still cookin :)

I will have to go back and update this shortly but the most recent information is that I've made it 7 weeks and still cookin!  Baby is doing great, measuring 2 days AHEAD, so no worries on IUGR at this point anyhow. My AFI's have been in the mid 3's and as of last Thursday (4/14/11) the U/S shows the cord being under baby and over my cervix.  We also got a little bit of a "potty shot" not at a perfect angle but from what we saw, there's no boy parts :) at this point healthy, alive is all that matters.  I feel no different these days.  I do feel some "pressure" when I am on my feet too long.  I call it my little "stop" button and go sit/lay down for awhile with my feet up. My cervix is still nice, long and closed.  No signs of labor or infection at all.  I am scheduled to go in to the Woman's hospital in Omaha on May 3.  Finally found a fantastic nanny to be here with the boys which really helped me be able to relax... even though I'm going to miss my family like CRAZY.   Hubby did say they'd come visit me on Mother's Day - I'm already looking forward to that visit!  The boys get out for Spring Break here for a week on Weds.  I'm really looking forward to spending that quality time with them.  My youngest has had 2 soccer games already this season, both were victorious. He was the first to score for the season within minutes of the first game starting and ended up with like 4 goals and then had 5 goals at Sat's game - even though he was sick (we didn't know it until later, not sure he did either.)  He's such a sweetie, always concerned about me/baby. My oldest has been a tremendous help in doing things for me, I don't know what I'd do without them... As of now, I'm packing little bits as I go and buying things online that I feel I might need while in the hospital to help the time pass.  Keep those prayers coming... He is listening, they are working!!!  XXOO

Week 17 checkup and ultrasound 3/16/11

I was going to start off with 17w6d BUT I just discovered they didn't change my EDD based upon my u/s that showed me 3 days ahead back long ago - like I did ... sooo, 3 days back I go.  17w3d is what they have, so I better get on their schedule.

Anyhow, the visit today was good.  Nothing changed much.  AFI was 5.56 bladder partially full, we got a cute shot of the baby taking a drink - mouth open and we could see the fluid going down - so it IS getting fluid in!!   It was moving it's arms and while looking like it was a bit more work, it was able to move legs.  We got a cute shot of baby "waving" you can see the arm bones and fingers. 

I asked about P17 shots, she said the MFM didn't recommend them b/c I'm not having preterm labor or contractions.  But, on that note she DID tell me that they will start antibiotics and steroids when they admit me at about 23 and a half weeks.  I did ask if I could stay at the local hospital before having to go so far away, she said she didn't think so but that we'd discuss it later after I make it that far.

So odd that when I discovered my EDD was late Aug my first thoughts were "right when the boys go back to school" so it wouldn't be so chaotic.  Now, I'm panicking because I'm thinking OMG what will I do with them all summer while I'm in the hospital??  I'm trying to stay calm b/c yes, first we have to make it that far, and secondly, if all is going well I might MIGHT be able to convince them to let me stay home a bit longer or locally - the big level iii nicu hospital is 3 hours away by car, but the other nurse told me it's a quick flight via helicopter so, I would think they could get me there if needed.  IDK, on the other hand I know I need to do whats best for me/baby but my family as well - so, there's some things to iron out as we get closer to that 6 week from now mark. 

My walk through pProm

I don't know why I call it a walk - it's not relaxing nor enjoyable.  Let me start at the beginning.  Dec. 6, 2010 found out I was pregnant.  My husband and I were excited but nervous since our last one ended in a mmc nearly 5 years ago... we were cautiously optimistic but didn't tell anyone for awhile.  When I was 5 weeks along, I started bleeding - bright red.  DH took me to the ER where they determined my cervix was closed, no real cause for alarm.  The bleeding tapered off into spotting, turned brown but never went away.  For a few Saturdays I would have a mini bleed and then back to brown spotting (yes, very strange!!)  U/S determined I had a blood clot outside of the baby's sac so it wasn't anything to be overly concerned about.  I then had another major bleeding event with clots the end of Jan. That too, tapered off, changed to light brown and lasted for about 3 weeks.  Mind you I never really stopped spotting brown since my first bleed at 5 weeks except for a day or two at the most and that was rare!  I had another u/s and it was determined that my placenta had a small tear/pulling away from uterine wall just a bit but appeared to be healing.  I finally stopped spotting entirely on Feb. 19th.  In all honesty, I was actually more scared once I stopped spotting - while very annoying, it was also 'normal' so when it wasn't there, I was like oh no, now what.  My happiness was short-lived, as 9 days later, I got up from my chair and I felt a little gush.  I thought I was passing another blood clot - got to the bathroom and it wasn't blood but rather clear fluid.  I naturally thought, my water.  But, I felt fine, other than a huge headache (hadn't had a single headache the entire pregnancy until that morning.)  I decided it wasn't all that much and I would do the wait and see approach.  Well, uneventful 7 hours was replaced by another gush/leak at 10:30pm I changed my pad and thought maybe I should just go to bed.  I did and woke up at my normal 330am to go pee, and this time it was a prune juice looking gush of fluid and by then I knew it had to be my water/something terribly wrong.  I called dr and went to the hospital for an u/s where they discovered most of the amniotic fluid was gone.  Down to 5cm's - 2 pockets.  BUT, baby had a good, strong heartbeat @ 150bpm.  It wasn't moving when it was previously VERY active.  I was then admitted to the hospital on a 24 hr "labor watch."  Put in an IV, only allowed up for bathroom.  My amnisure test was positive, but all other tests normal - I didn't have an infection nor any signs of labor at all.  I was released on home bed rest the following morning.  I had a repeat u/s on Mar. 9 (one week later) and while I got my bump back, there wasn't much more fluid, (but no less either!!) Was measuring 5.38cm's of fluid and baby had a full bladder.. and was moving with a good heartbeat.  I go back again tomorrow (3-16-11) for another u/s and AFI check.  While I rest as much as possible, I am not on the couch all day, but I do drink 1.5-2 gallons of water, along with several glasses of milk/juice/gatorade each and every day and take it day by day.  I have seen so many positive stories of women with ZERO AFI's go on to have relatively healthy babies (with a NICU stay.)  Sadly there are several not so happy ending stories as well. So, I am thankful that I at least have a AFI of 5 even though it should be 12+.  Praying for a seal over and a healthy baby!  Will update after my appointment tomorrow afternoon!