Well, here we go again! Looks like our last round of fertility treatments worked very well and we are praying to bring home two more little TAC babies in February! Yes, February. February where we delivered and lost Jonah and Noah, and delivered our sweet baby Isaac 5 weeks early. February, the month that used to bring me such horrible anxiety. I'm due March 11 but TAC twins tend to come early and I have SO much pressure to keep these babies in until at LEAST February 1!
I am definitely nervous, definitely scared. I am going to be seeing a new High Risk OB next week to get a game plan. I need her to be aggressive. These babies will complete our family and we would really, really like to bring them home. Prayer is much appreciated.
Jonah and Noah
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Feel free to steal!
I just made this button so I can share it with the world. Feel free to take it to strike up some convo about the TAC!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Group B Strep
One thing I did fail to mention, because it was not caused by the TAC and I don't want anyone to unnecessarily worry about something rare happening, is that Isaac developed a Group B Strep (GBS) infection 2 weeks after we brought him home. Actually, it was just a few days after I wrote my March 26 post. He was inconsolable one night, and after driving around with him at 4 am and calling a nurse line, we took him to the ER. He endured some awful testing (spinal tap, blood draws) an ambulance ride, among many other things, and spent 11 days in a Children's hospital with a PICC line in his head receiving antibiotics.
Moral of the story: While very rare, GBS can still be transmitted to baby in a c-section delivery. Who knew.
Another moral of my story: Make sure to do your kick counts in the 3rd trimester. If you feel off at ALL, go into Labor and Delivery. He was always such a mover; when he slowed down I knew something was wrong, and it turned out that I was right. Something was indeed wrong and he was delivered that day. Do your kick counts, mamas! I almost lost my baby.
ETA: Thanks ladies. We believe it was being hidden by all the broad spectrum antibiotics he was briefly given in the NICU, and then it returned full force after he was released.
Moral of the story: While very rare, GBS can still be transmitted to baby in a c-section delivery. Who knew.
Another moral of my story: Make sure to do your kick counts in the 3rd trimester. If you feel off at ALL, go into Labor and Delivery. He was always such a mover; when he slowed down I knew something was wrong, and it turned out that I was right. Something was indeed wrong and he was delivered that day. Do your kick counts, mamas! I almost lost my baby.
ETA: Thanks ladies. We believe it was being hidden by all the broad spectrum antibiotics he was briefly given in the NICU, and then it returned full force after he was released.
Welcome!
If you want to read about my journey with the TAC, you can start at the beginning. I won't be making any updates, but I wanted to keep this blog up as I was pretty dedicated at documenting my experience. I'm sad that ANYone has to experience this surgery and the loss that most likely preceded it, but know that it has helped so many of us take home our full-term (or near-term) healthy babies.
((((((((HUGS)))))))))))
((((((((HUGS)))))))))))
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Farewell to this blog + Birth Story
Obviously I haven't updated in a while, and that's because I delivered Isaac at 35w1d due to some unforeseen, left field circumstances. I'll be taking a break from this blog, but leaving it up and checking occasionally because I feel there is lots of information here about the TAC and hopefully that is useful to someone.
The TAC got us to 35w1d, I have NO doubt about that! If what happened to me hadn't happened, we would have definitely made it to 38w3d, to our scheduled c/section. No doubt whatsoever. The TAC totally did it's job, and my cervix was ROCK STAR the whole pregnancy! My c/section was performed by the on-call OB, who did a great job although had never seen a TAC before. My regular OB had talked to Dr. Haney and got some information on the delivery, so I was a little worried that some random OB performed my c/section, but it turned out great.
Here's what happened (copied and pasted from private blog, so hopefully it's clear):
So, placental abruption is NOT what happened. I believe, based on the presenting evidence, that my OB called a placental abruption because it seemed to make sense and gave us somewhat of an answer at the time.
However, she was incorrect. The Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM; a High Risk OB) doctor who was on call that night had been trying to reach me ALL day Friday. He reviewed and reviewed every step of our admittance day and reached a different, more rare conclusion. He came to the NICU looking for me as my mom and I had just stepped out for lunch, he called my cell 3 times without leaving a message, and finally reached us at home on Friday night at 6 pm.
He diagnosed the situation as a massive fetomaternal hemorrhage. I googled it and only a few case studies came up. The gist of it is that basically his blood hemorrhaged into mine, causing him to have severe blood loss. The only indicator is low or no fetal movement. There are no other warning signs. By the time it’s diagnosed, the baby is usually already dead. This happens in 1:5,000 pregnancies with the amount of blood loss he experienced. He used a garden hose as an explanation, which illustrates Isaac’s cord. There was a microscopic tear somewhere and the pressure caused Isaac’s blood to just rush out of his body straight into mine. The hemorrhage is somewhat common, but the amount lost was off the charts. In the 3 case studies I read about, the highest one was 207mL of fetal blood circulating in the mother’s bloodstream. I had 300mL of Isaac’s blood, not the 250 I was previously told. Yikes. It’s about 10 ounces, which explains the 11 Rhogam shots.
All babies are miracles, but Isaac is OUR miracle. He had some serious help from God’s angels, that is for SURE. He spent 17 days in NICU, received 2 transfusions, was intubated, sedated, had a feeding tube, had lung issues, but FINALLY overcame it all and is now home with us 100% healthy.
Here's a picture of our little man at delivery (he was 6lbs 1 oz, so not terribly little), a picture during his 17 day NICU stay, and one of our healthy, take home baby boy.
Note that he had zero cord blood, and how pale (and severely anemic) he was at birth. The transfusions happened within a couple of hours of his birth.
The worst of his NICU stay, when he was fully intubated, unresponsive and on morphine for over 24 hours:
And, our perfect little guy today:
The TAC got us to 35w1d, I have NO doubt about that! If what happened to me hadn't happened, we would have definitely made it to 38w3d, to our scheduled c/section. No doubt whatsoever. The TAC totally did it's job, and my cervix was ROCK STAR the whole pregnancy! My c/section was performed by the on-call OB, who did a great job although had never seen a TAC before. My regular OB had talked to Dr. Haney and got some information on the delivery, so I was a little worried that some random OB performed my c/section, but it turned out great.
Here's what happened (copied and pasted from private blog, so hopefully it's clear):
So, placental abruption is NOT what happened. I believe, based on the presenting evidence, that my OB called a placental abruption because it seemed to make sense and gave us somewhat of an answer at the time.
However, she was incorrect. The Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM; a High Risk OB) doctor who was on call that night had been trying to reach me ALL day Friday. He reviewed and reviewed every step of our admittance day and reached a different, more rare conclusion. He came to the NICU looking for me as my mom and I had just stepped out for lunch, he called my cell 3 times without leaving a message, and finally reached us at home on Friday night at 6 pm.
He diagnosed the situation as a massive fetomaternal hemorrhage. I googled it and only a few case studies came up. The gist of it is that basically his blood hemorrhaged into mine, causing him to have severe blood loss. The only indicator is low or no fetal movement. There are no other warning signs. By the time it’s diagnosed, the baby is usually already dead. This happens in 1:5,000 pregnancies with the amount of blood loss he experienced. He used a garden hose as an explanation, which illustrates Isaac’s cord. There was a microscopic tear somewhere and the pressure caused Isaac’s blood to just rush out of his body straight into mine. The hemorrhage is somewhat common, but the amount lost was off the charts. In the 3 case studies I read about, the highest one was 207mL of fetal blood circulating in the mother’s bloodstream. I had 300mL of Isaac’s blood, not the 250 I was previously told. Yikes. It’s about 10 ounces, which explains the 11 Rhogam shots.
All babies are miracles, but Isaac is OUR miracle. He had some serious help from God’s angels, that is for SURE. He spent 17 days in NICU, received 2 transfusions, was intubated, sedated, had a feeding tube, had lung issues, but FINALLY overcame it all and is now home with us 100% healthy.
Here's a picture of our little man at delivery (he was 6lbs 1 oz, so not terribly little), a picture during his 17 day NICU stay, and one of our healthy, take home baby boy.
Note that he had zero cord blood, and how pale (and severely anemic) he was at birth. The transfusions happened within a couple of hours of his birth.
The worst of his NICU stay, when he was fully intubated, unresponsive and on morphine for over 24 hours:
And, our perfect little guy today:
Thursday, February 17, 2011
almost 34 weeks!!
This has been a ridiculous emotional rollercoaster of a fortnight. (I've always wanted to work that in somewhere). I don't know what it IS about February, but it just doesn't seem to be our month...
February 5 - 1st anniversary of losing Jonah
February 10 - 1st anniversary of losing Noah
February 11 - Keith's grandpa passed away, flew out of state for his funeral
February 11 - a family member experienced a miscarriage
February 16 - my great grandmother passed away, leaving tomorrow out of state for funeral
Can it just be March yet? It will be like a new leaf. Isaac is still moving around like crazy - on his same routine every day - and we will finally have another ultrasound in a couple of weeks! I'm exhausted most of the time, but have been running on adrenaline this past week. I still have heartburn daily, nausea most of the day, and I'm still not ready for his arrival! Next week a dear friend is coming over to help me nest in the nursery, so after that I'm sure I'll feel a TON better. I just have to get through THIS week. :(
EDIT: Isaac ended up being born in February, also, to remind us that things are not ALWAYS bad and there's no such thing as bad luck OR superstition.
February 5 - 1st anniversary of losing Jonah
February 10 - 1st anniversary of losing Noah
February 11 - Keith's grandpa passed away, flew out of state for his funeral
February 11 - a family member experienced a miscarriage
February 16 - my great grandmother passed away, leaving tomorrow out of state for funeral
Can it just be March yet? It will be like a new leaf. Isaac is still moving around like crazy - on his same routine every day - and we will finally have another ultrasound in a couple of weeks! I'm exhausted most of the time, but have been running on adrenaline this past week. I still have heartburn daily, nausea most of the day, and I'm still not ready for his arrival! Next week a dear friend is coming over to help me nest in the nursery, so after that I'm sure I'll feel a TON better. I just have to get through THIS week. :(
EDIT: Isaac ended up being born in February, also, to remind us that things are not ALWAYS bad and there's no such thing as bad luck OR superstition.
Friday, February 4, 2011
32 weeks!!!!!!
I cannot believe we've made it this far!!!!! I had a BABY SHOWER last weekend, we have a bassinet in our room, we bought a diaper bag and a changing pad for the dresser. Keith did a huge load of baby laundry, the little t-shirts and Onesies are stacked up ready to be organized... I still feel like all this preparation is for someone else's baby. That sounds insane, but I still feel like we're just pretending about some hypothetical baby that we're preparing for in 5 more years, like when we're "old enough" to take care of another human. I mean, 1 month before my 30th birthday is definitely too young to have a child! Riiiiiiiight...
A woman in my OB's office (1,000 miles away from Chicago and Dr. Haney) was talking to her/my OB about possibly getting the TAC. Since I'm currently the first and only TAC patient in her office, she hooked us up! It's good to know the word is spreading about the TAC and it's success. So exciting!
I really should get on packing a bag and pre-registering and such. I'm just so tired...
PS - WHAT happened to January? Seriously! That month just came and went w/o me even registering it.
45 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Isaac Nolan will be here in 45 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A woman in my OB's office (1,000 miles away from Chicago and Dr. Haney) was talking to her/my OB about possibly getting the TAC. Since I'm currently the first and only TAC patient in her office, she hooked us up! It's good to know the word is spreading about the TAC and it's success. So exciting!
I really should get on packing a bag and pre-registering and such. I'm just so tired...
PS - WHAT happened to January? Seriously! That month just came and went w/o me even registering it.
45 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Isaac Nolan will be here in 45 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Updates
As you can see to the right I have put up an awkwardly placed ticker with the countdown to our son's birth!! He will be born via scheduled c/section at noon on March 21, 2011. It seems like SO far away still, but I know it's coming up quickly!
My OB told me that I needed to travel. She is giving me until 34 weeks to do anything I'd like to do since things are going so well. The diabetes is managed well, I've had almost no contractions, no swelling, good blood pressure. The TAC is a miracle worker.
Our little guy is SUCH a big mover. At 28 weeks he was breech, and I really don't think he's flipped yet. I feel almost constant punching/kicking simultaneously in my right ribs and left hip. My belly is starting to move like an alien, from side to side, and jerking quickly up and down. Silly boy!!!
I'm 30w6d today and I bet he's close to 4 lbs at least. I am currently meeting with my OB every 2 weeks to monitor my glucose levels and b/p and growth. No more ultrasounds until 36 weeks, though, unless something is worrisom enough to deem it necessary. At my appt. this week, my uterus measured 32 weeks, or 2 weeks ahead of schedule! In doing some reading, I'm guessing I'm measuring bigger because he's likely still breech.
We had to give her the name of a pediatrician (gasp!), I have to get pre-registered with the hospital (double gasp!) and I'm meeting with said pediatrician this Friday (eeeeek!). Things are really getting real. On a daily basis, I think about a "take home baby," yet I still feel like it's such an abstract impossibility. All signs are pointing to bringing home a healthy son, I just can't grasp it. I'm preparing, going through the motions, but not really acknowledging that it's happening to me and not someone else. So totally weird, I know, but such is the mind of a woman who's had such tragedy and loss and struggle in her life. I can't wait to see him in the flesh, alive and breathing, eyes opening and closing. I can't wait.
My OB told me that I needed to travel. She is giving me until 34 weeks to do anything I'd like to do since things are going so well. The diabetes is managed well, I've had almost no contractions, no swelling, good blood pressure. The TAC is a miracle worker.
Our little guy is SUCH a big mover. At 28 weeks he was breech, and I really don't think he's flipped yet. I feel almost constant punching/kicking simultaneously in my right ribs and left hip. My belly is starting to move like an alien, from side to side, and jerking quickly up and down. Silly boy!!!
I'm 30w6d today and I bet he's close to 4 lbs at least. I am currently meeting with my OB every 2 weeks to monitor my glucose levels and b/p and growth. No more ultrasounds until 36 weeks, though, unless something is worrisom enough to deem it necessary. At my appt. this week, my uterus measured 32 weeks, or 2 weeks ahead of schedule! In doing some reading, I'm guessing I'm measuring bigger because he's likely still breech.
We had to give her the name of a pediatrician (gasp!), I have to get pre-registered with the hospital (double gasp!) and I'm meeting with said pediatrician this Friday (eeeeek!). Things are really getting real. On a daily basis, I think about a "take home baby," yet I still feel like it's such an abstract impossibility. All signs are pointing to bringing home a healthy son, I just can't grasp it. I'm preparing, going through the motions, but not really acknowledging that it's happening to me and not someone else. So totally weird, I know, but such is the mind of a woman who's had such tragedy and loss and struggle in her life. I can't wait to see him in the flesh, alive and breathing, eyes opening and closing. I can't wait.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
M.I.A...
I've been a bit MIA lately, not for any physical reasons. Everything is going pretty well, in fact. The gestational diabetes is being controlled by diet, I got my Rhogam shot, baby boy is measuring perfectly, and I'm now seeing my OB every 2 weeks. He has a name, a crib, a bassinet, lots of clothes, books, a car seat. Physically, we're getting ready.
However, things are emotionally difficult for me right now as the anniversary of the births and deaths of our twins is coming swiftly. I actually scheduled a Labor/Delivery Tour at my hospital with my husband and a good friend and her husband for February 5. I only today put it together that it will mark one year to the day that our first son Jonah was born and died, and the awful rollercoaster week that ended with the birth and death of his brother Noah. As of right now I am keeping the appointment, since I really do want the tour. Despite being there for a week I have no clue what anything was like. I have NO idea how I will react. If I run into one of the nurses (especially Louann, who delivered Noah herself and was SO amazing and motherly to me) I will most definitely lose it... (EDIT: Louann was there and assisted in the emergency c/s delivery of Isaac. Creepy!). There are just WAY too many memories there. On one hand, I feel if I go it will desensitize me a little so when I do deliver our take-home baby, I may hurt a little less. I'm SO terrified that I'm going to give birth to this son and not want to hold him because I'll be painfully reminded of the ones I didn't get to bring home.
I feel torn. I should be excited, yet I'm having days where I'm perfectly content to lay in bed and cry. I'm just really conflicted right now. That's the most I can say about it. I'm not going to try to analyze it, I'm just going to feel it. I'm certain other baby-loss moms out there totally understand me.
I've been really bad about the weekly check-ins lately, so here it is for 29w5d (today):
How far along? 29w5d, a squash, I believe. He should be a little over 3 lbs.
Weight gain/loss: 10-12 depending on the scale
Sleep? IIt's getting more uncomfortable and bathroom trips are not bringing as much relief as they previously were!
Best moment this week? Watching my stomach move and twist. A few days ago Keith was on the laptop, I was reading, and the dogs were at the foot of the bed sleeping. All of a sudden, little man started jerking and twitching and started shaking a KING size bed and all it's occupants. He's a strong one!!!!
Movement: So much, and he's been punching the same spot over and over again. His head was near my belly button facing to the right, so his hands are punching my right side, and something is simultaneously hitting my left hip. I feel like he's running in place all the time! He's going to be high energy that's for sure.
Food cravings: Turkey sandwich with "dog cheese" (Kraft singles, we use it to give the dogs their meds) and mayo with a Diet Dr P. Also, ice cream with peanut butter and Hershey's syrup. Those have been what I look forward to most each day.
What I miss? I hate this question. <-- Still the same
What I am looking forward to? Baby shower on January 29!
Milestones: He has SUCH an amazing chance at survival now. We are scheduling the c/s at my next appt in a week (either March 18 or 25, depending on my OB's Spring Break schedule (yes)) and I have an appt with a pediatrician next Friday! It really is happening.
What I'm nervous about: Nothing yet...
However, things are emotionally difficult for me right now as the anniversary of the births and deaths of our twins is coming swiftly. I actually scheduled a Labor/Delivery Tour at my hospital with my husband and a good friend and her husband for February 5. I only today put it together that it will mark one year to the day that our first son Jonah was born and died, and the awful rollercoaster week that ended with the birth and death of his brother Noah. As of right now I am keeping the appointment, since I really do want the tour. Despite being there for a week I have no clue what anything was like. I have NO idea how I will react. If I run into one of the nurses (especially Louann, who delivered Noah herself and was SO amazing and motherly to me) I will most definitely lose it... (EDIT: Louann was there and assisted in the emergency c/s delivery of Isaac. Creepy!). There are just WAY too many memories there. On one hand, I feel if I go it will desensitize me a little so when I do deliver our take-home baby, I may hurt a little less. I'm SO terrified that I'm going to give birth to this son and not want to hold him because I'll be painfully reminded of the ones I didn't get to bring home.
I feel torn. I should be excited, yet I'm having days where I'm perfectly content to lay in bed and cry. I'm just really conflicted right now. That's the most I can say about it. I'm not going to try to analyze it, I'm just going to feel it. I'm certain other baby-loss moms out there totally understand me.
I've been really bad about the weekly check-ins lately, so here it is for 29w5d (today):
How far along? 29w5d, a squash, I believe. He should be a little over 3 lbs.
Weight gain/loss: 10-12 depending on the scale
Sleep? IIt's getting more uncomfortable and bathroom trips are not bringing as much relief as they previously were!
Best moment this week? Watching my stomach move and twist. A few days ago Keith was on the laptop, I was reading, and the dogs were at the foot of the bed sleeping. All of a sudden, little man started jerking and twitching and started shaking a KING size bed and all it's occupants. He's a strong one!!!!
Movement: So much, and he's been punching the same spot over and over again. His head was near my belly button facing to the right, so his hands are punching my right side, and something is simultaneously hitting my left hip. I feel like he's running in place all the time! He's going to be high energy that's for sure.
Food cravings: Turkey sandwich with "dog cheese" (Kraft singles, we use it to give the dogs their meds) and mayo with a Diet Dr P. Also, ice cream with peanut butter and Hershey's syrup. Those have been what I look forward to most each day.
What I miss? I hate this question. <-- Still the same
What I am looking forward to? Baby shower on January 29!
Milestones: He has SUCH an amazing chance at survival now. We are scheduling the c/s at my next appt in a week (either March 18 or 25, depending on my OB's Spring Break schedule (yes)) and I have an appt with a pediatrician next Friday! It really is happening.
What I'm nervous about: Nothing yet...
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Third Tri Check-In
How far along? 27w5d, an eggplant! Yesterday he was 2 lb, 11 oz!!!
Weight gain/loss: 9 lbs at OB office
Sleep? I'm still sleeping well, but at 3 am, I wake up starving! Thanks to GD, I can't eat anything :(
Best moment this week? Seeing him yesterday was magical.
Movement: All the time! He's a mover and shaker.
Food cravings: Triscuits. Non stop.
What I miss? I hate this question.
What I am looking forward to? Baby shower on January 29!
Milestones: Almost 3 lbs, officially in 3rd trimester!
What I'm nervous about: Nothing!
Weight gain/loss: 9 lbs at OB office
Sleep? I'm still sleeping well, but at 3 am, I wake up starving! Thanks to GD, I can't eat anything :(
Best moment this week? Seeing him yesterday was magical.
Movement: All the time! He's a mover and shaker.
Food cravings: Triscuits. Non stop.
What I miss? I hate this question.
What I am looking forward to? Baby shower on January 29!
Milestones: Almost 3 lbs, officially in 3rd trimester!
What I'm nervous about: Nothing!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Last 2nd Tri Check-in: 99 days left!!!!!
This is my last 2nd tri check-in! On to the third trimester next week. I can't believe I've made it this far!!!
How far along? 25w6d, an eggplant! He should be around 15.5 inches long at this point!
Weight gain/loss: 7 pounds? Not sure why all the fluctuations...
Sleep? I'm sleeping GREAT!
Best moment this week? Figuring out why I was having contractions. I was otherwise getting pretty scared and we were emotionally preparing ourselves for his arrival. Also, we ordered the high chair today so that was fun!
Movement: He's slowed down quite a bit but he's still wriggling around in there. I really think he has less room to move around, so the movements are not quite as strong.
Food cravings: Spicy, spicy spicy. Hot wings and Taco Bell with lots of fire sauce! <-- This, still!+
What I miss? I hate this question.
What I am looking forward to? Next OB appt on January 4!
Milestones: Almost in the 3rd trimester. :)
What I'm nervous about: The Diabetes Counseling classes I have to take starting January 4. :(
How far along? 25w6d, an eggplant! He should be around 15.5 inches long at this point!
Weight gain/loss: 7 pounds? Not sure why all the fluctuations...
Sleep? I'm sleeping GREAT!
Best moment this week? Figuring out why I was having contractions. I was otherwise getting pretty scared and we were emotionally preparing ourselves for his arrival. Also, we ordered the high chair today so that was fun!
Movement: He's slowed down quite a bit but he's still wriggling around in there. I really think he has less room to move around, so the movements are not quite as strong.
Food cravings: Spicy, spicy spicy. Hot wings and Taco Bell with lots of fire sauce! <-- This, still!+
What I miss? I hate this question.
What I am looking forward to? Next OB appt on January 4!
Milestones: Almost in the 3rd trimester. :)
What I'm nervous about: The Diabetes Counseling classes I have to take starting January 4. :(
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Contractions and GD
So last week I was having contractions while on the toco monitor. Quite a few of them, 5 an hour to be exact. Nothing earth-shatteringly scary, but definitely enough to keep me in bed for a couple of days.
I think we figured out why, though - I was laying propped with pillows on my back. The nurses said that sometimes if blood flow to the uterus is hampered at all, the uterus will respond by becoming irritable. Whew!!!! I've since been monitoring on my side and so far only 1-2 contractions picked up. I'm very thankful, we are NOT wanting to meet Little Man this soon!
Yesterday I got diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. Not happy about that, but I guess the bright side is that I'm being forced into a healthy diet. I like healthy foods, so that won't be a problem. I just really like sweet and unhealthy foods, too. He will be worth it. All worth it!!!
I think we figured out why, though - I was laying propped with pillows on my back. The nurses said that sometimes if blood flow to the uterus is hampered at all, the uterus will respond by becoming irritable. Whew!!!! I've since been monitoring on my side and so far only 1-2 contractions picked up. I'm very thankful, we are NOT wanting to meet Little Man this soon!
Yesterday I got diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. Not happy about that, but I guess the bright side is that I'm being forced into a healthy diet. I like healthy foods, so that won't be a problem. I just really like sweet and unhealthy foods, too. He will be worth it. All worth it!!!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Weekly Check-in
How far along? 24w6d, almost an eggplant! I'm sure he's close to 2 lbs already.
Weight gain/loss: +8'ish
Sleep? We've been so busy with family in town that sleep is great! I pass out every night and only get up 2-3 times to go to the bathroom, then pass right back out.
Best moment this week? Keith FINALLY felt him kick from the outside. He also was able to see it from the outside. Our boy is a strong one!
Movement: Yes, lots! He seems to be on my schedule, active during the day (he starts moving right when I wake up) and is pretty quiet through the night. Last night we were driving home from getting dinner and were stopped by a freight train. We had the windows open since it was 78 degrees (in December!) and we were the first in line waiting for the train to pass. It shrieked the horn and the poor little guy jumped - as much as he could within a cramped uterus, that is. The train horn was SO loud that it scared him!
Food cravings: Spicy, spicy spicy. Hot wings and Taco Bell with lots of fire sauce!
What I miss? This is always such a hard question. Although I miss quite a few things, I don't really feel like I'm giving up anything that is going to matter. I just want this baby to be born healthy and as close to term as possible. I can give up Diet Coke and a calm stomach for 9 months, really, I can.
What I am looking forward to? Next OB appt on January 4!
Milestones: We already hit viability and next week his eyes will start to open!!!!
What I'm nervous about: Results of my 3 hour glucose test... I'm anxiously awaiting their call.
Weight gain/loss: +8'ish
Sleep? We've been so busy with family in town that sleep is great! I pass out every night and only get up 2-3 times to go to the bathroom, then pass right back out.
Best moment this week? Keith FINALLY felt him kick from the outside. He also was able to see it from the outside. Our boy is a strong one!
Movement: Yes, lots! He seems to be on my schedule, active during the day (he starts moving right when I wake up) and is pretty quiet through the night. Last night we were driving home from getting dinner and were stopped by a freight train. We had the windows open since it was 78 degrees (in December!) and we were the first in line waiting for the train to pass. It shrieked the horn and the poor little guy jumped - as much as he could within a cramped uterus, that is. The train horn was SO loud that it scared him!
Food cravings: Spicy, spicy spicy. Hot wings and Taco Bell with lots of fire sauce!
What I miss? This is always such a hard question. Although I miss quite a few things, I don't really feel like I'm giving up anything that is going to matter. I just want this baby to be born healthy and as close to term as possible. I can give up Diet Coke and a calm stomach for 9 months, really, I can.
What I am looking forward to? Next OB appt on January 4!
Milestones: We already hit viability and next week his eyes will start to open!!!!
What I'm nervous about: Results of my 3 hour glucose test... I'm anxiously awaiting their call.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Beaking Cervix, but not worried!
I should have posted this yesterday; oops!
Everything looks great - Baby Boy is 1 lb 8 oz!!!!! He would NOT let her get a pic of his face in 3d, he kept putting his hands up and boxing. When she would jiggle my stomach he would punch back with both hands, it was pretty funny!
Cervix is still long and closed BUT she noticed a tiny bit of "beaking" above the TAC. Below the TAC there is about 3.5cm of closed cervix. Above the TAC, there was almost 1 cm but it was beaked. She pushed hard at the top of my uterus and the pressure caused it to momentarily funnel, but the TAC is holding everything in, thank God!
My OB didn't want to see me for another month (and no sono) which kinda freaked me out. She said I was no longer being treated for incompetent cervix, but only monitoring for PTL, since I'm past the point of viability. I see her point, but I talked her into letting me get a cervical length check at my next appointment in a month. :)
Also, she said hospital policy is no elective c-section before 40 weeks without one of the major issues (pre-e, eclampsia, etc). She said a cerclage is not a reason to have an elective C at 38 weeks and she would have to go to the Chief and request approval IF my TAC surgeon gives her a good enough reason. She's got a conference call with him tomorrow and he requests a 38wk c-section to prevent uterine rupture since there's so much pressure on the band. I'm totally fine with going the whole 40 weeks if I can (plus I can get an April Fool's baby, if he will stay in that long). I'm not going to think about it just yet, but enjoy the time I have now. It's all so overwhelming!
Here is a 3d of his sweet little face:
Everything looks great - Baby Boy is 1 lb 8 oz!!!!! He would NOT let her get a pic of his face in 3d, he kept putting his hands up and boxing. When she would jiggle my stomach he would punch back with both hands, it was pretty funny!
Cervix is still long and closed BUT she noticed a tiny bit of "beaking" above the TAC. Below the TAC there is about 3.5cm of closed cervix. Above the TAC, there was almost 1 cm but it was beaked. She pushed hard at the top of my uterus and the pressure caused it to momentarily funnel, but the TAC is holding everything in, thank God!
My OB didn't want to see me for another month (and no sono) which kinda freaked me out. She said I was no longer being treated for incompetent cervix, but only monitoring for PTL, since I'm past the point of viability. I see her point, but I talked her into letting me get a cervical length check at my next appointment in a month. :)
Also, she said hospital policy is no elective c-section before 40 weeks without one of the major issues (pre-e, eclampsia, etc). She said a cerclage is not a reason to have an elective C at 38 weeks and she would have to go to the Chief and request approval IF my TAC surgeon gives her a good enough reason. She's got a conference call with him tomorrow and he requests a 38wk c-section to prevent uterine rupture since there's so much pressure on the band. I'm totally fine with going the whole 40 weeks if I can (plus I can get an April Fool's baby, if he will stay in that long). I'm not going to think about it just yet, but enjoy the time I have now. It's all so overwhelming!
Here is a 3d of his sweet little face:
Monday, December 6, 2010
Weekly Check-in
Okay, these are getting boring... but the good news is, boring is good! I don't really have much going on, just coasting through the end of the 2nd trimester, praying to be unscathed.
How far along? 23w3d, a papaya!
Weight gain/loss: +6
Sleep? Tossing and turning about once an hour :(
Best moment this week? Being able to get around and DO things!
Movement: I can see it from the outside most of the time. Daddy is still too impatient to wait a few minutes to feel it. I think his feelings are hurt that he doesn't react as soon as he hears Daddy's voice. I have to remind him that baby is not a circus performer and he doesn't perform on demand. There are moments of serious movement that are quite entertaining to watch! Movement is also getting into a pattern - anytime I wake up in the middle of the night, he gets going, and when I'm up in the morning, I feel him going crazy. Again around mid-morning, he has another strong one. Things will get quiet for a few hours, then around dinner time, he goes again, then once more before going to sleep. Pretty soon he's going to wake me up in the middle of the night!
Food cravings: Peanuts in shells, peanut butter, Reese's peanut butter cups, Peanut butter granola bars... can't get enough!
What I miss? Nothing really, it will all be worth it!
What I am looking forward to? Next ultrasound on December 7th
Milestones: His lungs are starting to grow and mature!
What I'm nervous about:Nothing right now! I take that back, I'm nervous for the glucose tolerance test tomorrow..... :(
How far along? 23w3d, a papaya!
Weight gain/loss: +6
Sleep? Tossing and turning about once an hour :(
Best moment this week? Being able to get around and DO things!
Movement: I can see it from the outside most of the time. Daddy is still too impatient to wait a few minutes to feel it. I think his feelings are hurt that he doesn't react as soon as he hears Daddy's voice. I have to remind him that baby is not a circus performer and he doesn't perform on demand. There are moments of serious movement that are quite entertaining to watch! Movement is also getting into a pattern - anytime I wake up in the middle of the night, he gets going, and when I'm up in the morning, I feel him going crazy. Again around mid-morning, he has another strong one. Things will get quiet for a few hours, then around dinner time, he goes again, then once more before going to sleep. Pretty soon he's going to wake me up in the middle of the night!
Food cravings: Peanuts in shells, peanut butter, Reese's peanut butter cups, Peanut butter granola bars... can't get enough!
What I miss? Nothing really, it will all be worth it!
What I am looking forward to? Next ultrasound on December 7th
Milestones: His lungs are starting to grow and mature!
What I'm nervous about:
Monday, November 29, 2010
Weekly Check-in
How far along? 22w3d, a papaya!
Weight gain/loss: +4
Sleep? Tossing and turning about once an hour :(
Best moment this week? Being able to get around and DO things!
Movement: He's been quiet for a few days, but reassures me that he's still there by small kicks. He must be going through a growth spurt!
Food cravings: SPICY! We had Taco Bell twice this weekend for lunch with Fire sauce, then buffalo wings. I think instead of me HAVING a boy, I'm turning into one...
What I miss? Nothing really, it will all be worth it!
What I am looking forward to? Next ultrasound on the 7th
Milestones: He can now taste what I eat...
What I'm nervous about: Nothing right now!
Weight gain/loss: +4
Sleep? Tossing and turning about once an hour :(
Best moment this week? Being able to get around and DO things!
Movement: He's been quiet for a few days, but reassures me that he's still there by small kicks. He must be going through a growth spurt!
Food cravings: SPICY! We had Taco Bell twice this weekend for lunch with Fire sauce, then buffalo wings. I think instead of me HAVING a boy, I'm turning into one...
What I miss? Nothing really, it will all be worth it!
What I am looking forward to? Next ultrasound on the 7th
Milestones: He can now taste what I eat...
What I'm nervous about: Nothing right now!
Saturday, November 27, 2010
INCREDIBLY Thankful.
Not only am I pregnant, but I'm SO close to viability!!! Not that we're expecting him ANYtime soon (he WILL be born at 38 weeks if I can do anything about it). I'm SO SO SO SO thankful for the mobility that I have with the TAC. I feel so NORMAL. I think every day how scared I was to conceive again, knowing that with a vaginal cerclage that gravity would be my enemy. Being in bed for 22 hours a day sounded fun at first, but I can't imagine being on strict bed rest the entire pregnancy. I feel for my friends who are currently in that situation. I know that it's temporary, but it takes a TON of energy to not go insane in the membrane.
I put up Christmas lights yesterday, DEEP cleaned my kitchen, carried stuff, rearranged furniture, vaccuumed, took a walk, went shopping and to Taco Bell. To most people, those don't sound like glamorous things, but when I think of the alternative, I am SO thankful that I was able to physically handle those tasks.
On a daily basis, I'm so glad I went this route with the TAC. It was scarier at first (major abdominal surgery in the first trimester!? insane!) but now I have this confidence that my body CAN do the right thing!
If I could outlaw the vaginal cerclage, I would. I wish insurance companies would cover, and I wish surgeons would learn and recommend it. I think the efforts are in place to have the medical field re-think the surgery, but it can't happen too soon to save these precious lives.
I put up Christmas lights yesterday, DEEP cleaned my kitchen, carried stuff, rearranged furniture, vaccuumed, took a walk, went shopping and to Taco Bell. To most people, those don't sound like glamorous things, but when I think of the alternative, I am SO thankful that I was able to physically handle those tasks.
On a daily basis, I'm so glad I went this route with the TAC. It was scarier at first (major abdominal surgery in the first trimester!? insane!) but now I have this confidence that my body CAN do the right thing!
If I could outlaw the vaginal cerclage, I would. I wish insurance companies would cover, and I wish surgeons would learn and recommend it. I think the efforts are in place to have the medical field re-think the surgery, but it can't happen too soon to save these precious lives.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
No change in cervix!!!!!!
STILL measuring 4.2 cm!!!!!!!!!! The TAC is gorgeous and I can see it supporting my boy. Everything is going textbook perfect so far. I feel so blessed.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Nursery Progress
I hate traditional nurseries for the most part. I don't like the cookie cutter cutesy bed-in-a-bag packages they sell at BRU. I don't like clutter or knick-knacks. I hate pastels. I dislike ornate furniture. We're not using crib bumpers or a bed skirt or a changing table. I'm just buying stuff that we like as we go along. I'm spending very very little - the splurgiest thing in his room right now is the Skip Hop Hare brush set for $25.00. Everything else was either on clearance or half off. All the furniture is from IKEA. We are not painting the room, either.
Now that you know where I'm coming from, here are the pics so far. Still have a LONG way to go, but it's fun to document where it started.
You can click on any photo to make it bigger!
Now that you know where I'm coming from, here are the pics so far. Still have a LONG way to go, but it's fun to document where it started.
You can click on any photo to make it bigger!
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| To the left, 2 Billy bookcases (IKEA) and a Poang chair (IKEA) and in the forefront, a total photobomber (dog butt). Curtains are from Wal-Mart (hometrend?) The pattern is called "Cascade." |
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Front view of bookcases and 2 dog butts   My splurge item for the twins - a Skip Hop Hare brush and comb set. So stinkin' cute!  I'm big on books. We have a decent starting point but I'm hoping to fill both bookcases! Green dot storage box from Target, I plan on getting a couple more of these. |
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