17 Weeks

I am going to start doing updates on Friday’s so that I am posting about my most recent weekly appointments scheduled through 24 weeks.

What’s Will up to? His skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — his lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. He weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and he's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. He can move his joints, and his sweat glands are starting to develop. There were a couple of days that Will’s movement was reduced but the last couple days, he’s been a monkey. He is the most active after I eat and when I listen to loud music.

Appointment: On 1.27.12 the ultrasound showed that my cervix is completely closed. There is still a little funneling but it might remain that way for the rest of my pregnancy. I will need to remain on bed rest until I am at least 24 weeks. We will reevaluate at that time if I will need to remain on full bed rest or if I can go on partial bed rest. I am praising God for this wonderful news! My next appointment is on Thursday for the anatomy scan. If you have any ideas of things for me to do while on bed rest, please post a comment!

Cravings: Bomb-Pops!

Highlights: Wonderful home cooked meals from my mom and SIL! I was worried I would be eating pizza and corn dogs with Chris on duty, but those special ladies came to the rescue. I wonder if they will continue to help us out for the next 5-6 weeks?! Another highlight was getting out of the house on Friday for my appointments and lunch with my SIL. It felt good to do my hair and makeup for the first time in a week!

My body: Not much has changed since last week, I am up 9 pounds total and my tummy has grown 9” total.

Thank you all for your love, support and prayers! I felt so much at peace all week!

For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

Psalm 91:11

Cervical Cerclage & Bed Rest

On Friday, I went in for my 17 week cervical check and Progesterone shot. Dr. L was very quiet and I knew something wasn't right within 10 seconds. Dr. L had me put some pressure on my tummy by pushing down on the baby to watch my cervix. He noticed it looked more U or Y shaped which generally means thinning is starting. After chatting with me for a minute, he wanted me to see the perinatologist for a second opinion but thought that I might not be able to get in until the following week. He went to check to see when I could get in and my nurse Linda gave me my shot. Dr. L. joined me again and with big smile said, I've got great news. They are fitting you in at 12:15 and it's with my favorite Dr, Jessica. I was so relieved to hear this news...

I went home to wrap up a few things at work and called Chris to see if he could meet me at the next appointment. Then, I was off to get there plenty early in case they could get me in early. I prayed the entire way there and for the hour I sat in the waiting room. I was a little nervous but more thankful to be at the hospital if I needed anything and with a specialist soon to be calling my name.

Chris made it just in time to see the ultrasound. Will was moving all around, good blood flow and strong heart so he wasn't feeling any stress. I was thankful for that. Chris was smiling from ear to ear, this was his first u/s with this pregnancy. The u/s tech said that my cervix looked ok and it wasn't bad but of course, the Dr. would confirm what the next steps are. I was so happy to see the Dr. when she came in, it was the same Dr. I had talked with after my 12 week NT scan and I loved her! She basically gave Chris and I two options, the first one was to monitor closely which meant coming back on Monday for a follow up u/s and the second option was a  Cervical Cerclage. Of course there were risks with both. She left Chris and I to discuss.

When the Dr returned, we were leaning toward coming back on Monday but we didn't have peace with that decision. I told her that we didn't know which to do but told her how I have prayed for the Holy Spirit to work through her and that if she had a gut feeling, to let us know because we were so torn.  She paused, closed her eyes and then she asked if she could do an internal check. After hearing the risks, I immediately said "yes, please do", I knew it was the answer we needed from the Holy Spirit. 

After the exam, she indicated that we would need to do the procedure right away, I was dilated to a 1 and lost a lot of cervical mucus. The nurses and Dr.'s went to work quickly prepping me, drawing blood, etc.

I had a spinal block and the procedure was underway. The first stitch was in but Dr. wanted to add a second for good measure but I started to bleed. After evaluating, she decided to remove the second stitch and keep me overnight for observation. 

Once I got checked in to my room, the Dr. visited and let me know that the entire day clearly had God's hand involved, and that if I hadn't had the procedure done on Friday, that I may not have made it to Monday. 

I am so thankful and grateful for everything God has given me, especially another day to be pregnant and carrying our little boy, Will. God is so amazing and I pray that you invite Him to be involved in your life so that He can protect and guide you through the good times and the hard ones too.

I go back on Friday for a check-up. Hopefully my cervix will be closed and bed rest lifted. I am on day 3 of bed rest and this is very hard. I am fortunate enough to be able to work from home while on bed rest. I have an awesome supervisor and manager.

16 Weeks

It’s a BOY! We are so excited for our little boy, Willis Joseph.  

What’s Will up to? He is around 4.5 inches long (crown to rump) and weighs in around 3 ounces. He is about the size of an avocado. By week 16, his body is doing more to support itself. His kidneys function and produce urine that then passes through the umbilical cord. Within his stomach, bile is secreted, although he relies on me for all of his nutrients. His appearance changes as his scalp hair grows and may even have color. His developing facial muscles make it possible for him to open and close his mouth, maybe even give us a smile or two.

Appointment: 1.13.12 – 16 week appt with Dr. L & the beginning of our 8 weeks of ultrasounds to monitor my cervix. The ultrasound went great, my cervix looked perfect and we were able to take a look and found out we are having a little BOY! Chris wasn’t at the appointment but Dr. L allowed me to record the ultrasound. He also suggested that I do progesterone shots through 36 weeks as an extra precaution. We also did the Triple Screen and all results came back with great numbers. 

Announcing to Chris: We got our favorite Chinese takeout from a place in town and I played the video from the ultrasound for Chris. We are both so happy and excited to have a son!

Cravings: Milk, I think I drank 4 gallons myself this week!

Highlights: Finding out about our little BOY and a good report from Dr. L!  

My body: I am feeling great! Not much has changed since last week, I am up 9 pounds total and my tummy has grown 9” total.

Your children and your crops will be blessed. The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed.

Deuteronomy 28:4

15 Weeks

Our Baby: Baby is the size of a Naval Orange (4 inches, 2.5 ounces). He/she's squirming a ton! They might even be hiccuping in there. He/she's making lots of progress: joints and limbs can all move now. I hope to see all of this going on during our next appointment.

Cravings: Fruit and peanut butter  

Highlights: I have been feeling our little peanut quite a bit this week!  

Symptoms: I feel GREAT!

My body: I am up 9 pounds total and my tummy has grown 9” total - 2” since last week!

He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Ephesians 4:16

14 Weeks

Our Baby: Baby is the size of a Lemon (3.4 inches, 1.5 ounces). He/she is probably sucking his thumb and wiggling their toes in there! Kidneys are making urine, and the liver and spleen are doing their jobs, too. Baby is growing lanugo, a thin, peach-fuzz-like hair, all over the body which will help keep them warm!

Appointment: 12.30.11, I went to see Dr. L as a follow up, he would like to do weekly ultrasounds for 8 weeks starting at 16 weeks. It will be interesting to see our little one is still measuring ahead of schedule and if my estimated due date will be changed.

Cravings: None really... except Friday at work – I really wanted a Royal Red Burger from Red Robin so two of my favorite ladies from work accompanied me!

Highlights: I am almost positive that I felt the baby kick several times on New Year’s Eve but nothing since. I turned another year older. Finding out we will be having weekly ultrasounds, I can’t wait to see out little one on the big screen for 8 weeks in a row starting next week. And that we might be finding out if we’re having a BOY or GIRL already next week!!

Symptoms: I am feeling great this week! I made it until 9 or 10 every night this week and only had one headache!

My body: I am up 8 pounds total (ouch – 2 pounds a week for the last 2… glad the Holidays are over) and still at 6” on my tummy!

Children are a gift from the Lord;  they are a reward from him.

Psalm 127:3