Pregnancy Update – 6 weeks

Wow what a crazy, stressful week it’s been. I haven’t shared the details here previously, and I won’t get too deep into it now, but I have a history of recurrent miscarriage. I had 5 miscarriages before I found out I was expect Joey in August of 2007. I was never given a reason why. It was a devastating time for me, when I wanted another child so badly. So I did the only thing I knew to do – I prayed. I prayed like crazy and went to the altar for prayer at church whenever I got the chance. I just knew that God wanted to bless us with another child, and in His time, it would happen.

When I found out I was expecting that August, I immediately called dozens of ObGyns. I told them all my long, heartbreaking story, hoping one of them would say something, anything to give me a glimmer of hope. That’s when I found the awesome Drs and nurses at Caring for WOmen’s Health. They agreed it was imperative that I come in right away to see what could be done to make sure I did not experience another loss.

Long story short, I ended up seeing an awesome CNM and she and her fellow physicians treated me for several possibilities. I was immediately started on once daily progesterone supplements, baby asprin, and twice daily injections of Heparin. Something in that medical cocktail did the trick, because 9 months later, I was holding a beautifully healthy baby boy in my arms.

When I found out I was expecting again a few weeks ago, I immediately called my previous CNM, only to learn that she and the NP had left the practice and joined another. So I called and made an appointment. I will get to go in for my first pre-natal visit tomorrow afternoon.

But this past Saturday, a terrible thing happened. I started spotting. I took it easy for a couple of days, and when it seemed to have stopped, i resumed my usual activities. At the end of the day, I was horrified to have gone to the restroom and see more bright red blood than I had seen several days before. The next morning, i called the dr’s office and spoke to the nurse, She told me to immediately call my midwife and tell her what was going on, so I did.

The poor lady, I ended up talking to her 4 different times throughout the day. She thought it would be a good idea to call in a prescription for the hormones I needed and get started on them right away. At one point, my bleeding got heavier and I was almost ready to go to the ER. Then it tapered off again. Since I wasn’t in any pain, and the bleeding wasn’t heavy (like my previous miscarriages), I decided to rest at home and wait it out.

Today I decided I couldn’t wait any longer. I was in bed for almost 24 hours, with an occasional trip to the kitchen or the restroom. The bleeding wasn’t stopping or slowing down. We called a friend to come stay with the kids and off to the ER we went. It was NOT the place I wanted to be, but I had to have some answers.

After spending 3 hours in the ER, and receiving the warmest, most professional care I have ever had from an Emergency room, I have my answers!

The bleeding is not being cause by an impending miscarriage. In fact, the baby is doing quite well, we even got to see it’s little heart fluttering away on the ultrasound screen! However, they did find the source of the bleeding – I have a small subchorionic hemorrhage. This is basically a blood clot that has formed between the uterine wall and the placenta. It can be dangerous, but 90% of all pregnancies with this condition go on to deliver healthy babies.

I am anxious to talk with my midwife tomorrow and find out if I will have to decrease my activities, or be on bedrest, until the hemorrhage resolves on it’s own. But for now, it feels so good to know that my little blessing is alive and well and that there is an explanation for the bleeding I am having.

I will make sure to keep posting updates as I learn more, but for now, I thought you may enjoy seeing baby #5 for the first time ever!

The arrow is pointing to where the little heart was beating!

 

The other bit of news is pretty shocking – there was a second sac found by the us tech, although at this time, there doesn’t appear to be anything inside. That may or may not change as things progress and the baby(s) have more time to grow and develop. I am too shocked and overwhelmed right now to even share with you how I am feeling about this possibillity, but I am very happy to know that I have at least one healthy lil embryo floating around!

Blessings,