For this child I prayed...

Life is a roller-coaster (see previous post).  So why did I end up on bed rest?  Obviously I wasn't finished.  

In October (2014)  Things were going really well in our lives.  I wasn't working (that's a whole different story--but long story short...I was, waaaaaay less stressed) and we were applying for jobs in order to move out of New Mexico.  Things were just humming and moving along (I was feeling comfortable with the roller-coaster).

Scott and I had just participated in the branch Halloween trunk or treat (see picture above). I had been complaining to Scott about some physical changes I was going through, things that weren't 'normal' for me.  He later told me that with all of my complaining, he thought I might be pregnant, but didn't dare to tell me because he thought I would get upset...which in retrospect I probably would have.  :)

In early November I woke up in the middle of the night and thought I should just take a pregnancy test to 'see' if I was pregnant.  I psyched myself out of this because there was NO WAY I could be pregnant-and I didn't want to get disappointed by seeing ANOTHER negative pregnancy test..  Nothing else had worked for us.  Several days later, I again thought I should 'just see' if I was pregnant.  I dug up a pregnancy test, which came back positive.  I thought there was some mistake so I sped down to Wal-Mart and bought 5 more different types of pregnancy tests.  I took all 5 tests-to find that all 5 came back positive.  What the what???

I thought there must be some kind of mistake.  I was completely surprised.  I tried to keep myself busy until Scott came home for lunch.  As soon as he came through the door, I said, 'we have a problem.'  Yup, that's how I told him I was pregnant.  Scott looked like he had swallowed something sour and didn't say much of anything.  Later that evening he said, 'thanks for saving me some money'-inferring that we didn't have to do IVF.  What a relief!!!

I arranged to see the doctor and was told at that first appointment that I was 8 weeks pregnant.  At that appointment, they suggested that I do the first trimester screen at 12 weeks-my next appointment.  The 1st trimester screen is an elective procedure, but as we had such a difficult time getting pregnant, the doctor thought it might be useful for us.  The first trimester screen (Nuchal Translucency Screen-NIT) is a noninvasive evaluation that combines a maternal blood screening test with an ultrasound evaluation of the fetus to identify risk for specific chromosomal abnormalities including Down Syndrome Trisomy 21 and Trisomy 18.  There are other trisomy's that it tests for, but those babies either die in utero and/or are born and only live for hours or a few days, therefore trisomy 13 is not a genetic defect that is passed on.  

We were so excited to be pregnant, we announced early-at 11 weeks.  There is always a risk to announcing a pregnancy without getting into the 2nd trimester.  What if there is a miscarriage?  Part of me felt like I waited this long,  and I was so excited to shout it from the roof tops that I couldn't wait.  This was BIG news!!!  I felt that if something went wrong, I would likely need support and understanding.  

Our announcement...

1 Samuel 1:27 reads: 'I prayed for this child and the lord has granted me what I asked of him.'  This is true for us.  

At my 12 week appointment, I was told that through the ultrasound that everything looked 'normal.'  The neck of the baby wasn't thick, the femur looked to be of average length--all visual indicators looked at in the screening ultrasound to determine if there is risk of a genetic problem.  When I met with the doctor he said all my early pregnancy screens looked good. This meant both myself and the baby were looking good.   This was a HUGE relief-as I think just hearing your baby is healthy always is-but as we were worried about possible genetic problems, it was an even greater relief to think that by looking at the baby's measurements, she seemed to be doing well.  Because we were moving, I didn't schedule any further appointments with the New Mexico OBGYN team-instead scheduling with a doctor in Boise.  I went home that day thinking everything was fine.

A week and a half later I got a phone call from the New Mexico OBGYN team stating that Dr. Johnson was out of town, but that I needed to meet with a doctor to review the results of the first trimester screen.  The lady on the phone was very 'cryptic' and I became alarmed because I thought I didn't have to do anything more with the New Mexico team.  I didn't understand why I needed to go in and meet with someone, I was moving out of New Mexico.  Additionally the movers were scheduled to come the day of the appointment that they wanted to do for me, and I wasn't sure what to do.

Luckily as in all things, the movers called and asked to come a different day and I was able to make the OBGYN appointment. I also had some REALLY great friends in New Mexico and my 'surrogate mom' (Linda Allen) went with me to the first trimester screen appointment and then the unexpected appointment that I had all of a sudden had to go to.  I have to say that it was a loooong two days between when I got the initial call and when they could get me in. It was an even longer drive to Las Cruces (which was 1 1/2 hours from our house).  I met with the doctor (one I had never met before) who indicated that the screen showed I had a 1:16 chance of having a down syndrome baby.  This is a high percentage, given my age and given the formula they use to determine the ratios.  I walked out of that appointment reeling!  We might have a down syndrome baby?  There are two ways to look at this, i.e. the 1 in 16 with me being the 1.  Or, that of the 16, 15 wouldn't have a down syndrome baby. While I tried to be optimistic, I was only focused on me being the 1 in 16.  I was told that if I were to have stayed in New Mexico I would have been referred to a high risk OBGYN team, and they would have done the quad screen test and possible amniocentesis.  

So, now I am leaving the doctors that have been caring for me to meet a doctor in a different state who knows nothing about me.  I was scheduled to see Dr. Lovelace at 16 weeks (Jan 15).  Boy, did we drop a bomb on him during that first appointment.  He hadn't received all of my medical record, therefore had no idea about the NIT and it's results.  He ordered a quad screen and explained that just as in New Mexico, based on those results would determine what would happen next.  I was really impressed with Dr. Lovelace.  Despite us dropping the bomb, he spent a great deal of time with us, doing an ultrasound, gathered a lot of information and didn't seem at all alarmed in 'dealing' with me.  

The next week and a half was really long.  Scott and I were both really stressed about the possible results of the quad screen.  I think we are like most parents, we wanted a 'normal' healthy baby.  While we would have been happy with a down syndrome baby, they come with a lot of extra challenges that we were feeling overwhelmed and justifiably concerned about.  I received the call from the nurse who stated that the screen came back negative-no markers for down syndrome or other genetic problems and we were having a girl!  What a RELIEF!!!  I sat and cried for a long time as I was just so grateful that we had a clear answer.  The nurse also said at that point that Dr. Lovelace wanted to see me before our 20 week appointment.  This raised all kinds of panic as I was now having another 'unscheduled' appointment.

In meeting with Dr. Lovelace the following week, he explained he had some concerns about my blood pressure. He said in reviewing the chart, he found that my blood pressure was 'all over the place.'  But given my week in pregnancy, it should be at its lowest point, not where I was measuring at. He started me on a medication to assist with this and explained that the medication while old and somewhat obsolete would be fine for the baby and me.  So, I started medication.  

We announced we were having a girl at 18 weeks.  This is the only 'perk' to the quad screen as it is a genetic test, it also can tell the gender of the baby.  It was really fun to share this with my mom/dad.   

The 20 (Feb 12) week appointment went off without a hitch.  No problems, nothing crazy! We were now finally getting excited about Petey joining our family.  Side note: since we found out I was pregnant, we have called this baby Petey.  Meaning, Petey the parasite. Her name was always said in love, but knowing it was a girl, finally not having much drama at an appointment...we were able to just be excited about being pregnant.  I was approved to work and I was able to go on our trip to Mexico.  VICTORY!!! The 24 week appointment (Mar 12) was also uneventful.  YEA!!!

At 25.2 weeks (Mar 19) I woke up in the morning to bleeding.  I debated about even calling the office because it wasn't much blood-it looked like an old period.  But, after looking at my paperwork thought I should be safe instead of sorry and called the office.  I was asked to come in and was told that my 4cm cervix had thinned to 1.3cm.  It was unclear if the blood was because of my cervix thinning (most likely) and/or if I had a tear in the placenta.  This came as a total shock to both Scott and I.  We were rushed from the doctors office to the hospital and began an IV, terbutaline to stop contractions, etc.  I was later told that I had prolapsing membranes (beaking) and that my cervix was irritated.  I had no idea what had caused this because despite a sharp pain in my side the night before this all happened, I was feeling fine.  Additionally Petey's heartbeat was tachycardic during her monitoring which was an additional cause for concern.  So, long story short, this is how I ended up on bed rest.

 A few days after admit to the hospital, another vaginal ultrasound was done and I wasn't as coned.  The doctor attributed this to the fact that I wasn't putting as much pressure on my cervix and was pleased with the results of bed rest.  At this point, I have been in the hospital 1 week and 4 days.  I am hoping that with another good vaginal screen that as of tomorrow (Mar 31) 1 week and 5 days, I will be able to go home.   I luckily have had no further bleeding and all the medications I am on have slowed down the contractions.  The doctor would like me to get to 28 weeks before Petey comes.  Each week she stays in is better for her and her development.  

We had a NICU doctor come and talk to us about risks associated with a premature delivery which brought up a lot of scary potential complications.  I am hoping we won't have to worry about any of those complications, but as it is difficult to tell how long Petey will stay in, its worth being educated on what the potential risks are.  We are super grateful for this baby and despite the little twists and turns she has taken us on, we will be so happy to have her here (which is hopefully later than sooner!)  While pregnancy definitely has not been easy, I wouldn't trade it for the world at this point as it was something I thought I would never be able to experience for myself.  

Here's my obligatory 'belly shot.'  I really need to do another one.  It took a really long time for me to even show.  I am hoping I stay REALLY small.  In all reality, this is the first time I have been able to lose weight in years.  Thank you Petey!