Two Ultrasounds

28w2d  - Sticking out his tongue!

Prior to May 30, I was always in awe when I would hear a little heart beating within me. I remember with each pregnancy thinking it was one of the most beautiful sounds in the whole wide world. I found myself almost in tears when I'd hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time in the RE's office. I am extremely grateful that Oliver's little heart is still beating away within me, but the novelty of hearing his heartbeat wore off many weeks ago. At times they've had the volume up 24 hours a day. If it's within my reach, I usually turn the volume down. Similarly, I remember getting SO excited about each and every ultrasound in the last two pregnancies. I do remember losing a bit of interest during Nadia's 24 week ultrasound because it was performed by a pediatric cardiologist, and the entire exam was focused on her heart. Although I do enjoy seeing Oliver's cute little face, these days I'm usually more focused on wondering whether he's anemic or not when they're doing a transfusion. I am guessing I've averaged three ultrasounds a week over the past 9 weeks, and when something is done that often the novelty wears off. With Nadia and Ian, I saved every single ultrasound picture I was given. This time it seems excessive to save all of them, especially considering some of them are so blurry that I can't even tell what I'm looking at. I think it's related to all the years of infertility, but I am having the hardest time throwing any of them away (just like with the hpts!). This is coming from someone who has a nickname of "the chucker." Paul gave me that nickname years ago because of my penchant for getting rid of clutter. This morning I took pictures of four of the ultrasounds with my old point and shoot camera. Of the pictures they've given me since July 5, these are my favorites.

28w0d - Waving "hi!"

I know that complete placenta previa is a dangerous condition. As badly as I want to go home, obviously I don't want to bleed to death! I have been praying that if it's not the Lord's will that I go home, that I would have a little spotting or bleeding as that would cancel the plans for me to be discharged. I also was praying that today's ultrasound results would be specific and accurate. Unfortunately there was a pretty wide range again (from 50-70). I was hoping to be able to tell Paul after the ultrasound whether I was going to be discharged today or not, but I had no idea because the higher numbers would mean he should have a transfusion tomorrow, and the lower numbers would mean we could wait a few more days. At 2:00 I asked my nurse if she could check and see if I was being discharged this evening so I could let Paul know. At 2:30 she told me that the doctor wanted me to have another ultrasound since this morning's wasn't conclusive. If I was going home, the plan was that Paul would drive from PSU to the hospital and take me to his parents' house where I could stay with the kids for a couple of days until the next transfusion. The thought of staying in my own bed was very appealing, but I thought it was better for me to be closer to Harrisburg and also not be at home alone with the kids during the day.

29w2d - Cute little foot!

Around 3:45pm, a nurse took me back to the 8th floor for another ultrasound. The same woman did it, but she felt like she got a more accurate reading this time. Dr. Martinez came in part way through the ultrasound, and he did one reading himself, which was similar to what she had just gotten. He said the anemia is not severe enough to warrant a transfusion quite yet. I am being discharged!!!! We had other babysitters lined up for Wednesday and Thursday. The original plan had been that the kids would only be at Paul's parents' house on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, but Paul is going to take me to their house this evening. Presuming the placenta behaves itself, I am to come back on Thursday for the next ultrasound. This means that the next transfusion will be the last one since it won't take place until I am 31 weeks along. I won't get to see Paul much, but I will (presuming I don't start bleeding) get to spend at least 2 days with my kids! WOOHOO! I haven't been outside this hospital since 7:45am on July 5. The other thing I'm going to take advantage of while I'm at Paul's parents' house is the ability to shop online. I plan to finish buying the things I need (ex. something to carry him in when we go shopping and such) and want (letters that spell his name for his bedroom wall) in preparation for his arrival. If I am able to come home after the next transfusion, then I really want to go HOME, but I think it's best that I spend Tuesday and Wednesday at Paul's parents' house rather than at home (even though I'll miss Paul and our bed - there's just nothing like sleeping in one's own bed).



30w2d

One thing I keep forgetting to mention is that my belly button went from being an innie to an outie a few days ago. When I was pregnant with Nadia, it was stretched really thin, but at 36w when I had her, it still hadn't popped out. When I was pregnant with Ian, it popped out around 32w. This time it popped out around 30w. The ironic thing is that I weigh a lot less right now than I did at 32w with Ian or 36w with Nadia. It's definitely not about how much one weighs. They say your belly pops out faster with each pregnancy, and I'm assuming that's why my belly button has popped out earlier each time. Even with my shirt on you can often tell that my belly button has popped because the shirt (if it's size L) is taut around my belly. I notice it when I walk by a mirror. I don't have any stretch marks yet. I'm hoping I don't get any. We shall see.