Update on the Pregnancy

Well, Matt and I went to the doctor today and it really made me feel better. We wondered if we were able to hear the heartbeat because we couldn't at this appointment with Ethan. The doctor put the little microphone up to me and it took a few minutes but we got to hear the nice and strong heartbeat for a few seconds. The doctor said it was about 160 and good. It was so nice to hear that and put me at ease and put an instant smile on my face. We asked a lot of questions about some of the issues with the infection and the cerclage. It looks like I was not crazy about what I heard at the appointment with the specialist, as the doctor told me the same things today. So, what that means for us...

I will have my cerclage as planned and I will have to be off work for the days following since it is on a Tuesday and I would be required to walk and stand for a few days after. I will be able to go back to work the Monday after the surgery, but I will have to take thing extremely easy for the last few weeks of school. I can't risk having the stitch tear and having to possibly go on bedrest even earlier. I've talked to my fellow teachers and they are willing to help me out, which has been great, it is helpful to have so many supportive people to work with.

The infection will be a possibility but we don't know how much until it would happen. Basically, it may never happen, but it could still happen and we won't know until I would go into labor due to the infection. He told me that they really don't know what came first, the labor or the infection, so that kind of leaves things up in the air. So, we just need to pray about it and ask that the baby be protected through this entire pregnancy. I went up for healing prayers at my church this past Sunday and it really does make me feel like God is working through me. I did it a lot when Ethan was in the hospital and even once Ethan was home until he got healthier and I truly believe it helped. I have seen the power of prayer and believe it will help me this time.

I will also get progesterone. I will know a little more when I get the cerclage done. I wouldn't start them until about 16 weeks, so I will find out which doctor will prescribe it. It's interesting how the two doctors differ on which type I should get. The specialist for the cerclage said the shot would be better because I would only have to do it once a week, but it is more expensive and I would have to go into a doctor's office weekly. My OB is suggesting the suppository because it is better for people with incompetant cervix because the progesterone is inserted near the cervix, but it is daily although it is cheaper. So, we'll see which doctor decides to take it on and which one they decide on. I actually hate needles and I've heard that those ones can be painful, but I like the fact it is once a week. So, I'm kind of up in the air on which one to do. I think it will be fine either way, so we'll see what the docs say.

So, things are looking better for me at least in the sense of how I feel. I am feeling a little better knowing that at this point we just have to wait and see, but in the meantime I will treat things as a normal pregnancy except for the extra resting that will have to be done. I go back for my 15-16 week appointment on May 1st. I am days away from my first goal, which is 12 weeks. My next goal will be 14 weeks for the cerclage and then 16 weeks for the progesterone. The goals have really helped me to get through everything.

Don't forget to visit http://www.marchforbabies.org/ethanriley