Evan, Aidan, Bella & Sophia » May 2006 Journal Entries » AboutMyBaby - online baby scrapbooks, photo albums, videos, birth and pregnancy announcements

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Wed, May 31, 2006 10:30 AM
Today was my 26 week Cervical Ultrasound measurement. I am VERY happy with my appt. today. My cervix measures between 4.7 - 5.4 cm. long (depending on angle). Lori was SHOCKED!! By this time in my last pregnancy, my cervix was < 1.5 cm long (and 1 cm dilated). The news MADE my day!

My cervix is not funneling this week, either. 2 weeks ago, the funneling had started from the internal opening. Last week Lori explained I must have been having a contraction during that ultrasound, because he hasn't shown up since. What a relief.

Dr. Brady filled out all of my disability paperwork for my employer. I picked up everything today and mailed it in. I miss everyone at Prasco!!

I'm looking forward to continually receiving good news (and not progressively receiving bad news like during the last pregnancy). Keep the prayers coming!!!!!!!!!!

I did buy Izabella a couple of preemie outfits (they go up to 7 lbs), just in case.

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Tue, May 30, 2006 7:31 AM
Happy 18 Months Old, Evan & Aidan! Mommy and Daddy can't believe you are 1 1/2 years old!!! We love you!!!

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Thu, May 25, 2006 8:19 AM
25 WEEKS!
YOUR BABY
Your baby weighs just under 2 pounds (850g) and could possibly survive if delivered now. Your baby measures approximately 9.2 inches (23cm) from crown to rump.

sHe is growing fast and gaining weight now. hER skin is less transparent and is becoming opaque as fat builds up.

Your baby's heart is beating 120 to 160 beats per minute, as you have already heard at several doctor or midwife visits.

Until now, your baby's eyes have been sealed shut, but he reopens them this week. The eyes are almost fully formed and the retinas contain all the layers they will have when your baby is born. Your baby's eyes are blue right now, no matter the ethnic origin or eye-color of you and your partner since eyes do not acquire their final color until months after birth.

Your baby is lean right now, but is getting fatter all the time as fat is being deposited. Your baby's skin is getting thicker and paler and is becoming less red and wrinkled as more fat is deposited.

Your baby has eyebrows, eyelashes and fingernails, though all are short and need to grow more.

YOUR PREGNANT BODY
You feel definite movement now as your baby does gymnastic routines in your uterus. This may even cause you some pain under your ribs and in your lower abdomen as your baby now has some force. Lying on your side may help to alleviate this kind of pain.

You may have fluid retention, particularly in the facial area.

The top of your uterus is now between your bellybutton and your ribcage.

Your increasing size may cause increasing discomfort. You might be experiencing back pain, leg cramps, headaches and pressure around your pelvic area.

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Wed, May 24, 2006 10:30 AM
25 Week Cervical Ultrasound:
Today I received a little better news. Donna was my sonographer today and my cervix measures 4.5 - 4.7 cm. I was not funneling from the inside-out today (like I was last week). Donna said I was probably having a contraction last week, which caused my cervix to funnel during the ultrasound. Hopefully, the fact that I am on bedrest will keep me at this point for a long time.

Have a great Memorial Weekend.

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Tue, May 23, 2006 11:30 AM
24 Week Perinatology appt w/ Dr. Brady:
I'm officially on Bedrest. I had my appt. with Dr. Brady today and he asked me, "Now you have someone to take care of the boys all day while you are at home, right?" I said, "Yeah, my mom takes care of them while I'm at work." He said, "WHAT?! You're still working?!?!?!?!" I guess he didn't realize he had never put me on official bedrest, and I was avoiding the subject, as I didn't want to leave my job in a bind. Last Wednesday my cervix showed funneling on my weekly Ultrasound/cervical check and Friday I was in Labor and Delivery all day with contractions. Now that I am on Terbutaline every 4 hours, he said I absolutely cannot be working. That being said, I went back to Prasco and delivered the news. It makes me sad to think I have to leave so soon, when I have only been there 8-9 months. It's only temporary, though. I plan to be back at work after my maternity leave is over. I'm on bedrest until I deliver Izabella.

I voiced my concerns to Dr. Brady. It seems like I am on the same exact path that I was on with the twins. With the boys I was put on Terbutaline at 22 weeks; I was put on Terbutaline with Izabella at 24 weeks (close enough by my standards). I asked Dr. Brady how long he thought I would carry Izabella. He told me he would be VERY happy if I can make it to 34/35 weeks. 34/35 WEEKS! I was hoping so much for a full-term pregnancy this time, but I guess (again) it is not in the cards for me. All this shopping for a take-home outfit for Bella, and now I need to find a preemie outfit for her. Dr. Brady seems confident that I can make it until at least 34/35 weeks, considering I won't have the weight and pressure of a twin pregnancy. Plus I have a cerclage this time. Please say many prayers that with bedrest and God's help, I will remain pregnant at least until 35 weeks this time. 9-10 weeks to go.

Everything else looks fine. My blood pressure was 108/70. I have gained 21 lbs. I measure 26 weeks pregnant (my fundus measures 26"). Izabella's heartbeat was 158 BPM.

Dr. Brady wanted to know how I am doing on the Terbutaline. I explained to him that it is difficult to write anything with a pen (I'm way too jittery to hold a pen or write a check right now). But it is getting better. I'm adjusting to the meds a little now; although I suffer from the worst and longest leg cramps of my life each and every night now.

Dr. Brady also prescribed Zantac for me. I have been battling the worst heartburn for months now. I take a gazillion Tums a day. I have Tums bottles next to my bed, in my car, on my desk, in the kitchen, in my purse ~ everywhere! It's ridiculous and the relief is only temporary.

All I can say for now is Thank God we finished Izabella's Nursery. We are really ready for her at this point (not that she is coming anytime soon). My mom will continue to watch the boys at home for us. Thanks Mom & Dad. Slawek will really have to work hard in the evenings, because I won't be able to do much. He will have to carry the load for the next few months, until she arrives.

I have a weekly cervical check tomorrow and I pray that all goes well. Last week I was funneling (opening up from the inside out) but still had 4-4.5 cm. of good cervix left. I pray that my cervix hasn't shortened.

Please send prayers our way.

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Fri, May 19, 2006 10:00 AM
TRIP TO LABOR & DELIVERY:
Last night (5/18) I was having contractions off & on. We were busy working on Izabella's Nursery, so I thought maybe I just needed to get off my feet & rest. This morning, I came to work and the contractions started up again. At 9 am, I started timing them: 9 am, 9:02 am, 9:05 am, 9:11 am, 9:16 am, 9:21 am. I called my Perinatologist right away. They wanted me to come straight Labor & Delivery Triage. I arrived around 10 am.

They hooked me up to the monitor and it showed I was having about 10 contractions an hour. I was quickly given a shot of Brethine to calm the contractions. They slowed down a bit, but started back up, so I was given a second shot a bit later. I was monitored for about 4-5 hours in total. Izabella's heartrate was doing just fine ~ ranging from 155-165 BPM the entire time I was being monitored (I was concerned the medicine would have an affect on her, but I didn't see a jump in heartrate). Is there a full moon or something? Every time I was admitted with my last pregnancy, there was a full moon. Good Samaritan Hospital was completely out of hospital beds in Labor & Delivery, Triage, & SCOB (Special Care Obstetrics/High Risk unit) ~ where they wanted to send me for weekend observation. They were sending laboring women down to the Cardiac unit until the cardiac unit ran out of beds to. I overheard the nurses talking in the hall that they were in a critcal state, not accepting any transport deliveries of severe preemies since they were out of space. After several hours of monitoring, Dr. Coppage sent me home with a Brethine/Terbutaline prescription. I now have to take this every 4 hours (around the clock) until I deliver Izabella. Unfortunately, this is the same week during my last pregnancy when I went on Brethine with the boys. :(

I detest taking Brethine (injections of pills) - they make me feel like I have just taken the strongest diet pill of my life (racing heart, jittery, nausea, insomnia, etc.)

They did a fFN test (fetal fibronection test) came back NEGATIVE (thank God). A negative test result means that there is a less than 1% chance of having a premature delivery within the next 7 to 14 days.
http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ffn/test.html

They also tested me for a Urinary Tract Infection, which was also NEGATIVE.

I am home and resting. I was told to take it easy until I see my Perinatologist (Dr Brady) on Tuesday. Luckily, luckily luckily we had finished the Nursery before all this happened. I have probably been overdoing it, but honestly, I haven't been on any type of restrictions so far (and I have asked at every single Peri. appt/monthly).

It was very sad to see my front page summary sheet (the one that my Peri filled out that was waiting for me in L&D Triage). It said: "Incompetent Cervix, PPROM, Pre-Term Labor, Ceclage." How much worse/high risk can a pregnancy get? (these are diagnoses from my prior pregnancy, plus my cerclage now.)

It was also getting annoying because the nurses kept calling me the "23 weeker in room 2." I finally had to tell each one of them ~ "I am 24 WEEKS! Not 23 weeks." 24 weeks = viability, so please get it right, will ya?

Please keep me and Izabella in your prayers - I am wanting to stay pregnant a minimum of 12-13 more weeks.

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Fri, May 19, 2006 6:30 AM
24 WEEKS (VIABILITY!)
Your baby now weighs around 1.5 lbs (700g), and measures about 8.8 inches (22cm) from crown to rump, but this varies from baby to baby.

Your doctor should be able to hear your baby's heartbeat, using a stethoscope or Doppler ultrasound device. If your partner puts his ear right on your belly in the right position, he might even be able to hear it unaided if there is no background noise.

Your baby sleeps and wakes in a more regular pattern now. You may notice that your baby is particularly active when you are resting.

The center of your baby's bones are beginning to harden.

If your baby is a boy, the testes will start to descend into the scrotum now. If your baby is a girl, the vagina will begin to hollow out and mature now.

Your baby can make a fist now and may already have a preference for the right or left hand.

WITH MODERN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY, YOUR BABY WOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO SURVIVE IF IT WERE BORN NOW (YOUR BABY IS VIABLE!)

MY 24 WEEK PREGNANT BODY:
Your uterus is about the size of a soccer ball and you are probably noticeably bigger, especially when viewed from the side.

You may be suffering from cramps and because your baby is pressing against your bladder, you likely feel the need to urinate frequently. Earlier pregnancy symptoms, such as Braxton Hicks contractions, may persist.

You may be feeling indigestion or heartburn at this time. This is because your uterus has displaced your stomach and has pushed your diaphragm and lower ribs up, making it more likely that acid will be pushed up into the esophagus, particularly after large and heavy meals. Progesterone, which is enormously increased during pregnancy also plays a role since it slows down the emptying of food from your stomach. Eating several small meals can help alleviate heartburn. If it becomes very uncomfortable, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a safe antacid.

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Wed, May 17, 2006 11:00 AM
24 WEEK CERVICAL ULTRASOUND:
I have bad news from my weekly ultrasound today. I am funneling/beaking. I guess I should have expected the good news to stop sooner or later - but today's 24 week cervical ultrasound shows I am funneling/beaking from the inside out. :( Lori (sonographer) didn't even have to tell me. As soon as she put the probe in, I saw it immediately and started to cry. This brings back way too many memories of my last pregnancy - I started funneling between 20-22 weeks then, was hospitalized several times and ultimated delivered my boys at 31 weeks. I am just so shocked. How did I go from 5 cm. of cervical length to funneling/beaking in just 1 week without any contractions whatsoever? Believe me, I am very aware of contractions of any kind, and I can honestly say I haven't noticed any this week. Lori reminded me that "Incompetent Cervix" by definition is cervical changes without pre-term labor/contractions.

Lori tried to reassure me that I am doing just fine. I have my cerclage ~ that's what it's there for.... to hold me together when I start funneling/opening from the inside. And I have PLENTY of cervical length left (about 4-4.5 cm). But seeing what I saw today sent my head in a tailspin. Suddenly I was imagining myself back in the NICU with a premature baby, when I really want to bring home an 8 lb. Izabella.

I was told not to pick the boys up anymore. Slawek agreed to start lifting them full time now and to start placing them on my lap (while sitting) when I want to hold them. And they are actually at an age where they are able to climb up on the couch without any help, so they can climb on my lap, too.

In a way I feel like,"here we go again..."

Bella looks great - she has turned breech now. I knew something had changed in this past week, as the movements changed place. Her head is right above my belly button and her feet are down at my cervix. She is just like her brother Evan - who was the presenting Twin and was breech. He kicked my cervix and bladder so hard it would send me to tears.

She also has a prominent pointy nose like her mama. Lori mentioned her detailed her nose is now - I said, "yeah, it's pointy like mine!"

That's all for now, please say prayers that my cervix holds tight and that I can bring home Bella when she is full term!

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Mon, May 15, 2006 11:44 AM
We bought Izabella's Crib today! (see photos in the photo album entitled "Gifts for Bella"). Over the weekend we painted Izabella's nursery (pale pink) and painted the boys' room (pale blue) and also rearranged all the furniture. We were going to try to move Aidan into his toddler car bed, but Slawek and I think it's too early to transition him (and Evan is out of the question because he's a wiggle-worm monkey butt). That being said, we purchased crib #3! It's a big relief honestly. This way we don't feel like we are rushing the boys out of their cribs before they are ready, and we can still finish Izabella's nursery. My goal to finish her nursery has been at least by the beginning of the 3rd trimester - which is just 3 weeks away! EEK!

I can't WAIT to have the crib put together and get Bella's nursery all set up. I'll take plenty of photos once it's done. I am very excited!

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Fri, May 12, 2006 5:00 AM
23 WEEKS

Your baby is now about 8.4 inches from crown to rump (21cm) and weighs about 1.2 pounds (530g).

Your baby's face and body now look more like a full-term baby. She now looks close to how she will look at birth.

The eyes, though they are still closed, are now close together on the front of the face and the ears are in their final position. Eyelashes are fairly well-developed and hair is growing on your baby's head.

Your baby's movements are becoming more restricted now as she fills up the uterus more. Cartwheels and somersaults inside the amniotic sac are no longer possible, but she can still hold the umbilical cord and touch and feel around her. Though your baby is already living in tight quarters in the amniotic sac, she will soon have even less room to move around.

Her vital organs are now quite mature. However, since the lungs are not yet fully formed, your baby would have breathing problems if born prematurely at this stage.

Your baby is becoming increasingly conscious of the world outside and may feel startled when you are startled.

Your baby may alternate between having very active and very calm periods.

Your baby may have facial expressions such as frowning, squinting and pursing of the lips.

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Wed, May 10, 2006 10:30 AM
23 Week Cervical Ultrasound

I just got back from my 23 week cervical ultrasound measurement. Everything looks GREAT! My cervix measured 5.0-5.2 cm - which is unheard of! Lori, my sonographer, is still amazed at how well I am doing with this pregnancy. We talked a lot about how I was admitted at this time in my last pregnancy - and what a rough ride I had. So, it's wonderful news! What a great Mother's Day present for me!

Izabella is growing, she's over 1 lb. now and kicking up a storm. Lori showed me her aortic valve stemming off her heart. It's amazing how big she is, and the level of detail we can now see on the ultrasounds. I really enjoy watching her grow each week at my appointments.

I have 3 more ultrasounds with Lori, and then my weekly measurements will stop (at 26 weeks). After that, she said I will be checked *manually* by my Perinatologist. I am just not sure how frequently that will take place. I also have a Level 2 Ultrasound at 28 weeks, plus my 3D/4D session in Columbus scheduled on 6/17/06 (Father's Day weekend).

Have a great day!

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Fri, May 5, 2006 5:00 AM
22 WEEKS

Your baby now weighs almost 1 lb (450g) and measures about 8 inches (20cm) from crown to rump.

She is becoming plumper as her fat is being laid down at a high rate, but her skin is still wrinkled and reddish. The wrinkled and loose appearance of her skin is due to the faster production of her skin than the fat that fills it out. The reddish appearance of her skin is due to the deposition of pigment as her skin loses its translucent appearance.

Your baby can kick and punch vigorously by now, but she may also be gently feeling the umbilical cord and rubbing her hands and face against the inside membrane of the amniotic sac that holds her.

She is still swallowing amniotic fluid (which provides an important nutritional supplement to the nutrition she gets from you via the placenta) and is passing some of it as urine. The swallowing of the amniotic fluid may cause your baby to get the hiccups and you may even be able to feel this as her body jumps inside yours.

The lanugo hair on your baby's body may turn darker at this time.

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Wed, May 3, 2006 10:30 AM
22 WEEK Cervical Ultrasound:
My Ultrasound today was better than perfect! As a matter of fact, my sonographer Lori said, "Is your cervix ALWAYS measuring so long?"

I said, "well, it has consistently measured 3.7 cm - 5.2 cm. during this pregnancy - mostly around 4-5 cm in length."

She said, "It's amazingly long. It's between 4.8 - 5.4 cm. today!"

I couldn't be happier. You see, I was admitted for the first time (of many) hospital bedrests between 22-23 weeks with a cervix <2 cm. during my last pregnancy. So this news just MADE my day! So far, so good.

Bella was her normal, cute self. Posing for the camera, waving her arm, playing with her nose. She's such a joy to watch!

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