Rewind

This is what has happened so far to the best of my memory and my records. This is pretty graphic. Don't read it if you don't like grossness. Also, don't judge me for my spelling (BRIAN). I can't find spell check.

Dr. Merrit confirms the pregnancy and says I'm due 5-24-09. Two weeks later Dr Darby (the ultrasound doctor) tells me that I am actually due 5-30-10.

One week after the u/s, Oct 22 (at 8 wks), I start spotting and having cramps. I just know that I am having another miscarriage. The nurse practitioner says everything looks fine. The baby has a strong heartbeat.

Four weeks later, Nov 14 (at 12 wks), I am spotting again. I have an exam and an u/s. No abnormalities are found. They can't figure out what's wrong. They think it's a boy.

Three weeks later, I have a good prenatal visit. Dr Merrit says I should be fine to travel to Alabama for Christmas even though I've had a couple of scares.

Dec 24 (17 wks), I start spotting. I'm at Mama and Daddy's house. It's late on Christmas Eve night. The on-call nurse tells me that I should go to an ER to be checked. We decide not to go since it seems just like every other time and the baby is kicking a lot. I've stopped spotting by the next afternoon.

Dec 30 (18 wks), I am spotting heavily with some blood. I see a doctor in Huntsville. They think they see a subchorionic hematoma on u/s. It's a boy!

Jan 4 (19 wks), Misty (nurse practitioner) says my cervix is still closed but that I should have an u/s by Dr Darby this week. Jan.8, Dr Darby cannot find a SCH. Baby measures average for his gestational age. My cervix is long and closed. It is definitely a boy.

Jan 18 (21 wks), I have pinkish blood. No cramps this time but the nurse still wants to see me. I have an infection. They think this is completley unrelated to the past scares.

Jan 22 (21 wks), I have some Braxton Hicks during the day. I start bleeding heavily around 7pm. I pass a large blood clot. I call the nurse crying. She says go to the hospital immediately. We spend about 6 hours in labor and delivery being monitored and examed. Everything looks fine. I have a few small contractions that show up on the monitor but not alarming. They send me home and I continue to bleed for about a day.

Jan 26 (22 wks), I'm spotting again. The nurse tells me to come in. Dr Darby thinks my cervix may be shortening. It is now 2.5 cm which is "on the low side". He wants to see me again in 2 weeks. I have to take it easy. No strenuous exercise. I can still pick up Luc and do normal "light" activities.

Jan 29 (22 wks), after a day of resting, I am spotting again. I tell the nurse it isn't much but they want to see me. Of course, Dr Merrit and Dr Darby are both out of the office. The u/s tech says my cervix is now 3 cm but it may be funneling (openning from the inside). Misty sends me immediately to the maternal fetal specialist, Dr Destefano. Dr DeStefano cannot find funneling. She does find "blood pooling" on the umbilical cord. She wants to keep an eye on this because it is very close to the umbilical cord. She breifly dicusses the risk of preterm labor and tells me that IF I go full term she will not let me go beyond 37 weeks. She wants to see me again in a few days. She tells me to take it easy (pelvic rest and no strenuous activities). I leave very worried. I can't find anything online about "blood pooling". I do find a lot of information about SCH that sounds like my situation and it is really scary.

Feb 1(23 wks), no bleeding or spotting but I feel horrible. My sinus problems are so bad that I've been throwing up for the past couple of days. Ugh it's miserable. I talk to Dr Zapalac (ENT) on the phone. He thinks the one round of antibiotics didn't fully get rid of the chronic sinus infection. He consults with Dr Merrit. They decide to give me another round of Amoxicillin and start me on a round of steriods.