Back story...
I have an autoimmune disorder called Sjogren's Syndrome. While I really don't have any of the clinical problems with the disease (dry eyes, mouth, etc.) I do have high levels of the autoantibodies that are associated with it; anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies, one of which is associated with congenital heart block.
In addition to my ob/midwife practice, I also see a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist. I am now going into 21 weeks and have had two ultrasounds by this point, the second being a Level II ultrasound at 19 weeks, in which the little one was declared to be perfectly normal. (I am amazed at how good "perfectly normal" sounds!). From my understanding, since fetal heart block can occur up until about 32 weeks, my MFM recommended a referral to a Fetal Cardiologist with a fetal echocardiogram.
So... yesterday was our first visit, and our first echo. It went very well, and there was nothing indicating any problem whatsoever. The little one put on a show, constantly moving and being all around difficult, but the tech and the cardiologist were able to get some good images and measurements and are very happy with the way things are going. However, since we are not past the point that we can be considered free and clear of the possibility of it developing, it was recommended that we do weekly echos until 26 weeks, then biweekly until 32 weeks.
Although it's an hour drive one way to the cardiologists' office, I'm happy to go every week, plus I get to see the little one on a regular basis. It's not as if I need the reassurance that things are fine (the constant acrobatics tell me that, plus the overwhelming sense that everything will work out all right), but I almost feel like if I don't go as recommended that I won't be doing everything I can to make sure that the baby is as healthy as possible. Is that strange? And is anyone else having them done on a regular basis?
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