Sheppard Family News

We went to the Doctor on Wednesday for our 32 week ultrasound. It is always incredible to see our little girl moving around as we watch on the screen. We didn't get any pictures to post so I am attaching a picture from the last ultrasound we had (18 weeks) - I imagine most of you haven't seen that one. She is so big that it was hard to make much out and she kept her arms over her face most of the time, but for just a moment she peeked one eye out from behind her little arms. She is now 4 pounds and is doing very well, however there were two findings that will result in us returning to the Doctor next Wednesday.

The first thing they saw which is what they called a non-issue was an Allantoic cyst on the umbilical cord near the placenta. Of slightly more concern is that the level of Amniotic Fluid is measuring at 8.5 which is considered a low-normal result. When the level reaches below 5 it is considered to be problematic. The good news is that this level will vary from day to day so we may go back next Wednesday and it will be a 12. We are watching more closely for low fluid in this pregnancy because in the last weeks of Annie's pregnancy with Maddie her fluid level went from a 17(32 weeks) to an 11 (36 weeks) to an 8(37 weeks) - the relatively quick drop off and the findings in the non-stress test that Maddie was laying on her cord at times pushed us to induce at 37 weeks. It is important to remember that every baby is different so it is not necessarily bad news that the fluid is at an 8.5 right now, however it doesn't give much room for a decline in fluid - after the ultrasound and the non-stress test next Wednesday we will know a lot more.

Annie is also doing very well, she is starting to tire a bit more and her back is hurting but she is doing a great job pushing ahead. We have almost finished the nursery and since this last ultrasound made us realize how soon we could have a little one we are going to finish it this weekend.

Please pray for us - the longer we can wait to have her the better for our new little girl - we really don't want her to have to spend a week or more in the NICU like Maddie did. Of course just because she is early doesn't mean that will happen and we haven't forgotten how fragile new life (and for that matter all life) can be and how little control we actually have which I believe will help us accept whatever the future holds and wherever God sends us.

We will keep everyone updated.

Garrison