OB Appointment #12

Today I had my final OB appointment before meeting Carleigh. Kyndra and I got there a little early but we had to wait a little bit because they forgot to tell Dr. F she had an earlier appointment. No big deal. I was off work today because Kyndra had a fever of 103 last night but she is feeling much better today. My BP was good at 88/58 and I am still at 120.5 lbs. My fundal height is still at 29 cm too. Carleigh's heart was pumping strong at 131 bpm.

Dr. F went over the ultrasound report and we talked about that for a few minutes and then I mentioned to her getting induced on Friday. So we talked about all the options with that and a few things about my birth plan. She called Mother Baby Care to make sure that there were slots open for me to get induced. So we are set to go in on Friday at 7:30 am. Wow! That's only a few days away and that's so hard to believe. I still haven't packed my hospital bag yet. I'll try and get that done sometime this week, perhaps today.

So, to all of those following our journey I will be posting updates as often as I can on Friday to keep everyone up to date on the progress.

OB Appointment #11

I had another OB appointment today. My BP was 102/64 and my weight was 120.5 lbs so I am down 1/2 a lb from last week. Carleigh's heart rate was 148 bpm and she even decided to kick the doppler for fun. What a spunky lil girl! I am displeased to say that I have fallen even further behind on my growth. I turn 35 weeks tomorrow and my fundal height is measuring around 29cm. Thus, I am 6 weeks behind, which is even further than my last appointment. This really worries me. Dr. F left it up to me whether I wanted to get an US. I, of course, want one and it is scheduled for tomorrow at 10am.

Dr. F and I discussed all the options. It is looking like Carleigh has IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) and that is not good. Having IUGR increases Carleigh's chances of being stillborn and that is something I do not want at all. So it is very likely that I will not be going to my due date like I had wanted. I guess it all depends on how tomorrow's US goes. If she is significantly behind on her growth then it may be time for her to come out. They will only be able to measure her femur length and abdominal circumference so that will all we have to go by. I have an appointment set up next week to go back to Dr. Fauley. She plans on doing the Strep B and checking my cervix.

Please pray for Carleigh's US tomorrow. I am hoping that her growth isn't as far behind as my belly is but in all honesty I am not that optimistic. It's not good for her to be farther than 3 weeks behind and the last time I had an US tech check her growth (not scheduled) she was around 3 weeks behind. PRAY HARD!!!

OB Appointment #10

I had an ob appointment today. My BP was 100/68 and my weight was 121 lbs. I took my release forms for the Duke study so that they could send my medical records to Duke. They also faxed the release form to the maternal fetal specialist I went and saw. I'm glad they were able to do that for me or else it would've been a big hassle! Carleigh's heart rate was good at 132 bpm. The bad news is I am still measuring small and I have fallen even further behind. Today at 33 1/2 weeks I am measuring 28.5 cm, which is 5 weeks behind. Dr. F offered an ultrasound if I wanted it now but I said no. At the time though I had added or subtracted (or whatever) wrong and thought I was only 3 weeks behind so I thought I was doing better so that's why I declined it. It wasn't until later today that I actually realized I was 5 weeks and not 3 weeks behind. I wish I would've took the ultrasound now. She does plan on getting one more at least so that is good. I have an appointment next Thursday so maybe we'll schedule it then.

We talked a little about delivery but not a lot. I've decided that I'm going to go ahead with a vaginal delivery. I know Anthony would rather I had a vaginal because he's worried something might happen to me with a c-section. Granted, it's not very likely but he still worries. A c-section would be less trauma on Carleigh's head but how much is really the question. I don't know how less traumatic it would be and there are no guarantees that with a c-section that she will live longer. It could help but then again it might not matter. Recovery for me with a vaginal would definitely be easier. It's a hard decision to make. There are pros and cons to both. With a vaginal I'd be able to have her in my arms immediately but I probably could with a c-section too given the circumstances. I know I'm more comfortable with having a vaginal delivery because I know what to expect since I've been through it before. The way I see it no matter what I choose I could always look back and say I wish I would've chose the other for one reason or another. If she ends up not living very long and I get a c-section I'll probably wish I would've had a vaginal so I could really hold her close and have her immediately. If I have a vaginal and she ends up not living long I'll wonder if a c-section could've prolonged her life. No matter what I'll always wonder if I made the right decision. For now though, my choice is a vaginal. Let's hope I don't regret it too much.

Tonight I need to update my birth plan to include the Duke study. Tomorrow I'm going to give Kathy, the manager of Mother Baby Care, a copy for the floor to have. I asked her today if they had received one yet and they hadn't. Updated copies will have to go to Dr. F and Dr. Z too. I'm also going to go over everything I have written down already and make sure it is something I still want. I believe a few things have changed.

OB Appointment #9

Today I had an OB appointment. I am currently 31 1/2 weeks. Just did the basics-weight, BP, pulse, pee in a cup. My weight is 118 lbs so I am up a little. Dr. F checked Carleigh's heartrate and it was great! She even kicked the doppler and she had to start over. I had to chuckle. I am still measuring small. My fundal height is 27.5 cm, which would equal me measuring about 4 weeks behind. (Fundal height should closely match your baby's gestational age. So, for example, if you're 24 weeks pregnant, your fundal height should be 24 cm.) I'm a little concerned that Carleigh might not be growing well but I'm going to wait until the next appointment to see if I stay the same or fall even further behind. IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) can happen with babies with anencephaly but other things can also cause it like abnormalities in the placenta. So if things aren't looking any better by the next appointment I think I may request an ultrasound. Although, it is hard to measure her size since they can't really do brain and head measurements. If Carleigh does have IUGR it may mean I would need to deliver her a little earlier than what I would want. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. I'm going to try and up my calorie intake to see if that will help at all. Let's just hope heartburn doesn't increase too.

OB Appointment #8

I had an OB appointment today and it went well (and quick!). I got in right away. My weight was 117.5 lbs (up 1.5 lbs from last appointment) and my BP was 80/60. Dr. F went over the usual-any swelling, pain, etc. I told her that yesterday I started having some back pain so she asked about that a little bit. I wasn't real concerned about it. I'd call it more discomfort than pain and I think it's probably how Carleigh is lying in there or just cause my belly is getting bigger. Carleigh's heart rate was good-it was 132 bpm. She kicked the doppler to show her displeasure of being disturbed. I'm still measuring small. I am 29 1/2 weeks and I am measuring 27.5 cm. Probably even a little less than that because Dr. F said she'd give me 27.5 cm. So until the next 2 weeks!

I am getting quite excited for tomorrow evening. Why you ask? Because I am getting my 3D/4D Ultrasound!!!! Woohoo!!!! I am getting it done at Envision Imaging in Columbus. I was wondering whether we'd be able to get it done tomorrow because they called the end of last week saying the technologist wouldn't be able to be there but luckily they were able to find someone else. We couldn't come in the other times they suggested for us. I called them today, too, to let them know that we'll be having more than 8 people attending the session. As of right now it will be me, Anthony, Kyndra, my parents, my sister Katrina and her daughter Audrey, Anthony's parents, Anthony's brother Todd and his girlfriend Taylor, and Anthony's sister Chantel. Whew! It should be an exciting time for all of us! For everyone, except me, this will be their first glimpse of Carleigh (besides any ultrasound photos). Please pray that Carleigh cooperates and we get good images!!!

OB Appointment #7

Today I had an ob appointment and the dreaded glucose test. Yuck! So I went up and drank the drink. Tasted like flat 7up, which is ok the first couple swallows but as you near the bottom it's not so fun. I had about 3 swallows left of it. The third to last swallow I managed to get down but I could feel my gag reflex working. The second swallow to last I got down and then I gagged and threw it back up-all over my hand, face, and carpet. Luckily, it wasn't very much (although it seems like it describing it). I asked if I had to do it all over again but they spared me and I managed to get the last swallow down. They took me in and got all my stats-weight (116), BP (88/58), and pulse (don't remember). I then did the usual pee in a cup, which was great because I had to go! I then went to my little room to wait for Dr. F. She must've been on the floor for a delivery because she had scrubs on. She asked the basics-swelling, pain, etc. None of that! Everything's good! (Except that annoying heartburn! Thank goodness for Zantac!) She found Carleigh's heart rate with the Doppler and it was beating strong at 140 bpm. Carleigh kept moving around so it was kind of hard to hear it at times. She measured my belly at for me being at 28 weeks it is 25 1/2 cm. So I am measuring behind but I did with Kyndra too so I'm not worried about that. Ideally my fundal height should be around 28 cm because height usually coincides with how many weeks you are. We're not going to get any ultrasounds or anything since I just had one about a month ago and everything looked good then (besides finding out about Carleigh's anencephaly). So then Dr. F left and I sat in the waiting room reading a magazine until the rest of my time was up for my glucose test. They brought me in and drew my blood. Good news! I passed my glucose test! Hooray! No, I didn't know right away. They called me later.

OB Appointment #6

Today I had my 6th OB appointment and my first since Carleigh's diagnosis. It went just fine. Got the usual stuff weight, BP, pee in a cup, etc. As for weight, I am still at 113 lbs (according to their scale). I have not gained any weight since my last appointment. I'm a little concerned about that. So I've only gained 4 lbs this pregnancy and I'm 25 weeks. Eeek! Hopefully next appointment I will have gained at least something. My BP was 102/60. I was yacking while she was taking so that's why I'm assuming it was over 100 because usually it's below that. I gave them my FMLA papers and Carleigh's birth plan for Dr. F. And then I went to my room.....and sat.....and waited. You know how it goes. Dr. F came in and asked how I was doing. "Ok," I said. She asked how the trip to Hawaii went and asked if I had any pain or swelling anywhere. Nope, none of that! She checked Carleigh's heart and it was beating strong! What a wonderful sound! She also measured me and I am measuring behind, which is no big surprise since I was the same way with Kyndra. Dr. F said that she wasn't going to do anything about it. By that she meant like ultrasounds and the like. When I measured small with Kyndra she ordered periodic ultrasounds to check her growth. That was fine with me. Also, she mentioned if we had to deal with preterm labor this time around that we probably wouldn't take measures to stop labor like with Kyndra and I wouldn't get the NSTs (non stress tests) like I did with her too. She asked if this was ok and I said that I wasn't sure. I don't know how I'm going to feel at that time if this would happen. Perhaps I would want them to stop my labor and maybe I would tell them not to do anything. I told her it's just something we'll deal with at that time if it should happen and she was fine with that. I also asked her when would be the best time to induce. She basically told me that we would do it whenever I wanted to. So I am going to carry Carleigh for as long as I can. I know that if I would happen to develop poly I could get VERY uncomfortable and there could be increased risks. In that situation I may consider inducing a little earlier but I would at least like her to be full term. But who knows what will happen. Dr. F said she would look over Carleigh's birth plan and she's also going to make a copy of it and forward it to MBC (Mother Baby Care).

OB Appointment #4

On Wed (11/12) I had my 4th OB appt and Thurs I turned 17 wks. Everything is going very well so far. My baby's heart rate was 148 bpm and Dr. F found it right away when she stuck the doppler on. I have gained 4 lbs so I am now up to 110 lbs. My last appt I hadn't gained or lost so I figure I am going to be on the gaining end from now on. I declined the quad screening. I had it done w/ Kyndra but I don't want it this time. I wasn't tested for anything this time around except for the AIDS blood test. I think that's always a good idea for me since I work at a hospital and can be exposed to blood borne pathogens. Of course I do not have AIDS-the test was negative and I had that done at my 1st appt. I haven't felt any movement but I'm sure that will be happening very soon! The good news is my appetite is back for the most part so that's prolly why I gained some weight. Anthony and I have decided on a name for our lil girl-Carleigh McKenna. We decided last night. We had already picked out Carleigh from our list we had made and we just needed to decide what her middle name would be. I had made a list of like 20 middle names for Anthony to pick from and then going thru the list once he narrowed it down to 8. Then he said that McKenna was the name he liked the most so it was final!

OB Appointment #3

Today I had my 3rd OB appt. I am 13 weeks along. My weight was 106, BP 90/60, and pulse 80. Everything is looking good! I declined the cystic fibrosis screening and the nuchal translucency US. I asked about getting my flu shot 1st week in Nov and I am good to go! She said as long as I'm not in the 1st trimester it is fine. By next appt I need to decide if I am going to do the Quad screening, which is for spina bifida, Down's syndrome, and Trisomy 18, and other defects. My baby's heart rate was good-it was 156. She also measured my uterus but there's not a whole lot to measure right now!

Work is going well for me. It's been kinda slow but no complaints there! I've kept my radiation exposure down pretty well but of course I'm not doing as many patients since I found out I about being preggo. My pregnancy is going well. I've been feeling great and my appetite is coming back so hopefully I'll quit losing weight. My belly is popping out faster this time around and I'm getting more symptoms earlier! No worries! I'm just hoping no problems w/ this pregnancy like the last time. This baby better behave. Anthony and I are currently deciding on names too.

OB Appointment #2

Today I had my 2nd OB appt and it went well and quick! Once Dr. F came in I was there only about 5 min. The other 25 min I took a lil nap while I waited for her. lol. She went over my US results from Sept 2, which I already knew of so nothing new there. All my blood tests were negative. So I don't have STDs or AIDS. I guess my BP was lower than the last time. No big surprise there. And I have lost a little weight. I'm down to 106 lbs from 109 lbs. Also no big surprise there.

She tried out the doppler and was able to find the heartbeat! How cool! It was about 180 bpm and music to my ears. My next appt will be Oct 16.

I'm pregnant!

I'm sure most of my friends know this by now but I wanted to write about it.

I found out on August 10 that I was pregnant with #2. We had been trying since June so it only took a month this time! Kyndra is 7 months so I figure w/ my due date being April 17, 2009 they should be about 16 months apart. I was very excited when I found out and I immediately told Anthony. He was mowing the lawn at the time so I stopped him and had him come to me and then I pulled the test out from behind my back and said we're gonna have a baby! I saw him smile. :) I called my bff and my sister and told them but we waited to tell our parents. I was gonna have a onesie made for Kyndra that said I'm gonna be a big sister and then see how long it took them to figure it out but I would've had to have it made so I just ended up telling them. My mom was excited and so was my dad. My mother-in-law was surprised! I've already declared my pregnancy at work and am taking precautions to lower my radiation exposure. I'm trying to inject and scan less patients.

I had my first OB appt yesterday and it went well. They took my BP (98/60), pulse, and weight (109). Peed in a cup and then went to my room to wait for my dr. My dr and I briefly went over my medical and family history since nothing has changed. We also talked over my last pregnancy and chit chatted some. I go to an office where it is just my dr and a few staff so I know them all pretty well. We went over not eating certain kinds of fish and other things to avoid. She also suggest the cystic fibrosis screening (which I declined my 1st pregnancy) and an AIDS test. Went ahead w/ the AIDS test but will decide w/ Anthony whether to do the CF screen. She also mentioned doing a nuchal scan around 11-13 weeks but that it is optional for me. She just recently started offering this hence why I wasn't offered it w/ my 1st pregnancy. She said it is something that may become standard. I wouldn't be able to do it at the hospital I work so I would have to either go to Dayton or Cincinnati to get it done. Anthony and I will discuss that too.

She did the routine pelvic and breast exams. Checked my eyes, mouth, and palpated my thyroid. She didn't do a Pap since I just had one like 6 months ago but did do the STD check and strep B. They drew about 5 vials of blood for tests. So far everything looks good! I have an US scheduled for Sept 2 to check dates. We are both pretty sure on my due date but I have irregular periods so she just wants to be sure. My next appt will be Sept 17.