To Diane's Pregnancy Journal, Page Three!
January 5th, 2000
Happy New Year! (A little late!) :) Well, I had an interesting day yesterday! I went in for another appointment, and while I was there, the doctor did an exam. She said my cervix was way too soft to be 24 or 25 weeks along. I was also experiencing contractions and had a little bit of blood. So, the doctor sent me down to the hospital to the labor and delivery section. Once there, they hooked me up to some machines to see how strong my contractions were, and also did an ultrasound to see if my cervix was dilating from the inside. I stayed there for about 3 1/2 hours. I was terrified! I was so scared the baby was coming way too soon. Thankfully, I wasn't dilated! But my cervix was very soft and shorter than it should be. So, they sent me home and told me to "take it easy." Hmmmmm...that could be hard since I have to take care of my other two kids! But I'm trying. I'm still having contractions, but they're not very strong. Hopefully they're just Braxton-Hicks. If I see any more blood, I'm supposed to go to the ER. I go back in Tuesday to see what's happening. The doctor said after 26 weeks, the baby has about a 50% chance of surviving if he were to be born. After 30 weeks, the chances are much better. I just pray that I can make it to 30 weeks.
January 6th, 2000
I forgot to mention yesterday that at my ultrasound, the doctor mentioned that our baby boy is almost 2 weeks ahead of development. So, that is good news! If he is born early, he will have that going for him. :) Also, I want to thank our good friends Lynnie and Larry for putting us on the prayer chain at church. Thank-you so much! We know first hand the power of prayer! This baby was a miracle from the beginning (with only a 4% chance of even conceiving him!) and we have faith that God will take care of him. Thank you everyone for your prayers and well-wishes! :)
I scanned another ultrasound picture of our baby boy! It's a cute little peek at his face. Would you like to see it? Click here!
January 12th, 2000
Yesterday's appointment went pretty well. The contractions are still happening, but the doctor doesn't think they're strong enough to change my cervix anymore or to cause any dilation. So, that's good. The baby's heartbeat is nice and strong and fast still. (Between 150 and 160!) I'm still supposed to "take it easy" and "stay off my feet as much as possible." Also I go and see a specialist on Friday just to confirm what my OB has told me. Hopefully this specialist can give me more ideas and/or medicine to help control the pain. I still have the cramping pretty badly, especially toward the end of the day and night. So we'll see. The good news is that this baby is staying put for now!! I haven't dilated since my last visit and the cervix hasn't changed anymore. We're very relieved about that! :) I'll update more after I see the specialist.
January 17th, 2000
Well, I saw the specialist on Friday. He was very surprised that my regular OB wasn't doing more to stop the contractions. He put me on a medication called Nifedipine. It's actually a drug used to treat high blood pressure in non-pregnant patients. But it's also used now for premature labor. Since I've been taking it, I've really noticed that my contractions and cramping are stopping! But I've also noticed some side effects. My feet and hands are swelling pretty badly. And my legs really ache. Also I get a headache every evening. He told me when he prescribed the medicine, that I would probably get headaches, because I have really low blood pressure (even lower when I'm pregnant) and since this medicine lowers the blood pressure even more, I might get dizzy and/or have headaches. I have a call out to him today to call me back about the other side effects. Also, the doctor said I really need to rest more. I need to stop going up and down the stairs and stop picking up the kids. So, we're looking into hiring someone to come in and help me with he kids. Also, we hired someone to come in and clean the house. (I could get used to this! LOL!!) Anyway, that's about it. I go back to see this specialist Wednesday.
January 22nd, 2000
Wednesday's appointment was kind of disappointing. We found out that our insurance doesn't cover the specialist I've been seeing and also doesn't cover the hospital where he delivers. :( So, unless we can get that overturned (we're writing TONS of letters and making phone call after phone call) we have to go back to my regular OB. I have an appointment with her on Wednesday. Anyway, the specialist wants me to keep on the drug in spite of the side effects. It's really working to quiet down my uterus. And, the side effects are actually getting better. I've also been really trying to take it easy. I think with taking this drug and lowering my activity level, things are much better. I just hope this baby boy stays where he is! :)
January 26th, 2000
Things are going so much better! The drug is really working well. My contractions have pretty much stopped. (Thank God!) But I'm still taking it really easy. My doctor warned me not to get up and do too much just because I am feeling better. So, sometimes I have to force myself to sit down, but I do. :) My appointment went really well today. I took my OB glucose test. (That stuff that you have to drink is so icky!) I should have the results back soon. So, now we just wait! And hope this little guy is content to STAY PUT!! :)
P.S. Happy Anniversary to my best friend -- my wonderful husband of nine years! I love you! :)
February 9th, 2000
I had another appointment today. Everything is fine! I'm in my 30th week. Yeah!! This is the point the doctors really wanted the baby to get. If the baby were born today, he most likely would survive just fine with very few problems. He'd be in the neonatal intensive care for a long time, but he'd be just fine. :) So we're doing great! The doctor measured me and I'm right where I'm supposed to be. And the heartbeat is still fast! Also, my OB glucose test was good. My blood test came back showing that I am a little low on iron though, so I'm taking an iron pill every day now. So, I feel a LOT better about things. :) I'm getting a little antsy around the house, though. I want to get my daughter Lexi's room all done so that we can move her in there so the baby can have the nursery. I want it done early so Lexi can move in her new big girl room without feeling like she was "pushed" out of the nursery by the baby. I guess I'm getting my "nesting" feelings already! LOL! :)
February 14th 2000
Happy Valentine's Day! There's not too much to report. Things have been going along great!! I haven't had any contractions in a while. And I'm feeling pretty good! I've just been busy around the house getting ready for this little guy! Finally I can stop worrying and can start to enjoy the last part of my pregnancy! I'm getting excited for this little guy to arrive! He'll be here in 9 short weeks! (Hopefully not too much sooner.) I'll update again soon!
February 24th, 2000
I just got back from another appointment. The doctor was a little worried because my stomach measured less than it did last visit. So I have to go back next Friday for an ultrasound to make sure the baby is growing ok. I'm trying not to worry because my last ultrasound showed that the baby was almost 2 weeks ahead of development. He was a big guy! So, hopefully everything is ok. Also, she said I need to eat more calories and drink more water. (My urine had ketones it it again.) I don't see how I can drink any more water. --I drink at least 12 to 14 glasses a day! I'm ALWAYS thirsty! I even wake up in the middle of the night to drink water because I'm so thirsty! So I'll somehow increase my water intake. And eat more. Also, I'm having contractions again. My doctor says as long as I don't have more than 6 in one hour, or as long as they aren't regular at all, I'm ok. I'm just supposed to keep on the anti-labor medicine, and go along as usual. (Taking it very easy and staying off my feet, of course!) The good news is that this is my 32nd week! Every week, the chances are better and better that I'll deliver a big healthy baby boy! I'll update again after next Friday's ultrasound. :)
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"We're Expecting" graphic is a special gift from Camille of Country Graphics By Camille. Please do not take it! Thank you so much Camille!!