Sorry to leave you hanging for ONE WHOLE DAY. I actually didn't figure anyone reading would want to keep slogging through these long posts full of all these um... details. But let's carry on, shall we?
That last appointment was on a Wednesday. I tried to take it easy for the next couple of days, but didn't have any more significant bleeding. I was feeling okay. On Sunday I woke up to shower for church and discovered bright red blood, and quite a bit of it. I completely lost my mind. Timon was wonderful, putting me back to bed, making phone calls to various praise band members to let them know I wouldn't be there - I don't think I'd told any of our friends yet about being pregnant. I spent the day in bed and on the couch, alternating between praying and sobbing. I'm sure I scared the heck out of Henry, being all hysterical - but he was an angel. He kept laying next to me throughout the day, stroking my cheek, asking me if I was okay, telling me he loved me. Despite the crisis I thought was inevitable, that day with Henry was very, very special.
I left a message on the OB nurse's voice mail about this new bleeding - it didn't continue throughout the day, but was still present. They called me fairly quickly Monday morning and had me come in for a check-up. I met with the OB first (one I hadn't met before) and she said that between my symptoms and the progesterone level they had taken the week before being VERY low, that it was likely that I was going to miscarry. She was very compassionate. They quickly got me into the ultrasound room (this is one of the best things about this practice is their in-house ultrasound tech) and Timon and I gripped each other's hands, preparing to see no heartbeat.
BUT, praise God, there was a heartbeat! It was faster than the ultrasound the week before, about 140 bpm, and there was measured growth - this time the baby measured 6 weeks, 3 days. We did not get a picture to take home this time. The OB said that it was good but guarded news. Because of the bleeding and low progesterone levels, she would not change the diagnosis from the week before. She wanted me to start progesterone supplements, a lovely medication that I hope you all never have to experience. Studies are few and results are mixed as to whether or not this supplementation even works. Some doctors won't even prescribe it. I am convinced that it helped - after 2 days, I had ZERO bleeding and that has continued to this day. What happens is when you are a normal ovulator, after the egg is released and fertilized, your ovary produces enough progesterone to make a cozy home for your baby in the uterus until the placenta is fully formed at around 10-12 weeks. I am not a normal ovulator due to the PCOS, and so my levels were very low.
My first regular OB appt. was scheduled for one week later. They promised to do another ultrasound that day to check that baby was still hanging around and looking good. I was happy that the baby was okay at that moment, but I was nearly paralyzed with fear, thinking that for sure, the worst was just around the corner. I could not be happy or relax, ever.
...to be continued...
That last appointment was on a Wednesday. I tried to take it easy for the next couple of days, but didn't have any more significant bleeding. I was feeling okay. On Sunday I woke up to shower for church and discovered bright red blood, and quite a bit of it. I completely lost my mind. Timon was wonderful, putting me back to bed, making phone calls to various praise band members to let them know I wouldn't be there - I don't think I'd told any of our friends yet about being pregnant. I spent the day in bed and on the couch, alternating between praying and sobbing. I'm sure I scared the heck out of Henry, being all hysterical - but he was an angel. He kept laying next to me throughout the day, stroking my cheek, asking me if I was okay, telling me he loved me. Despite the crisis I thought was inevitable, that day with Henry was very, very special.
I left a message on the OB nurse's voice mail about this new bleeding - it didn't continue throughout the day, but was still present. They called me fairly quickly Monday morning and had me come in for a check-up. I met with the OB first (one I hadn't met before) and she said that between my symptoms and the progesterone level they had taken the week before being VERY low, that it was likely that I was going to miscarry. She was very compassionate. They quickly got me into the ultrasound room (this is one of the best things about this practice is their in-house ultrasound tech) and Timon and I gripped each other's hands, preparing to see no heartbeat.
BUT, praise God, there was a heartbeat! It was faster than the ultrasound the week before, about 140 bpm, and there was measured growth - this time the baby measured 6 weeks, 3 days. We did not get a picture to take home this time. The OB said that it was good but guarded news. Because of the bleeding and low progesterone levels, she would not change the diagnosis from the week before. She wanted me to start progesterone supplements, a lovely medication that I hope you all never have to experience. Studies are few and results are mixed as to whether or not this supplementation even works. Some doctors won't even prescribe it. I am convinced that it helped - after 2 days, I had ZERO bleeding and that has continued to this day. What happens is when you are a normal ovulator, after the egg is released and fertilized, your ovary produces enough progesterone to make a cozy home for your baby in the uterus until the placenta is fully formed at around 10-12 weeks. I am not a normal ovulator due to the PCOS, and so my levels were very low.
My first regular OB appt. was scheduled for one week later. They promised to do another ultrasound that day to check that baby was still hanging around and looking good. I was happy that the baby was okay at that moment, but I was nearly paralyzed with fear, thinking that for sure, the worst was just around the corner. I could not be happy or relax, ever.
...to be continued...
2 comments:
okay, so "to be continued" should be continued ASAP.
i'm so glad things are going well! you and baby are in my prayers!!
Oh, Maresi! You had me on the edge of my seat with these entries. I'm so relieved to know that things are okay now. I'll be thinking of you and your family!
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