Hi, OP. I've read your entire thread. I'm praying for you and your family and your medical team.

Also, my last and third pregnancy put us through quite a scare via multiple ultrasounds. Every one was inconclusive or borderline or called for another, better equipped facility and or radiologist. I was told not to Google and so, I did.

We had decided that this baby was our last and in keeping with tradition, chose NOT to find out the sex of the baby.
My ob/gynecologist let it slip and said that the condition that my baby was at risk for was "very common in baby boys" and we discussed surgical options, timing, follow up steps, etc.

Imagine my utter disbelief when I delivered a baby girl. She had an ultrasound and two special blood tests within hours and...absolutely no concerning issues. None. I still don't know exactly what happened. She's now an actively growing teenage girl, mood swings and attitude and all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How are you, OP?

I'm hanging in there, thanks for asking. We had another of our routine ultrasounds and the virilization process appears to be continuing so things look quite male now. Baby is otherwise healthy, there continues to be no explanation for what's going on - we'll just learn more upon birth, I suppose. It's been noted in our chart that the NICU team should be present at the birth so the baby can be evaluated right away in case any urgent issues present themselves that wouldn't have shown up in testing or on the ultrasound. At this point I can't think of anything else to Google, so I'm trying to just go about my business as usual.

I'm so glad they have plans in place to make sure your baby is well taken care of!

Are you getting enough help and support for you? You have a whole bunch of internet strangers rooting for the health of you and your baby!

Anonymous wrote:How are you, OP?

I'm hanging in there, thanks for asking. We had another of our routine ultrasounds and the virilization process appears to be continuing so things look quite male now. Baby is otherwise healthy, there continues to be no explanation for what's going on - we'll just learn more upon birth, I suppose. It's been noted in our chart that the NICU team should be present at the birth so the baby can be evaluated right away in case any urgent issues present themselves that wouldn't have shown up in testing or on the ultrasound. At this point I can't think of anything else to Google, so I'm trying to just go about my business as usual.

How are you, OP?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP, just checking in. Hope you are well! Have you had your appointment with CHOP?

Not yet, the soonest they could get in me in wasn't until later this month. We do have another ultrasound coming up with our usual doctor though, so I'm trying to gird myself for that -- the last one was very difficult for me, just seeing everything. I felt awful for having such a negative emotional response to what's literally just the sight of my child's body, so hopefully I'll be in better shape this time around.

Don’t worry about your negative response to the ultrasound. Really. You’re having a lot of them because something doesn’t look as it’s expected to, which is scary and nerve wracking, and would make ultrasounds no fun. You will love your baby when they arrive no matter what (although I didn’t bond with my son immediately, I did love him, it’s all normal).

Have you considered seeing a counselor who can help you process all of this as it’s happening? It’s alot, and having help as you go through it may be helpful.

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP, just checking in. Hope you are well! Have you had your appointment with CHOP?

Not yet, the soonest they could get in me in wasn't until later this month. We do have another ultrasound coming up with our usual doctor though, so I'm trying to gird myself for that -- the last one was very difficult for me, just seeing everything. I felt awful for having such a negative emotional response to what's literally just the sight of my child's body, so hopefully I'll be in better shape this time around.

Hi OP, just checking in. Hope you are well! Have you had your appointment with CHOP?

Another stranger who came back to check up on you, OP! So glad that you are going to get another opinion - they became essential during what was a really tough/ambiguous first pregnancy. When is your scheduled appointment with them? Hoping its soon!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've also been keeping up with this and wish you the best, OP. Thank you for being so open with us strangers on the internet.

Ha! You're quite welcome. It feels a little weird to be so open (I assume none of my family or friends read DCUM so that helps) but it's nice to have a little community in this thread. Also it's always so frustrating when people post about issues and then never update on what the outcome was, so I figure I'm doing my little part to make the forums more useful in case this ever happens to someone else.

Have you gotten the CAH results yet OP? I have also been following this thread and thinking of you a lot. Wishing your whole family the best and agree I think this kid is going to be fine with you as parents

Glad to see your update, OP. I find it reassuring to talk with experts on a subject, and that's what you'll get at CHOP. Any time your thread pops up in recent topics I click there first. Just another well wisher--your children are lucky to have you.

Anonymous wrote:I've also been keeping up with this and wish you the best, OP. Thank you for being so open with us strangers on the internet.

Ha! You're quite welcome. It feels a little weird to be so open (I assume none of my family or friends read DCUM so that helps) but it's nice to have a little community in this thread. Also it's always so frustrating when people post about issues and then never update on what the outcome was, so I figure I'm doing my little part to make the forums more useful in case this ever happens to someone else.

I've also been keeping up with this and wish you the best, OP. Thank you for being so open with us strangers on the internet.

I’ve been reading and sending you good thoughts. With a mother with your strength and grace this baby will be just fine and so well loved.

Anonymous wrote:OP checking in again. We decided to go ahead and get in touch with CHOP, since if the baby does have some kind of disorder/difference of sex development that requires treatment, that's where we'd take her after she's born (they have an entire practice dedicated to such disorders). Since we're in touch with them now, we are going to go ahead and get a second opinion ultrasound there - it sounds like the equipment they have there is very advanced so if nothing else we should get a clear picture of what's going anatomically and perhaps some idea of what the cause might be, since all the amnio testing came back negative. I figure this way, at least we'll be on the radar of the right specialists if the baby turns out to need additional care after birth.

this sounds like a good idea. thanks for the update, OP, and good luck!

Re: the stress hormones

I was similarly worried due to some crazy stressful stuff that happened during my pregnancies. What my OB told me is when we’re talking about stress that can impact a baby, we’re talking like war zone level stress for extended periods of time. The kind of stress where you’re so hopped up on adrenaline you aren’t eating or even going to the bathroom.

Another friend had her mother die unexpectedly when she was pregnant with her first baby. She cried so much she asked her OB how much is too much. The OB said it’s fine. The kid is a perfect young adult now.

Also, yet another friend has spent tons of time at CHOP with her child. It truly is a special place. The doctors there are brilliant. I think you’re making a good choice going to see them.