I was just going to add onto the thread that I started a little while back, but I can't find it, so I just started another thread.

Most of you know that we had to postpone our move to Alaska because we found out I'm pregnant in January. Well, we finally got everything straightened out with the insurance and yesterday we went for our first official appt. Well, needless to say, I was a nervous wreck because this pregnancy has not been at all like any of the others (which might be a good thing). I don't feel the baby move nearly as much as I did with the others and I didn't get yucky sick like before either. So, yesterday they found the heartbeat on the first try (which is rare when it comes to me). She literally put the doppler on my belly and there it was.

We made an appt. with the Maternal Fetal Medicine doctors for tomorrow. I'm a little nervous about that because I'm afraid that they are going to tell me that I'm going to need the cerclage procedure done again this time and I just am not comfortable with that....after all, we think that having that done last time is what started me on that bumpy road in the first place. I assume that they will do an ultrasound to check cervical length just to make sure everything is going OK.

So, that is the update as of today. I know I haven't talked about it lately....I'm just not at that excited point yet...although I DID make a new neat-o ticker.

Oh what wonderful news Jenn....and to hear that little heart beat...nothing like it
I have been wondering how you were feeling but didnt want to pry and ask...so i was really happy to see that you had posted
Continued prayers for you and baby

Congrats to you too!!

If they want to do a procedure that you aren't comfortable with, you don't have to consent. And it is ALWAYS good to get a second opinion. Also, the internet and libraries have GREAT reading on that stuff.

I can PM you some links if you like. I belong to a doula and midwife group that often has access to information about more "alternative" and less invasive procedures. (I'm hoping to become an IBCLC someday myself.)

Good Luck! I'll be keeping you in my thoughts!
'Manda

There is not much information on what they will want to do to me. ....and I know that I do not have to have the procedure if I don't want to. At this point, I will not have it done unless they show me funneling on an ultrasound. I saw a perinatologist at Hospital of University of PA at the end of January and he was VERY good. He is one of the top 5 doctors in the country who deals with this particular problem and he does not think that I have what my other doctors were treating me for. Unfortunately, it is very hard to diagnose it and alot of times the diagnosis is a 'catch-all' if you loose enough pregnancies a certain way. So, we'll just wait and see what the doctors at Geisinger have to say tomorrow. They are supposed to have very good MFM's and a good NICU....just in case.

Penny, you could have asked. I wouldn't have minded. I'm just not really at the point where I will just come right out and say anything. ...but I don't mind being asked. We have decided to try not to really think about too much until I hit the 25 week point. I'm pretty sure that is when the NICU would take the baby.....but that is a question we are asking the MFM doctor tomorrow. I'm not sure if it is different for Geisinger than the other hospital that I was at last time.

Thanks Jenn....now that i know, i will ask, but i just didnt want to before...again i am so happy for you and will be thinking about you both

So glad you posted and let us know! I don't blame you for not wanting the cerclage, especially knowing what you do now. I hope all goes well tomorrow and you have more good news for us, and you!!

I hope everything goes well for you tomorrow Jenn! Will keep you, Stephen and the wee one in my thoughts and prayers!

Praying for you & Stephen & the wee~one, can't wait to hear how it goes!

sounds like it is going well.

i'm glad you got some good news!! and a good strong heartbeat definitely is that!!

did you get pics before you left??

hope tomorrow brings just as positive results as today did!!!

Nope, no pictures because they just used the doppler to find the heartbeat...they didn't to an ultrasound. We've had three done already tho...all very early on.

We may end up cancelling our appt. with the MFM doctor tomorrow. We are supposed to get some pretty bad weather and don't want to drive an hour away in it. So, I may have to reschedule for sometime next week.

Lot's of prayers for you and your family here Jenn. I almost lost my daughter, miscarried the next, and almost lost my son. Everything worked out well. My "kids" are now happy healthy 34 and almost 31 year olds and I have two wonderful grandkids. Have faith in God and He will get you through this.

You are still in my prayers, Jenn...

hi jenn i am praying for and ur baby and family

Woke up this morning to snow already on the ground (wasn't supposed to start until 10!), so we rescheduled the MFM appt. for Tuesday afternoon. In the meantime, I'm going back to bed!

Thanks Jenn....good idea to reschedule

Yeah, well, considering the snow is coming down enough that it looks foggy, I don't think we're going anywhere today......except for my MIL...she's leaving today for a quilt retreat!

Well wishes are always with you,Jenn!!I know this has all been very hard for you and Stephen!


you know,when I was pregnant with my daughter,I was sick some,but not at all with my son.

not to get any hopes up tho...we are all different

jenn, i'm glad you changed the appt!!! center city isn't really all that bad...ALL the roads everywhere else are tho!

i went in to work late and left early...it's NASTY out there!!

and yes! the storm did arrive earlier than expected. let's hope it moves out as quickly too!!

I don't think the storm is moving at all!!! I keep watching it on the map and the blue blob over us just sits still! We have 7" already and are supposed to get 1-3" every hour starting at 8 tonight!!!

yeah, just got done watching the news...it'll be doing something until at least midnight tonight...

we're still getting sleet; supposed to get snow at some point later on. we've only got about 4 inches or so at this point...

you guys are REALLY going to have to 'dig out' tomorrow!! at least the puppies will have some fun running around and playing in the snow!!! take some pics

Jenn, happy to read the update and see that everything is going well with you and the baby. Loads of snow you are getting, I am glad you stayed in!

Today is the rescheduled appt. with the MFM doctor. The appt. is at 3 and I'm a little nervous. Everything feels OK, but everything felt OK last time and it wasn't. I just don't want to live in a hospital for a month again.

Praying for you Jenn. I hope everything goes well today!

Ok.....
for the most part, everything is OK. The MFM doctor did some ultrasounds and there is a blood clot sitting in the inside opening (uterus side) of the cervix. The doctor says I'm having some internal type of bleeding because my cervix is trying to dilate early again....BUT I don't have the weak cervix. He says it is a classic sign of low progesterone, so I have to have progesterone supplements once a week to try to fix it. I'm supposed to go onto bedrest again also....which I will follow for the most part. The baby looked good. Is measuring a little large for 17 weeks, but that is OK. It is pretty much bent in half at the waist....which is why I really haven't been feeling it move as much as the last 2, which weren't folded in half.

Well, we literally just got home (these appt. days are soooooo long) and I'm soooooo tired. I'm gonna go lay on the couch for a bit.

Jenn, Good news that the baby is doing well. I am sorry about the blood clot and that causing you to have to be on bed rest again, I know you were hoping you could avoid that. When is your next appointment?

In 2 weeks. We're hoping the clot is dissolved by then....that would indicate that the bleeding is gone. I do not know if the bedrest is long term or not. Although, I have heard from more than 1 doctor that bedrest isn't proven to do anything at all, so I will do bedrest for the most part, but I will still go to church on Sundays and do things like Easter down at my parents and visiting family every once in a while. I lost too much of my life last time and I refuse to do that again.

i'm glad the appt was generally positive!! and very glad the doc doesn't think it's a weak cervix issue!

i'd definitely follow the bedrest thing...at least for the two weeks until the next appt. you've GOT to let that internal bleed thingie heal up!!!

i'll bet, if you give it the two weeks of bedrest, you'll get a positive diagnosis that the clot is gone.

and then, just do the basics after that...take it easy as much as possible, don't lift anything heavier than 10-15 pounds, DON'T vaccuum, don't stand too long or walk too much (like go to the mall for hours) and try not to roughhouse with the puppies too much for another few weeks and things should turn to a normal pregnancy.

prayers continue!

im glad to hear the baby is doing well, hope your blood clot dissolves.
keepin you in my thoughts and prayers

Will be praying that all continues to go well Jenn. I absolutely understand not wanting to be in bed all day every day.

Wonderful news!!!

Jenn, you're in my thoughts and prayers that everything goes well for you.

I spent 90% of the day on the recliner and I feel sooo much worse than normal. It happend last time too. I feel soo much stretching in my belly when I stand up after sitting all day and then I just feel horrible. I hope he lets me have a normal life after these 2 weeks.

did you sit the whole time or did you stand up every couple of hours?

i'd ask if it's okay to stand up and walk around for a few minutes every couple of hours...that little bit of movement would be enough to keep you from overly stretching after being immobile for a long period of time AND that little bit of walking will keep the blood flowing and bring your oxygen levels in the blood up - and that's important.

Continued prayers for you and baby!

Continued prayers Jenn

Jenn...I am praying so hard that things go OK for you.

I sat and played video games almost the whole time...I did get up to go to the bathroom every once in a while. ....and ate every couple of hours (which is fine b/c I haven't gained any weight yet ) I will ask more questions when we go back to see him next Tuesday.

thinking of you Jenn & Stephen & praying that all goes well!