Pregnancy Week 22
We went to the doctor again on Wednesday and everything looked good. Dr. McKenna requested that my mom and Loren be there with me to discuss the rest of pregnancy and make some decisions, so we really got a good game plan for the next 16 weeks. Although we can't foresee the future or put limits on God, it's most logical to break it down into two categories.
PRETERM BIRTH: We'll start monitoring twice a week starting at 24 weeks. On Tuesdays I'll have an ultrasound and non stress test, on Fridays I'll have a doctor appointment and non-stress test. If at any point we start seeing problems (such as decreased heartrate, movement, or amniotic fluid), I'll most likely be admitted to Holy Family for monitoring. If we get to the point of needing to deliver, I'd be transferred to Sacred Heart and the baby would be delivered by c-section, unless it was emergent, and then I'd deliver at Holy Family and the baby would be airlifted to Sacred Heart. My doctor's office is at Holy Family, and the only doctors in labor and delivery are board certified OBs (no residents!) so that is where he wants me, and where we feel most comfortable.
FULL TERM BIRTH: Along with checking baby, the ultrasounds will also be monitoring my placenta. Basically, with the uterine scar from the previous c-section and my placenta right on top of it, I have about a one in three chance of getting placenta accreta, where the placenta grows into, and sometimes through, the uterus. If there are signs this is happening, I'll probably get an MRI to look further. If it is obvious that this has happened, I'll deliver by c-section, and more than likely have a hysterectomy. If they are unsure, I'll probably deliver normally, but have an epidural so that if there are complications then the doctor can get in very quickly. When your uterus starts to bleed (like it did when I had Abby) you usually lose a liter of blood a minute. The human body only has seven liters of blood in it, so you start to get a feel for the urgency of the situation. He has talked about having me deliver in an operating room, even if it's not a c-section, just to buy a little more time if there are complications. Right now, we're just waiting to ask more questions regarding a full term birth until we make it that far. But you can mark your calendars! He said we'll probably induce at 38 weeks and not push things any farther than that, which gives us a "last possible day" of January 16th!
So, things really are looking good right now. I'll be 23 weeks on Monday, which for us is a HUGE milestone! It marks the point at which a baby is delivered and goes to intensive care if problems arise. So as of next week, something can be done if our little girl starts having problems! (I know, not the news most parents get excited about, but our standards have shifted a bit.) We will also be meeting with a neonatologist (specialist with preemies) sometime soon to develop a relationship and get an idea of what to expect, should baby be born early.
And one more quick praise. With where the placenta lies, it pretty much covers all the nerves that allow you to feel the baby move. I was resigning myself to only feeling a few flutters from baby this pregnancy. Well, this week we hit a turning point, because now all of us can feel her moving in there. It's just another little love letter from the Lord.
I know I continue to say this, but thank you so much for your prayers. We know it is God alone that wills this little girl's heart to continue to beat, and He who is knitting her in my womb. Please continue to lift us up as we press on through the last weeks of this journey. We love you all, and are incredibly blessed to have so many people in our lives to love and support us.
Hope came home
Home to me today
And fear has run
The other way
Words are weak
They don't know how to say
"You know I still believe in you."
And should my dreams fall through
I will be safe with you
So with every breath I can breathe
I'll sing about how you love me
I'll sing about how you love me.
Bebo Norman
PRETERM BIRTH: We'll start monitoring twice a week starting at 24 weeks. On Tuesdays I'll have an ultrasound and non stress test, on Fridays I'll have a doctor appointment and non-stress test. If at any point we start seeing problems (such as decreased heartrate, movement, or amniotic fluid), I'll most likely be admitted to Holy Family for monitoring. If we get to the point of needing to deliver, I'd be transferred to Sacred Heart and the baby would be delivered by c-section, unless it was emergent, and then I'd deliver at Holy Family and the baby would be airlifted to Sacred Heart. My doctor's office is at Holy Family, and the only doctors in labor and delivery are board certified OBs (no residents!) so that is where he wants me, and where we feel most comfortable.
FULL TERM BIRTH: Along with checking baby, the ultrasounds will also be monitoring my placenta. Basically, with the uterine scar from the previous c-section and my placenta right on top of it, I have about a one in three chance of getting placenta accreta, where the placenta grows into, and sometimes through, the uterus. If there are signs this is happening, I'll probably get an MRI to look further. If it is obvious that this has happened, I'll deliver by c-section, and more than likely have a hysterectomy. If they are unsure, I'll probably deliver normally, but have an epidural so that if there are complications then the doctor can get in very quickly. When your uterus starts to bleed (like it did when I had Abby) you usually lose a liter of blood a minute. The human body only has seven liters of blood in it, so you start to get a feel for the urgency of the situation. He has talked about having me deliver in an operating room, even if it's not a c-section, just to buy a little more time if there are complications. Right now, we're just waiting to ask more questions regarding a full term birth until we make it that far. But you can mark your calendars! He said we'll probably induce at 38 weeks and not push things any farther than that, which gives us a "last possible day" of January 16th!
So, things really are looking good right now. I'll be 23 weeks on Monday, which for us is a HUGE milestone! It marks the point at which a baby is delivered and goes to intensive care if problems arise. So as of next week, something can be done if our little girl starts having problems! (I know, not the news most parents get excited about, but our standards have shifted a bit.) We will also be meeting with a neonatologist (specialist with preemies) sometime soon to develop a relationship and get an idea of what to expect, should baby be born early.
And one more quick praise. With where the placenta lies, it pretty much covers all the nerves that allow you to feel the baby move. I was resigning myself to only feeling a few flutters from baby this pregnancy. Well, this week we hit a turning point, because now all of us can feel her moving in there. It's just another little love letter from the Lord.
I know I continue to say this, but thank you so much for your prayers. We know it is God alone that wills this little girl's heart to continue to beat, and He who is knitting her in my womb. Please continue to lift us up as we press on through the last weeks of this journey. We love you all, and are incredibly blessed to have so many people in our lives to love and support us.
Hope came home
Home to me today
And fear has run
The other way
Words are weak
They don't know how to say
"You know I still believe in you."
And should my dreams fall through
I will be safe with you
So with every breath I can breathe
I'll sing about how you love me
I'll sing about how you love me.
Bebo Norman
posted by The Bakers at 7:49 AM
1 Comments:
Wow sister...amazing! The LORD is so good and His love letters to us are so personable and sweet! Continued prayer for strength, peace and faith in Him that moves mountains...we love you Baker family!!!
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