we'rehavingababyit'saboy

It's official!!  It's a BOY!!!!

Had our follow-up today with the MFM.  I'm 15 weeks today.  The ultrasound tech said, "If I can see the anatomy, do you want to know the sex?"  "Heck yes we do" was my reply, and she dropped the ultrasound thingy on my tummy - BAM!!! Money shot!!  It is definitely a boy!

Oh, and my cervical length - yeah, that's right!!!!! 4.6cm!!!!!  Holy Mackerel! 

Update From the Hubby

Update From the Hubby:

Amanda's surgery went flawlessly.  The doctor who performed the surgery is the best in the city.  He placed the two cerclage stitches very high and very tight, just under the bladder.  They had to run blue dye into Amanda to make sure the bladder or the ureters weren't punctured in the process.  All things look fine.

Amanda's biggest hurdle: the needles.  She went through it like a champ!  Because Amanda has deep veins in her arms, they had to attach her I.V. via her hand - Ouch!  They shot her with Lidocaine beforehand, though, so the "stick" wasn't felt.  Probably the proudest moment for me, pre-surgery, was when the Anesthesiologist gave Amanda the option of knock-out gas and "the needle."  The knock-out gas would pose a greater threat to the baby.   Amanda faced her greatest fear and, like a true BLM, opted for the needle...which ended up being a simple spinal block, not an epidural.

The surgery took approximately 15 minutes, and then off to recovery!

The doctor warned that Amanda would be sore for a few days.  This was a major understatement.  Because of Amanda being pregnant, the nurse staff wouldn't give her the "good stuff."  Amanda equates the pain to contraction pains which never let up.  She's been on a regiment of Motrin (and Tylenol 3 for the unbearable pain).

Amanda's been instructed to stay on pelvic rest (in bed) for two weeks.  She'll then be re-evaluated, and it will be determined if she'll need to stay on bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy.  She did get her cervix measured, and it was still at 3.4cm, what it was at our last OB/GYN appointment.  We also had an ultrasound done to make sure the baby was doing fine.  I'm happy to say that Baby M was just chillin' with his/her legs crossed, waving "Hi" to everyone, as if to say, "I'm doing fine and won't be going anywhere for 20+ weeks."

One last comment:

When the doctor took me aside in the waiting room to tell me the news, he was all smiles (he remembered Amanda from when he attempted the same cerclage surgery for her last August, when Amanda's water broke before the surgery even began).  He said that Amanda will not lose this baby due to an incompetent cervix.  That's phenomenal news!  Please keep Amanda in your prayers (as we do with all of you) that the pain will subside quickly and that Baby M will stay safe until (s)he is ready to meet his/her mommy and daddy for the first time as a healthy newborn.

-the Hubby

Today is the day

Today is the day!!  I am so excited, nervous and hungry.  :0)

My cerclage is going to be placed at one o'clock (cst) today.  I am so ready!  I am so ready!  I am so scared too!!  If you think of it, please just lift up my sweet baby today.  I am praying that God will keep him/her safe for the next 6 months and that this procedure will bring us one step closer to a baby that we get to keep.

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!  I am so excited!!

Hip Hip Hooray for Cervical Measurements!!

Today I am 13 weeks pregnant.   I am still in such awe and wonder...I hope that never goes away.  In past pregnancies I have counted the hours that lead up to the 13 week mark...the last week of the first trimester.   This is typically the time in a pregnancy when women will start to be less nervous and breathe easier.  But, for me - it is the beginning of the 2nd trimester - the portion of pregnancy in which both of my children left us for Heaven.  It is, for me, the beginning of weeks of deep concern.

On Monday, Jan 31st, I'm having my cervical cerclage placed.  I'm very excited, as I think it is going to be one of the key elements in making sure we bring this baby home to stay with us.  Please be in prayer for us, specifically around 1:00 p.m. (CST).  I'll have two weeks of mandatory bed rest and then (fingers crossed), I'll be allowed to move up to modified bed rest - meaning I can get up, go to work for 4-5 hours and then come home and lay in bed (which I have been doing for the last 7 weeks)!!

So, at yesterday's appointment I was a little anxious to get my cervical measurement.  However, when the doctor told me - I nearly jumped off the table!!  3.4 cm my friends!!!  3.4cm!!  The longest CL I've ever had!  Oh, the Lord is so good!!!  Hallelujah.  We pray for continued 'ease' and peace, as well as long CL and calm uterus!!  Prais God!!

Okay, so here is a 'typical' picture of our baby (from this site):

And here is our sweet love.  He/she was so squirmy at the u/s it was difficult to get a clear picture (obviously)!  But, we are so in love!!

A Stitch In Time

We met with one of the 3 MFM's today.  There are 3 in the practice, and any one of the 3 could be the one to perform my cerclage.  We met 2 of them when I was in the hospital after suffering PPROM with Levi.  They all three have a similar bedside manner, and all three put me right at ease.  So, I'm happy with the choice and have no opinion about which one performs the procedure.  I feel heard, understood and relieved.

My cerclage will be on January 31st.  It seems a world away, but at the same time it feels really close.  I will be about 13w3d on the 31st.  I wanted to have the procedure at 11 weeks, as my regular OB told me that was the earliest it could be done.  But this group of doctors normally won't do a cerclage until 16 weeks!!  Well, I certainly wasn't waiting that long!!  But, they were understanding, and given my prior losses, we will be doing it at 13weeks.  Then, I'll have 2 weeks of mandatory bed rest and hopefully I'll be able to resume some activity.  However, if my cervical length is not long enough, I'll be on bed rest for the remainder of this pregnancy.  Either way...I'll be ecstatic -- I can lay in bed as long as this baby needs me to!! 

We are STILL waiting to hear about our status with medicaid.  It's so ridiculous this system!  I would think that it would be easy for working, tax-paying, citizens to obtain medicaid when they need it.  But, that is apparently not the case.  Anyhow, I will not get up on that soap box right now!!

We are seeing Dr. P tomorrow and hopefully we'll have some pics of the little bambino.  The pics from today's visit are much akin to a picture of big foot.  So, maybe tomorrow.

I am still in a great deal of shock that I am pregnant.  After Levi died I wondered (like everyday) if I'd get another chance.  I am working hard not to be afraid, it is difficult.  I just keep praying, all day --- every day.  When doubt enters my mind I try to call up some Bible verses to chase it away.

We are reading through the most amazing book right now, called Birthed in Prayer.  It has been such a blessing.  There are prayers, and places to keep notes/prayers.  I simply love it and cannot recommend it enough.  I definitely think this book is a must read for us momma's of little angels.  Although none of the stories (at least that I've read so far) involve women who have lost children, I still feel like I can relate to some of them.  The first portion of the book is really about not losing yourself as you become a mother, and I think that is important whether your child lives or dies.

Oh God, please let this baby stay here for a very long time.