We scheduled our OB appointment to be at 8 1/2 weeks gestation based on my last cycle. I had some spotting right at about 7 1/2 weeks so I went in a few days early. During my ultrasound, we only saw a "fetal pole"; there was no heartbeat. I was sure of when my cycle had been, so we thought that I might be miscarrying. The tech made sure to tell me that the baby's sac looked normal for about 5 1/2 weeks gestation. My doctor said we were going to do bloodwork and we wouldn't do anything until I had another ultrasound a week later. He said at that point we should definitely see a heartbeat.
When I went back a few days later for my second round of blood work, one of my hormone levels was very low. I was told that typically with a progesterone level of 6, a pregnancy was not viable; we were still waiting for the ultrasound that next week.
I went in for the ultrasound and everyone seemed very serious. The tech asked me if I wanted to know what she saw or if I wanted to wait for the doctor. I told her I would be able to tell and she started the ultrasound. We were all surprised when we saw a beautiful tiny little blob with a flicker right in the center. My sweet baby was alive and her little heart was beating strong.
I was put on medicine for my low progesterone levels and told to come back for my originally scheduled 1st appointment just a few days later. I did this and met with my favorite Dr in the practice, Dr. J. He said we had to talk about my blood work. Apparently during my last pregnancy, the one with Brayden, I was sensitized to something that he carried on his red blood cell. This "antigen" was something my body didn't carry so my body then formed antibodies to fight it off. He informed me I had the "Big E" antibody. The way they measure the danger of the antibody is called a titer level. The higher the titer, the more dangerous for the baby I am currently carrying. The antibodies in my blood have the potential to cross the placenta and break down the red blood cells of any baby who also carries the Big E antigen, like Brayden did. I was told that my pregnancy was now considered high risk. They say the critical titer (the point where the refer you to a specialist) is 1:16. Mine was 1:32, so we were told that we would be meeting with the perinatologist.
We met with the peri for the first time at 16 weeks. We had an hour and a half long ultrasound. It was at that point we found out our sweet little baby was a GIRL. I was absolutely over the moon. Brian was, too. We felt like a little girl would complete our family perfectly. We also found out all of the risks that were associated with my E antibody. We were told that at 20 weeks we would have specialized ultrasound of the baby's brain to make sure she wasn't becoming anemic, which is the danger of the antibody. The wait from 16-20 weeks was the hardest.
At my 20 week apt. I had the MCA doppler scan (Middle Cerebral Artery Doppler scan); she looked absolutely perfect. There were no signs of anemia. The tech was doing routine measurements when she noticed that my cervix was shortened. She had the doctor come in and they determined that it was less than half of what it should be. I was told at that point that I would be on (what I thought was) strict bed-rest for the remainder of my pregnancy. I was sent to the hospital for monitoring to make sure I wasn't contracting. I didn't seem to be, so I was sent home. My church family was amazing. They set up a meal train for my family and organized childcare for the kids. I was being seen weekly for cervical measurement and MCA scans. My cervix was 2.3 when I was put on bed-rest. It didn't seem to change much the next week at my apt.
When I was right at 22 weeks, I was having consistent cramping. Dr. J happened to be on call when I called the after hours line. He wanted me to come in, just to make sure everything was okay. When I got to the hospital, I wasn't contracting and my cervix was 2.0. It really hadn't changed much. I was sent home and knew I went to the perinatologists office 2 days later. During that appointment, we first saw that our little girl was showing no signs of anemia; I then found out that I only had 1 cm left of cervix. I was devastated. I was told that I would be heading to the hospital for the remainder of my pregnancy. I was admitted to the high risk unit and was allowed to use the restroom and shower every few days. I received steroid shots for the baby a few days later.
A week and a day after I was admitted, I went downstairs for an ultrasound. It was here that I learned I had no measurable cervix left and was about a fingertip dilated. I was sent to labor and delivery to be put on the magnesium drip, because they had seen contractions on my ultrasound. This drug is known to be awful. It definitely wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, either. Luckily I was transferred back upstairs after 24 hours. I was then put on the real version of strict bed rest, bed pans included (ICK). I was also put in the Trendelenberg position, which is when the bed is tilted so that your feet are above your head. I held steady here for a couple of weeks.
On Oct 3 I felt really crampy. I wanted to talk to a doctor, but there was a miscommunication and my nurse couldn't get ahold of them. I took medicine and felt better, so I told my nurse I thought I was ok. I slept pretty well that night and woke up the next morning to be monitored for contractions and to make sure baby's heart rate was good. Right when they were about to put me on the monitor I felt my bed get really warm and wet. I knew my water had broken and I felt panic wash over me. I was quickly rushed back to labor and delivery to get an iv started with antibiotics and fluids. I still wasn't showing consistent contractions on the monitor and wasn't in active labor. I was told that we were going to keep baby girl in until we showed signs of infection or until they couldn't stop labor. I was able to go back "home" to the 3rd floor high risk unit.
2 days later my temperature started to climb and my heart rate went up. Cohen's heart rate started to climb as well. I was sent back downstairs again for monitoring. This is when I started to feel contractions. I was having them every 5-6 minutes, but they weren't painful. My temperature and heart rate started to g back down, along with Cohen's, so they thought I was going to last longer. I told them I was contracting every few minutes, but they weren't showing up on the monitor. The nurse said my uterus was just irritable. I knew that wasn't the case. My doctor checked me and I was only a cm dilated, so once again, I was sent upstairs. I arrived upstairs at about 9 pm and informed my nurse that contrary to what she had been told by the Labor and Delivery nurse, I was contracting. I told her I was going to try to get some sleep, but be ready for me to call her. I woke up at about 5 am to a couple of very painful contractions. I was put on the monitors and my contractions were now measuring every 3-4 minutes. My doctor tried to give me a large dose of fluid, but it did nothing. My contractions were painful and the baby's heart rate was high again. My perinatologist and doctor came in to tell me that I would be having my baby girl shortly. I was once again, devastated. I was only 26 weeks and 1 day. We had no idea what would happen to Cohen. We were both terrified. My doctor went ahead and checked my cervix right before she performed the C-Section and I was 3-4 cm dilated. There was no doubt that I was in labor, so we at least felt like we were doing the right thing. Cohen was born weighing 1 lb. 14.7 oz. She was 13 3/4 inches long and her apgars were 5 and 7. I didn't get to see her (I was fine with that, as long as they were taking care of her). She was intubated and stabilized and then transferred to the Level III NICU.
I was able to see her on my way to my room and could not believe how small she was. It is truly hard to even fathom. She was absolutely perfect though. I kept thinking about how perfectly we are created. I kept praising and thanking God for her. I knew it would be a long road, but I felt like God was going to give Brian and I strength one day at a time.
I will continue to update about our baby every few days. I know there are a lot of people that care about her and we feel and appreciate the prayers more than we will ever be able to express to anyone. We want to make sure people are able to stay up to date. Thank you again for the support!
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