MRI

From three months on, Gwyneth's head circumference has been on the large side.  We have had several extra appointments between her standard check-ups to measure her head growth.  All babies heads continually grow, but what alarmed the doctor was the rate at which her head circumference grew in relation to her height and weight.  After our last appointment with our doctor in Northern California, she was satisfied that the growth had plateaued.

We had Gwyneth's one year check-up here in Southern California just last month.  Her measurements for height and weight were a little above average, both in the 75th percentile.  On the other hand, her head circumference was off the charts.  I of course was very concerned, but I remembered pictures of me as a child and boy was my head huge!  My parents said our pediatrician was never concerned about my head circumference.  Looking at my baby pictures I find it hard to believe nobody even had a thought that there could be something wrong.

I am fairly convinced that Gwyneth is perfectly fine.  She is meeting all her milestones with no problem and she is the smartest and happiest little girl.  I keep telling the doctors that she is just a brainiac and is uber smart like her mommy and daddy, but just to be safe the doctor would like to have an MRI done to confirm everything is ok.  The concern is that there may be too much fluid and pressure on her brain.

We had her pre-MRI appointment this afternoon and to be honest, I am more concerned about the actual procedure than the prospect of finding something on the MRI.  Gwyneth cannot have any food or milk after midnight tonight.  She can have water or juice up to three hours before the procedure but since the procedure is at 7:30 in the morning that means she cannot have any food or drink when she wakes up.  When we get there, she will be given medication orally that will make her tired and relaxed.  Then she will be taken into the procedure room where they will place a gas mask on her to make her fall asleep.  Once asleep they will administer the general anesthesia via IV and a breathing tube will be placed down her throat.  The entire procedure should take approximately 30 minutes.  Afterwards, she will be in recovery until they are satisfied that she is ok to leave.

We should have the results back in a week.  Until then, I will be anxiously awaiting the good news that Gwyneth is perfectly fine.  I am ready to put the worry behind us once and for all!