Monday, March 29, 2010

One Last Update... for Now

While I was waiting for the week to pass until my next blood work, we hit a little bump in the road. I had a miscarriage last Saturday the 20th. We were at the Supercross at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington (way cool facility by the way) when I started to get really really bad cramps. They were so bad that I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. They went away after a while, and shortly after I realized that something might be really wrong. The paramedics at the Stadium suggested that I get to the hospital to get checked out because they were pretty sure I had experienced a miscarriage.

On the way out of the stadium we went down thru this special elevator and saw Ralph Sheheen and Jeff Emig (the announcers for the Supercross when it's on TV, usually SPEED). Jeff Emig was also a Supercross champion in the 90's, so that was pretty neat to see. Anyway, they got me out of there quick, and after making an interesting drive out to a nearby gas station in the snow in a golf cart (that's as far as they could take us to get to the car which was parked about a half mile away), we were off to the hospital (by the way, Randy and Russell were awesome for getting out in the snow and getting the car super quick to get back to the gas station to get Patti and me).

So at the hospital, they did some blood work, a couple of different exams, and two sonograms to see if there was anything to see. There was nothing to see on the sonograms anymore, and the blood work came back with my levels being back down around 400 again. They pretty much confirmed the miscarriage and told me to stay on bed rest until I could get to my normal doctor. I went in and they did another pregnancy test to see if I had anymore hormones to detect anything. It came back negative, so my body pretty much took care of everything itself.

I was super down about everything at first, but I've had time to accept it. We know that everything happens for a reason, and God has a plan for us. Personally, I've come to believe that He gave me a second chance to get into shape before I get pregnant again (I definitely needed the motivation hehe). Any who, although we weren't really trying for babies at first, we definitely want to now. We can start trying in a couple of months, and can't wait for more good news! :)

Thanks for reading along, and hopefully it won't be too long before the next update.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Second Blood Work Update and First Sonogram

Yesterday was a bit stressful for us.

My nurse called me with my second blood work results and said that my blood pregnancy level had not gone up like it should have. It was only at 750 and should have been well above 3,000 if things were going up as planned. Since they weren't, she wanted me to come in for a sonogram so that they could look and see what was going on. They were thinking that it could be an ectopic pregnancy (not inside my uterus/inside one of my fallopian tubes), which would be very bad news. The baby cannot survive under those circumstances and if it ruptures, it can kill me.

I went to my sonogram at 3:30 yesterday afternoon and first, they tried out the normal sonogram where they put the little probe thing on my stomach to try and see the baby. They couldn't find anything on top, so they had to do an internal sono to try and see it. There, they saw the little sack, but could not see anything developing in it yet. My nurse previously told me that we wouldn't be able to see any baby on the sono until my blood levels were over 2,000. The good news is that the sono tech saw the sack inside my uterus, and not inside one of my tubes. So yay for that! :)

They told me that they'd like for me to get more blood work in a week to see where my levels are as of then and we will go from there. They told me to stay positive, and that I just may be really early in my pregnancy still. If you catch your pregnancy too early, sometimes you are kind of in limbo and waiting on all of this information. I still feel great and am not experiencing any bad symptoms, so everything should be fine.

Keep us in your prayers and I'll update again soon!

Monday, March 15, 2010

Blood Work Update

My nurse called today and told me that she got my blood work back from my last appointment on the 11th. She told me that my blood pregnancy level was only at 486, which means I could be earlier in my pregnancy than they thought. It could also mean early signs of a miscarriage, but she said that if I'm not experiencing any other symptoms of that nature, that I should be fine and not to worry. I feel great for the most part, except for a few stomach aches here and there, so I'm not going to worry about it. Going to stay positive!

I made another appointment for this Wednesday morning to redo my blood work to see where my blood pregnancy level is after that. It needs to be over 2,000 in order to see anything on a sonogram, which I have scheduled for next Tuesday. The nurse told me that the number is supposed to double every 48 hours in a perfectly normal situation, but our bodies don't always do exactly what they are supposed to do. If mine is doing exactly what it's supposed to, by Wednesday it should be well over the 2,000 mark and I should be on schedule for my sono. I hope so because I already think I have to wait too long to get one :)

Friday, March 12, 2010

Six Weeks Six Days

After going to the doctor yesterday, we found out that as of today I am at 6 weeks and 6 days pregnant! The appointment went well and consisted of a LOT of paperwork and finding out family history, consenting to all of the procedures that I'll be going through and some blood work. The said that my due date will stay at October 30 for now, and if it changes by more than a week they will adjust it when I get a little further along. Russell was probably bored, but I'm glad he was there :)

I got a little packet of all kinds of good info that I need to read through and some prenatal vitamins and good things like that. My next appointment is set for March 23 where we will get to see our first sonogram! I'm super excited about that one :) Then the next appointment will be on March 30 where I'll have my first appointment with my doctor.

More updates to come!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

First Appointment

Today is our first doctor's appointment. We will be going in to do some blood work and a few other tests I think in order to determine how far along I am. I can't wait!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Exciting News!

Russell and I found out last night at about 7:15 pm that we were expecting! We decided to take a pregnancy test, but really didn't think that it would be positive. When it was time to go in and check out the results, we were both suprised to see that plus sign. Just in case it was a fluke, I took another one of a different brand, and we played the waiting game again. After waiting a couple of minutes, we went back to check and there they were. Those two pink lines! Russell gave me a huge hug and we both just kind of stared at each other in disbelief and happiness.

I made an appointment today and we will be going to our first doctor visit on Thursday the 11th. The nurse gave me an estimated due date of about October 30, but that could change as I get some tests and ultrasounds done. We are both so excited, and I've been antsy all day long. I just want to tell all of our family and friends, but we are going to wait a couple of days.

Russell sent me a link to www.babycenter.com where I found out what all our little baby has accomplished so far in the development process. It's pretty crazy. So far, hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs, although they look more like paddles at this point. Technically, it is still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of its tailbone. Also, the baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long. Eyelid folds partially covering its peepers are developing, which already have some color, as well as the tip of its nose and tiny veins beneath parchment-thin skin. Both hemispheres of its brain are growing, and its liver is churning out red blood cells until the bone marrow forms and takes over this role. The little guy/girl also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. A loop in its growing intestines is bulging into the umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from its tiny body.

It's kind of crazy to me to comprehend that there is a little bitty life growing inside of me, but I am so excited to learn more and more every week about what is growing next and what our little one is going to look like. I'll do my best to keep everyone updated on our progress and post as many pictures as I can. Love y'all!