(tmi time)I dont know how many of you know this but when a woman ovulates she will have a thicker almost slimy discharge. Well I do know this so, two weeks after I miscarried I ovulated. I discussed with my fiancé and we decided to start trying again then instead of waiting the additional 4 weeks. If the doctor said I'd be physically ready then I needed to know that hadn't been my only shot at being a mommy. I felt scared and desperate that it would never happen. To be clear to this day I will grieve the loss of my very first baby, but I couldn't give up on being a mommy.
Two and a half weeks later I found out we were pregnant again! I didn't tell a single person. I was so scared after last time that I kept my little secret. I was getting married two weeks later and I just wanted to focus on that and keep my baby safe. A few days after I found out I was pregnant I started to spot. I was terrified it was happening again. We went to the doctor and had an ultrasound done. Thankfully everything was fine. First trimester bleeding is semi normal and often harmless.
Because of the bleeding, I relaxed, did almost nothing except work and finish wedding details. Between weeks 4-9 of my pregnancy I had 4 ultrasounds done due to bleeding the doctor wanting to keep checking the baby. I had blood work done every 3 days to monitor my HCG levels. Finally at exactly 12 weeks I stopped bleeding and told everyone I was pregnant.
Now I had been through a lot more than most to get where I was and I wasn't taking anything for granted. I was/am so thankful for what I've been given. I tried very hard my whole pregnancy not to complain about anything because it all meant I had a little miracle growing inside me.... Then the itching started.
At around 25-26 weeks I began getting REALLY itchy. It started with my belly, so I thought ok it's just growing. Cream seemed to help a bit so if i got itchy I would just go to the bathroom at work or home and lotion my belly up. Then it moved to my arms and legs and worst if all my feet. I found myself constantly scratching! Some times I would scratch my legs so bad they would bleed a bit! When I say I tried not to complain I mean I REALLY tried not to complain but this itching was driving me crazy! I felt like I was being tortured. It was so bad some nights I couldn't sleep until my husband coated my entire body in extra strength gold bond medicated cream. But if I didn't fall asleep before the burning wore off we had to do it all over again. I had seen my doctor around 25 weeks and not said anything when it was just my tummy. I talked to my friends and family and they said that it was normal and I'd just have to live with it. I didn't believe they understood how bad it was! Finally by my next appointment at 29weeks I couldn't take it anymore! I told my doctor. (****Note to anyone pregnant, if it doesn't seem right don't listen to your friends, TELL YOUR DOCTOR, if they blow it off but you still don't feel right TELL THEM AGAIN! You know your body best!**) Thankfully my doctor listened the first time, he gave me a form for blood work and told me I do it on my way home. This was a Wednesday and he said it would take a few days to get the results. Thursday afternoon I was called at work by the office and told I needed to go to the hospital for more tests as some if my enzyme levels were not looking good. I was admitted into he hospital and monitored for 3 days. I was diagnosed with cholestasis. This is a condition that causes your liver enzymes to increase. If, with medication, they can't get your enzymes under control, your health is at risk and they may need to deliver your baby immediately. I was 30 weeks pregnant. My doctor informed me that I would probably have to deliver my baby between 34-36 weeks. This condition normally doesn't show up until around 36 weeks so when they have to do an early delivery you are already considered almost full term.
At the time I was told I would be delivering by 36 weeks at the latest but if they couldn't get my liver enzymes down hey would have to induce me immediately. While in the hospital I was given two steroid shots to help develop my son's lungs incase early arrival was my only option. They also started me on medication to try and get me better. Here is something I didn't mention, cholestasis is vey rare, it affects less than 1% of pregnant Canadians. So in the hospital I was an oddity. I was talked about because I had something they didn't see every day. I didnt mind though because it meant they were watching me and my baby closely as its something they didn't usually deal with so took no chances.
The medication worked! I was allowed I go home but was put on bed rest. We didn't know when I would have to deliver my baby but my liver enzymes dropping meant I could carry him longer and longer. I was going for blood work daily at first and by the end weekly.
At 35 weeks my enzymes were at a safe level and I was 1-2cm dilated on my own so my doctor said not to worry I would probably go into labor myself without being induced! I was so excited as I had been planning to have my baby by 36 weeks since I'd been in the hospital. The following week my baby still wasn't here so I thought ok I'm 36 weeks now they have to induce me! I was so excited to meet my baby and finally have him out where it seemed to be safer than inside. However my exam showed I was 2-3cm now so any day my doctor said. He was leaving on holidays in 3 days so I did everything I could find to get my baby out(except castor oil). Still nothing! My 37 week appointment I was 37w 5d so I was anxious.
At 38wks 4days I was full of so many emotions. I was nervous for my baby's health. I was excited I would soon get to hold him. I was frustrated because, thinking I was delivering at 36 weeks made me feel almost 3 weeks over due. My doctors replacement decided because of my anxiety he would do a membrane sweep. Just an FYI to anyone considering it, some women swear by this but know that it HURTS! Also in my case it didn't work My baby was supposed to be here already! My husband decided to go for a walk that night to try and coax our son out. OH MY GOODNESS! After about 10 blocks I got the worst stomach cramp I couldn't walk any further! It hurt so bad! My husband had to go home and get the car and even though I knew it wasn't labor we went to the hospital to get checked out.
Well at the hospital they were a little concerned I hadn't been booked in for an induction yet but did a no stress test and at 1am Friday they let me go home but asked that I come back Saturday for another no stress test. Saturday I was 38 weeks 6 days. Everything looked fine but the doctor on call said cholestasis made her nervous so she said they were going to induce me! FINALLY! Thank goodness I kept my baby bag in my car! I was soooo happy! They started the drugs to induce labor at 1045am and at 4:10 the next morning my son was finally here!
My little miracle rainbow baby had finally arrived. He was healthy beautiful and 7lb5oz of perfection.
He latched in the delivery room and I was able to breast fees right away. I know with everything I went through I'm lucky. I feel blessed every day to have my miracle. Him and his daddy mean the world to me. I wish that everyone could experience the kind of love I feel for my family.
I didn't have the easiest pregnancy, but it was easier than a lot of other people have it. Remember that pregnancy is only 9 months if your lucky. Enjoy the sleepless nights and the kicks because you miss it when its gone. ❤
For every mommy who complains about her pregnancy marks and discomfort there is another wishing she could experience it.
-Linda
No comments:
Post a Comment