Baby Girl Update: Ultrasound Dance Party Kicks-Off Second Trimester!

Hello, Second Trimester!

We are at week 13 and just met with the Maternal Fetal Medicine team, which is the high-risk team. I am classified as a high-risk pregnancy for four reasons: my age (35+), because we did IVF, preeclampsia, and my lung condition.

Everything went really well yesterday and Baby Girl is measuring just on time. She’s perfectly healthy and VERY active. She’s full of personality already. I’ll add a quick video (see below) about her ultrasound dance party and sassy moves — it’s too funny what she has done on the last two ultrasounds to just write about!

I’m at high risk for preeclampsia because of my age, we did IVF, and it’s my first pregnancy. Don’t worry! I’m being closely monitored throughout the pregnancy and I was prescribed baby aspirin to help mitigate the chances of that happening.

Throughout pregnancy, on someone who doesn’t have a lung condition, it stresses your heart and lungs. It exacerbates a lung condition like mine – Alpha One Antitrypsin. In the short term, while I am currently short of breath much easier than normal, we are considering supplementing my current inhalers with an additional medication. I actually met with my pulmonologist today to discuss my options. I asked about their plan on how to manage my lung function and ensure I have a healthy pregnancy. They told me what I had already been mentally preparing for: the possibility of being put on oxygen again since our Baby Girl fully depends on me for her oxygen supply. We also discussed the possibility of me being hospitalized towards the end, to keep a closer eye on everything. I have mentally prepared for this, too.

I knew, going into this pregnancy that all of these could be a realistic possibility. I talked to all of my doctors in great detail about all of the possibilities in order to be as prepared as I could possibly be.

As I’m sure you all know, I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without my extremely supportive husband and family. I am so grateful that they are all by my side supporting me through this. I am also grateful for all of you who have followed our journey and offerer prayers, well wishes and support.

Jessica Prince