28 weeks and big updates

Okay, so it's a couple of days late, sue me. I'm pregnant and still suffering from Dory brain, lol.

This weeks belly pic... I'm still only down 14 lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight but considering I am measuring a week ahead on fundal height and have plenty of amniotic fluid I've probably technically "lost" more than the scale shows. Anyhow, the shirt looks baggy on me, but is the same size as the others I have.

Not the best pic, maybe I'll try to snap another one. The flash really puts a shadow on things. Oops.

OB appointment today. Still at 1cm dilated, however, my cervix is softening and 75% effaced. Although I think is about normal for me and pregnancy. Still getting 17P, but thankfully I've had just one nurse the past 3 times and she knows how to give the shot.

As for my belated update on last weeks appointments I'll give the bullet points as I can remember them. 4 appointments in one day is a LOT and a LOT of information lol

Fetal Echo cardiogram and meeting with the Pediatric Cardiologist Dr. Rios:

• Bella's heart is looking fairly good considering. She still has the hypo-plastic right ventricle.
• Her aortic arch is looking great, which is great news
• All of her arteries, veins and valves aside from the Tricuspid are doing great
• Her weight was estimated at 2lbs 3 oz., give or take 5 oz. 
• She was measuring right on track with her due date

Meeting with the pediatric cardiac surgeon:

• Dr. Moga was very straight forward, nice guy, positive attitude.
• In light of the most recent echo cardiogram he feels we might be able to skip the first surgery
• When Bella is born she will get an injection (I believe) of prostoglandins to keep the bypass tube that generally closes at birth open, at least initially. This may enable us to skip the first surgery.
• Assuming I carry her to term she should only have a 1 - 3 week hospital stay, depending on whether they do the stage one or not.
• Her chances of survival over all are greatly increased with the good news from the latest echo. She went from having a 70% chance of making it to the age of 5 to having a 93% chance of making it to the age of 5.

Meeting with the Head NICU Dr. Brasil:

• He would like me to undergo an amnio to test Bella's chromosome 22 for any signs of DiGeorge Syndrome  which would impact her ability to fight infection. I believe doing this proactively while I am still carrying her is a great idea and gives her that much more of a chance once she's born.
• There will be 4 - 5 people from the NICU team present at Bella's birth whether she is term or not, due to her heart condition.
• There is a good chance I will be able to hold her after birth especially if she does well on her APGARs. If this is the case I will also be able to put her to breast right away. (This is what I am hoping for.)
• We can dress her and hold her whenever possible while she's in NICU, although visitation rules tend to be a bit strict, it's still possible.
• I can room in or for a fairly small fee stay at the Ronald McDonald house that is right off the NICU in the same building depending on availability.

Abbott Birthing Center:

• Because of Bella's condition I have to deliver in an OR, whether I am having her natural or not. 
• If she is born VBAC I can have 2 people with me, if she is c-section I can have only one.
• Once I get the "go ahead" to visit Bella I am free to go as long as I pop in now and again for check ups until I am released. 
• Despite all the possible issues I still get to create and follow my own birth plan as allowed by Bella's condition and my own. I am making out multiples for different situations.
• The Perinatal group will be delivering despite my having an OB in addition. 

Whew. I think that is it for updates as far as I know. Certainly as far as I can remember for now. I am so re-assured by the news from the appointments and the fact that I have made it from 22 weeks when I first went into PTL to 28 weeks where I am now. I've carried her 6 weeks closer to our goal and despite being completely miserable on bedrest the latest fFN test from today was again negative which means I *should* be able to get at least another 2 weeks further. 

26 week Dr appt. (kind of long)

I got to see Dr. Schoel today who was VERY pleased I am still pregnant and out of the hospital. She was the one who had discovered my PTL at Mercy and shipped me right to Abbott. She is to be the Doc I see now until I switch over to the Perinatal Clinic exclusively.

She preformed another Ffn test today, which should tell us if I am at risk of going into PTL again in the next two weeks. Thus far, they've been pretty accurate for me, although I am still awaiting today's test results. She did a cervix check I am 1cm dilated and 50% effaced, which is not too much worse than what I was before. Especially when you consider the number of L&D trips I have had since leaving the hospital.

Oooh and the exciting part was, I asked her about maybe running a few neglected errands today and she gave me the go ahead! So, I got my hair cut which I desperately needed, grabbed just a couple of summer maternity things because I was sweating my bum off today and got one book that I cannot seem to find anywhere in ebook format but have been wanting to re-read for a loooooong time! (I love Borders, I always have a coupon on my phone for at least 33% off!)

It felt great to be out and about and accomplish a few of the things on my list of things that I need to do. At the same time I quickly realized how much stamina I've lost in even just this first month of bedrest. I also got the "official" okay to chill in a recliner in addition to the bed as long as I actually recline, feet up and all. The idea of that excites me to no end, now if only I had a recliner. ::sigh:: lol

I'll make yet another post when I have the Ffn results later and catch up on other things that had fallen by the bedside.

Oh and I am measuring ahead still, my tummy measured 27 weeks instead of the 26 weeks that I am. :) Hopefully that means my sweet little one is packing on some pounds too. (I am still 14 lbs below pre-pregnancy weight.)

17p week 5 and I gained almost a pound!

Another NEW nurse, however this one was a pincher, not a jabber. So, score one point for her. When she pinched I even made sure to praise her lol. Granted I will probably never see her again, but, the next woman will appreciate it.

The good news is (in my opinion) I am up .7 of a lb since last week. Granted I had to eat a lot more to get there... and I don't think I want to continue that, but I think it's reassuring that I *can* actually gain weight. I think now if I continue to lose it wont be quite so scary for me.

Anyhow, only 11 more injections, unless the peri decides against them. I believe the plan is to stop them around 34 weeks and the goal is to have baby right around 36 - 37 weeks. Then again with the HRHS I might find out differently, but I am somehow doubting that.

17p week 5 and 16 lbs of weight lost...

A new nurse today, but she was good as well. Must have just been the one nurse the other day. Icing my bum now, which thus far has worked to keep the swelling down in previous weeks. We'll see how side effects go this week. It seems I am adjusting to them slowly but surely.

The big news though is I have lost 6 lbs of weight this week alone, which now puts me at 16 lbs below my pre-pregnancy weight. I am finding this more and more disconcerting. I actually requested to get on the scale today, which as any woman knows, that just doesn't happen. Since the OB last week was not worried about my weight loss I am going to see if I can get into the Peri again I think. 10 lbs was one thing, when it was 13 I started to worry a bit, but now at 16 lbs, 6 of which are in the past 7 days? Yeah I am worrying a bit to say the least.

17p week 4, Peanut's Heart and other things.

Okay, since this morning started off with "Put your elbows on the table" which I now laugh when I hear... I'll start my update there. I had the same nurse as last week, thankfully, she is great with the injection. It didn't even hurt and I am icing it as I write this to prevent swelling as instructed. We'll see if I get sleepy soon. I am hoping these side effects are going to taper off as my body adjusts to the extra progesterone.

Next on the list, Peanut's Nana Pat sent me a pic this morning of the new blanket she picked up for my precious sweet pea. It is SO cute and looks as soft as it is cute! I can't wait to get my hands on it to feel lol! (Yeah, I am a goofball, it's a coping thing.) Might as well post that picture here! I am full of good ideas this morning...

Peanut's new blanket! <3 Nana <3

The next thing I did is ask someone I know, who was born with and has thrived despite heart problems, to come over and talk with me today. I am hoping her peppy, spitfire self can help give me some perspective and some hope for this little one. Maybe I am worrying too much, but, is there really such a thing when it comes to something with so much potential to be utterly life altering? Especially with so many unknowns.

And, last but not least, on the subject of unknowns. I put a call into the Peri's office this morning. I asked to speak with either the Peri or the genetic counselor about the news from yesterday. I realize that from the moment the Peri walked in and said "There is an issue with your baby's heart." I went into survival mode and glossed over, I tried to listen, I looked at what he showed us... but I am still so unsure. While my goal in this is to find out more and feel better and more hopeful with the situation... I know there is a chance it could go the other way. But on the 50/50 odds I am giving the news, I am hoping it helps me cope with this better and be able to better maintain my sanity. The less anxious I am, the better it is for the baby. Right?

So, I think that is my update so far. If/when I hear back from the Peri's office.. I hope to post some more complete and hopeful news here on Peanut's heart.

Week 3 of 17p

I just got home and I'm icing my bum. We've gone full circle, left cheek, right cheek and today was back to left. This nurse thankfully wasn't an idiot and the shot once again didn't hurt. (Last week the nurse needed a swift kick, that I didn't give. :p) 3 shots, 3 different nurses. I wonder how long until I make the full nurse rotation as well.

This is so very true.

All of this in hopes that I can carry past 35 weeks, when Emma was born, to between 36 and 37 weeks when they plan to let me have my sweet little Peanut. Side effects and all *there are supposed to be none... HA!* are so worth it. I love my Peanut! Now where's the Colace and my bed? ::yawn::

17p... so far. Pt. 2

The nurse today was brutal. Last weeks shot, nothing, didn't hurt at all. Today's nurse... OUCH! I wanted to kick her so hard! I came home and iced the spot for a good 30 minutes and took Tylenol. It STILL hurts.

It would be nice if you could pick the nurse who gives you the shot. I'd keep going with the one I had last week. Oh well, it's good for the little one.

17p... so far.

I feel like I went back to the beginning of the pregnancy. I am horribly tired, very moody, mostly irritable.. and just feel BLAH.

I am sincerely hoping that these side effects go away soon. I hate feeling like this. Don't get me wrong, despite the side effects I plan to continue with the injections to make sure I keep this little one in as long as I can. Pregnancy is just the beginning and if it means that I suffer a bit to ensure her health, I say it's well worth it.

Hopefully those around me that have to deal with me and my side effects agree. :( I will say I am sorry in advance. I don't mean to be jumpy, crabby and sensitive. I promise I am trying to reign in the emotions and hormones. <3

As for Ava... grow baby grow. Mommy loves you so much!

The first of many...

Today I began the wonderful adventure of the 17p injection. I go to the clinic once weekly 8:30am, for the next... 19 weeks I believe... maybe 18 or 20. I'll find out at my next OB appointment *or* my Peri appointment. Or both.

So, 28 finger pokes a week, assuming I get a good poke the first time. 7 insulin injections a week. 1 17p injection a week. That's 36 needles going into my skin a week. Yikes. But there is no doubt that I will do what is needed to help grow this little miss as happy and healthy as I possibly can. I love her so much already.

So, that's my update for today. Oh and the goal of the 17p shots if I haven't said so before, is to keep me from going into preterm labor. I was lucky to make it to 35 weeks with Emma and while I know they wont let me go past 38 weeks with this pregnancy, I still want to keep this little one safe and warm until she's ready.

A day early... but

15 weeks! Yay!

I can't believe how the time is flying by. They wont let me carry past 38 weeks with the GD, so we will be greeting this precious little baby in 22 or 23 weeks. (Assuming I carry to term, which will be the purpose of the 17P shots they plan to start next week.)  Unbelievable.

With my schedule being as crazy as it is, I thought I'd take the photo and heartbeat today knowing one day shouldn't make that big a difference. The HB is going along at a steady 138 bpm and I seemingly never stop growing. lol