While on bedrest...

Kim came to the hospital and retaught me how to crochet. I have made a few things since I've been sitting so much. I don't have a picture of my first blanket. It's pretty funny. It turned out to be pyramid shaped. It wasn't square at all. Luc uses it for Curious George now. I also made a beanie that will be too small for any child of ours. George wears it as well. Here are some other things I've made.

diaper cover

newborn hat

still working on a granny square blanket

this was supposed to be a striped blanket

baby legs...not for Luc but he wanted to wear it

30 week update

I credit all this good news on the prayers we've gotten. Both of my doctors had very little positive thinking about this pregnancy. It is crazy to think that 6 weeks ago, they thought they would be delivering this baby any day. Now, 30 weeks later, they are amazed that everything looks so good.

The baby is growing perfectly...or a little too well. He is big for his gestational age. He weighs about 3 lbs 12 oz...of course this measurement can be a little off. His belly is in the 90th percentile and his head is in the 60th. I kind of wonder if his large belly has anything to do with the pound cake, peanut butter balls, cookies, and candy I've been eating.

I have gained a whopping 30 lbs now. Dr Meritt said "hum, you've put on a few pounds huh". The placenta now looks normal. The subchorionic hemmorage/venus lake thing was not seen today. Dr DeStefano does not see any blood behind the placenta where the separation occured.

I am now off bedrest. Dr DeStephano said that I can gradually do more and more. She said I can even go for walks so that I can get some exercise. She didn't tell me anything that I can't do. For now, I'm still not going to carry Luc around or do anything really strenuous though. As for now, they will induce early though probably around 38 weeks. I am completely fine with that as long as he'll be healthy.

No news is good news

I haven't posted in a while. I agree with the saying "no news is good news". I have no new news. The baby and I are growing...very large. He is very active. I have not had any problems since I've been home.

I'm definitely enjoying being able to do more. I'm still taking it easy though. I spend a lot of time on the couch with my feet proped up. I have been slowly getting back to doing more. I have had several electric wheelchair rides at stores. I've also been hanging out at the pool this week with my mom and sister. I'm tanning this huge belly. I'm sure the people that live around the pool look out their windows and laugh histerically. I'm sure it's pretty funny to see a huge white belly shining bright out there.

I go back to both doctors on Monday. I'll update again then.

As the belly grows...

I stole this idea from a friend. Thanks for the idea Kristen!

Here I am getting bigger and bigger and bigger.

That's 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 20 weeks, 24 weeks, and 28 weeks.

Weekly dr update

We made it to the magical 28 weeks! We're both still going strong! I got good reports from both Dr Meritt and Dr DeStefano today. I love sharing these good news reports.

Dr Meritt checked my cervix which is still closed and thick. She said that she is so happy that I've had no more problems. She feels like it is a resolved issue. She thinks/hopes that I will likely continue with the pregnancy without any more complications.

Dr DeStefano said everything looks really good on u/s. The baby is definitely growing as he should...maybe a little too good. I'm glad that she won't let me go all the way to my due date. He's probably going to be a big boy. He is still getting adequate blow flow through the umbilical cord. He is "practicing breathing" really good. She checks that by watching the baby's diaphram move like it should when breathing air. The subchorionic hematoma is barely visible. There is no blood around the placental abruption indicating that it is not an active abruption right now. With all that said, this does not mean that nothing will happen for sure. There could still be a chance that something bad could happen but that risk is decreased tremendously.

So, for the best news ever....they both said to lighten up on the bedrest. Dr Meritt actually thinks it will be a good idea to be a little more active. I've already gained 25 lbs. She was a bit surprised when I brought this to her attention. She isn't too worried but said it would be good if I could move around a little more. So, I can drive again, walk a little more, go places as long as it doesn't require excessive walking (Target electronic wheelchair here I come), and best of all, I can take care of Luc by myself and do some cooking and cleaning (although Brian will still have to continue strenuous household chores such as vaccuming). Brian asked her if I could go lift some weights tonight and she quickly said "NO". haha And as long as I have no problems between now and then, I will only see them every other week now.

I didn't get any pictures of the baby today. He was being very stubborn. As soon as she started scanning, he flipped over with his face to my back. Here's a picture of my growing body though. Can you tell I'm a bit tired? You really don't realize how exhausting just a trip to the doctors office is until you've been sitting for 5 weeks. And BTW, you pregnant friends of mine, this is the most comfortable dress ever. I highly recommend comfy dresses like this on warm weather days. I wish I had one for each day of the week.

Weekly doctor visits

I saw Dr Meritt on Monday. She was pleased to see that I am still doing well and not having any problems. She told me that if I continue doing so well for a couple more weeks, she and Dr DeStefano would probably lighten up on the bedrest.

Today, I saw Dr DeStefano. Everything looks great. This sweet baby is measuring large...with a large head (glad I'm not going to my due date). He is approximately 2 lbs, 9 oz which places him in the 60th percentile for 27 wk, 3 day babies. The subchorionic hematoma looks like it is getting smaller. The area where the placenta has separated from the uterine wall looks the same. She also said that if I go another couple of weeks without any problems then I will be able to be a little more active. That would be great.

His face is smooshed against the placenta here but he was openning and closing his mouth.

His nose is smooshed.

How do I rotate pictures?

I asked Dr DeStefano about the duration of the pregnancy. When I first began having all the complications, she said that she would not let me go past 37 weeks. Then, when I had all the bleeding, she said that I wouldn't even make it to 34 weeks. Now, she said that IF the baby and I continue to look good further in pregnancy, she MAY let me go to 38 weeks. They don't want to take the chance of anything happening especially that late since the placenta is weaker than normal. She originially said 37 weeks because that is the earliest that a baby is considered full term. So, as long as he will be healthy when he is born, I will be happy that I won't have to birth another big headed baby.