Flashback: The second ultrasound

This is a continuation in a series of what happened in my pregnancy with Lilly.

My follow-up ultrasound was March 18, 2010. We found out that our baby was a girl. We had a name all ready: "Lillian Eva." (Lillian after my great-grandmother and Eva after my husband's grandmother.) So Lillian Eva was the plan though I reserved the right to change it after birth if she didn't end up looking like a Lillian Eva.

That was the good news. The rest of the news was a mix of good and unsettling.

The doctor saw Lilly's stomach this time, so that meant no blockages. She still had cysts on her brain, though they weren't supposed to effect her. A part of her brain was wider than normal. That could mean a chromosomal problem. Lilly was still keeping her hands clenched and her forefingers hooked over the other fingers, so Trisomy 18 was still suspected. (You can see this in the top ultrasound picture.)

There was a problem with Lilly's heart. The doctor wasn't sure exactly what the problem was so we were referred to a pediatric heart specialist. Yet the heartbeat itself was strong and steady.

Finally, they questioned if my due date was accurate. (My midwife had already pondered that one but decided it was correct.) The baby was so tiny. 8th percentile. (Strange for me to think about because both my other babies were over 8 lbs. at birth.)

Like at the first ultrasound, Lilly was extremely active. The tech even laughed at one point when Lilly started playing with the umbilical cord. That made me feel better.

Still, when we left I felt like I needed a good cry. (I honestly don't remember if I did - I have always had a hard time crying.) Prayers increased.