!! I know how stressful those appointments can be but, you’re right, his movements always ease the heart. Thinking about you guys!
Glad to hear all is ok! I’m 2 weeks behind you and have had a similar experience but since 21 weeks my baby was measuring on the small side (24th percentile). They kind of freaked us out and I have been going for ultrasounds about every 3 weeks since. Luckily, the baby has grown what it is expected to grow over each time period however I’m still measuring a bit behind and baby is still on the small side. They said it’s all ok since baby has shown consistent growth and the 24th percentile may be normal for me as my husband and I are on the smaller side. But I know how stressful and scary it is. Again, glad all is well!
I’m glad all is okay with your little one, too!
Definitely scary, but I’m glad to hear that everything is ok. I was measuring small for several weeks too, but the doc said a lot of times it’s related to mom’s body shape and baby’s position. Sounds like they were on top of things though, and if nothing else, at least it was nice to get another look at that sweet little face! I hope you last few weeks go well!!
I’m so sorry! Glad to hear everything is ok. What terrible stress Sending positive vibes your way!
Wow, you are having quite an eventful day! So glad everything checked out ok. Pregnancy can definitely be nerve racking at times, no doubt about it. But you have been doing all the right things and I’m sure you and baby will do just fine! I’ll bet you will also soon be getting some relief with your back issues, physical therapists can do wonders. Will keep you in my prayers, Julie! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us.
Oh wow! I feel so bad, I’m sure you were very anxious and feeling stressed. I’m glad everything turned out well, and that your baby is doing and growing well!
hugs to you! I had growth scans throughout my pregnancy and the last few weeks of my pregnancy I had to do what you did. My little man also measured small and had a small abdomen. He was five pounds when he was born at 37 weeks but got perfect scores on his APGAR test.
He is still a little small thing and ten months but he is strong and feisty! Just keep praying and keep taking care of yourself and realize he is the most important thing.
Glad you are both okay!
I’m so sorry you had to go through such a scare, especially since you were alone. I’m glad everything is looking okay. Fingers crossed your physical therapy helps and the rest of the pregnancy goes by without any complications.
Thankful all is well! prenatal visits can be so exciting and stressful. I always rested better once I heard that lovely heart beat! We never had a 3d of Jada–love that you have a “picture” of your little guy already!
So happy everything is okay!! I was holding my breath the entire post through!! Praying for you and your little guy 🙂
So glad everything is good with the little one!
If I ever have kids I know I will be an absolute nervous wreck the entire 9 months! I’m so happy everything turned out alright today for you! Good luck with the PT session–I hope they find you some relief!
Thank goodness everything is OK. I’m sure you must of been full of different emotions sitting in the chair – I know I would be! Your baby is so handsome. I get my 34 week ultrasound in a month and can’t wait to see him. It must be a completely different perspective from the initial 20 week scan, as the baby is much larger! 🙂 Prayers for you and your precious little boy.
So glad everything turned out okay 🙂 Sending good thoughts your way!
I had my baby at 33 weeks 1/2 and his weight was 4.5 pounds (he is 1 year old now) and I am kind of surprised the doctor is saying that this is light weight, since I know my baby was above average for his gestational time… (btw ultrasound is not 100% accurate with weight). Anyway, you shouldn’t pay to much attention to those percentages as they tend to changes fast.
Also, my belly was small from the beginning and stayed small, I’m pretty average weight and height, and my doctor didn’t say anything about my belly circumference : he actually never measured it (my situation was a little complicated so perhaps this is why). However, all that to say that every doctor have a different approach and thinking about everything. My sister and I were pregnant at the same time, two boys and it was both our first child and our doctors were not telling us the same things! I wish you all the best for the remaining of your pregnancy! 🙂
What a scare! I’m glad everything is okay. When I was pregnant with my son, I measured small too. Again because of a long torso. It used to make me so upset when I would tell people how far along I was and they would reply “your not big at all!” I also had to have weekly NSTs and although it is nerve racking I always tried to think of it as extra quiet time between him and I. I will keep you in my prayers and my last piece of advice is if you feel anything is not normal just call or show up. Its always better to be checked out and have that piece of mind!
That must have been a scary experience, but I’m so glad everything checked out okay! 🙁
I’m so glad everything turned out okay! I would have been freaking out!!! Prayers work wonders on the nerves 🙂
I’m sorry you had to go through that, but I’m glad everything is OK! My OB is sending me to a hematologist based on some “abnormal” blood results I got back last week. It has freaked me out a bit, but I’m trying to remind myself that stress isn’t helpful during pregnancy and *usually* the things you worry about tend to be just fine. I think that’s a good thing to remember — pregnant or not!
I had a very similar experience around the same time in my pregnancy. Thankfully everything was fine, and I was glad to get an extra ultrasound. Glad every th ing was okay with your little one!!
glad to hear everything ended up being fine! my baby william was a little guy too – still healthy though! 🙂
Oh gosh, how nerve wracking! I’m so glad to hear your little man is a-okay! What a treat to be able to see him again though, eh? Best of luck at your PT appointment!
Glad it all turned out OK! The 3D ultrasounds are so awesome!!! Your little man looks like such a cutie already! 🙂
so glad to hear that, after all of that, everything is okay!
I have a long torso and with my first, I ended up having an ultrasound at 36 weeks because I was measuring small and the doctor was quite concerned the baby wasn’t growing. For the last few appointments from about 32 weeks on, I measured small and they were worried he would be quite small. My son was born right on time and weight 9.5 lbs!!! I think if you have a long torso, the baby just has a lot more room to spread out. Now he is 14 and 6’2″ …..
Glad to hear everything is okay with the little guy. A good friend of mine was an athlete in high school and had very tight abs. When she was pregnant with her first baby (mama to four now) she was small in the front. At nine months she looked more like she was four. Baby was a little peanut (mama is 5’1″), but very healthy.
I’m so glad everything is good! I have a very long torso and measured small my whole pregnancy. They ended up wanting to induce me, since I was small but little man came at just shy of 39 weeks on his own and was 8lbs. Ha! Just telling you that story as the weight predictions can vary so much (they told me he would likely be under 5lbs).
Hoping for a smooth rest of your pregnancy! You’re basically in the home stretch 🙂
I am so sorry you had a stressful appointment, I’ll pray for you and your baby boy!!
I’m stressing out reading this! So happy it all seems to have turned out fine. I have never been pregnant, but treat my sister’s 2 kids as though they are my own. Both were born very prematurely, but you’d never know it now. Modern medicine is amazing. Sending good thoughts & positive vibes your way. Baby PBF will be just fine. xoxox
What an emotional appt! I had quite a few of the low heartbeat scares in all 3 of my pregnancies. I just had chill babies;-) my dr also thought it also might be in part to how active I was throughout each pregnancy. I also have a long torso and typically started measuring a week or two behind around 34-36 weeks. All 3 kids were perfect! Happy everything checked out ok for you and you got the bonus of seeing your little guy again:-)
Maybe he was tired? Just wanted a rest? Babies are resilient and I would rather have a smaller baby than a larger one — you are pretty tiny s in the end it may hurt less 🙂 ????
I think he looks like his sister Sadie.
Sending you love and prayers … (hugs) janet
I’m so happy everything is okay! Lots of prayers sent your way for continued good health for you and your baby. I also have a reallllllllllly long torso, so I like the idea of that being the reason for the belly circumference. Buying one piece swimsuits, or bodysuits, or dresses can be hard for us long-torso’d peeps!
Praying for you and the beeb!!!
Julie – I’ve followed your blog for a few years now. My thoughts and prayers are with you as I know how stressful this can be. I have two daughters – now 13 and 14. I also have a long torso and measured a week or two behind throughout both pregnancies. Both of my girls are healthy young women. In fact, my daughter that measured the furthest behind – has always been the tallest in her class!
So glad you had two healthy girls! Thank you for sharing a little bit about your experience with me. Definitely helps to hear from someone who has been there!
What a relief that everything turned out just fine! With two of my three pregnancies I had some scares(one more serious than the other) but you are right, as bad as some pregnancy symptoms can be its all worth it if it means keeping baby safe and sound!
Prayers for a continued healthy pregnancy. I measured small too in my 3rd trimester, and we determined she was just sitting really low in my pelvis :). She was only 7lbs when she was born and healthy as can be. I had high amniotic fluids the last 5 weeks and had to be monitored twice a week with stress tests & was induced at 39 weeks because of it. Sounds like you have a great OB, just like I did. They really put my mind at ease, I knew we were well taken care of. Hang in there, momma.
Julie I’m so happy everything with you and that little guy are OK! I have 4mo old twins and had more of those stress tests than I can count! It is definitely reassuring! You are in my thoughts and I know you will deliver a healthy baby boy!
I’m so glad everything is ok with the little one! That must have been scary!! My mom said when she was pregnant with my younger brother the doctor was also concerned because his heart rate was low all the time but it turned out that my mom always had her appointment around the same time which seemed to be my brother’s nap time. 😀 I hope physical therapy helps with the pain!!!!
Oh Julie- I am so sorry you were in for an unexpected appointment, but I am relieved to hear everything is okay now. My prayers are with you, and I will continue to keep you in mind for the rest of your pregnancy.
Julie, I am so glad everything is okay! You and your baby boy are in my prayers. That must have been so cool to see his face during the ultrasound! Those pictures are great. I hope your physical therapy appointment went well tonight and the pain goes away very soon! <3