Update on My Pregnancy

So, it's been a while...again. I finally gave my blog a fresh, new look to take it into winter, so now it doesn't feel out of season. Maybe I can stay better on top of it now that I feel like it's up-to-date in its look.

Today marks 35 weeks of pregnancy. It's hard to believe! I only have about five weeks left before our new bundle of joy will arrive, and we will have THREE blessings in our family. Darrin and I have tossed around names and just could not make up our minds. I leaned toward one name while Darrin leaned toward another. We finally came to a compromise, and our new baby boy is going to be called Micah Andrew. His initials will spell M.A.C. which is a little nickname we have been calling him for the three top names we had for a first name: Micah, Andrew, and Caleb. I am in love with the name Micah, and Darrin really likes Andrew, so we're using them both instead of a family name for the middle name as we have done in the past. So, it looks like MAC is going to stick, but that will be our little pet name for him around the house.

Almost three weeks ago I got to have a 4D ultrasound. We thought Micah was not going to cooperate because his back was actually facing us in the images, but he finally turned, and we got some decent shots. The tech offered to allow us to come back again since the fluid around his face was not as much as it could be, but by the time my next appointment was approaching, his head was settling down pretty low into my pelvis where the fluid was even less prominent. So, I just decided to cancel my second appointment and settle for the photos I did get, which weren't bad. In the first photo you can see his leg and knee pulled up to his face.




I also made the big decision to go for the VBAC. It was a difficult decision to switch doctors, but I really love my new OB, and with each visit the more I like him. I am getting really excited about trying for a VBAC as well. My doc told me the other day that he and another OB in the practice believe I am a PERFECT candidate. I pray all goes well and that my recovery will be smooth, especially with having two older children to care for in the meantime.

I am feeling pretty well lately. I get tired, so I take frequent rests, I'm on an Rx for acid reflux, but other than that I am feeling pretty good. I feel big, although I don't really look it. The baby is measuring small, although not small for my kids. Micah will probably weigh around 6 lbs. or so, right about on target with Rebekah, although smaller than Joshua. Of course, you never really know until the baby is delivered.

Rebekah is pretty excited about having a new baby in the house. She came up with some ideas that she can do to help out, such as dressing him and such. I am more concerned about Joshua. He is such a "Momma's Boy", cuddles a lot in my belly and chest, and wants to act like a baby himself sometimes. I know it will be harder on him, so I'm going to really try to focus on including him during feeding times and give him extra attention when his baby brother is sleeping.

I will close for now and return with updates on what the kids are doing these days. There's just too much to share in one post!

Please comment if you're still reading! I'm so sorry it's been a while since my last update. I hope to still have an audience with whom to share our adventures.

The Results Are In!!!

So, we went to see Dr. Brody this morning. I ended up taking Joshua too since he's over his fever. Rebekah, being the oldest, was particularly interested in the ultrasound machine. Dr. Brody got a great look at our baby who looks wonderful! The baby's spine and brain look great and the heart rate was really strong.



Stay tuned for more! :-)

First Trimester Ends

At 11 weeks 5 days on Monday we went to the doctor to see my baby via ultrasound and for a regular check-up. When we arrived I noticed Dr. B's sign-in sheet was not on the counter. He had left to deliver a baby, so I would be seeing one of the other two OB's in the office.

I had always heard good things about Dr. H from a friend who switched to him with her second child. He is a Christian, and he prays with his patients at delivery. Dr. B is a wonderful doctor. I've been very pleased with him. I know him well because he has delivered my other two children, and he understands my thyroid history as well. He is passionate about his job and grows to love each and every family and baby. I also love Dr. B's nurse. She is a precious woman, is comforting and encouraging to the patients, and she goes out of her way to help. She is really wonderful.

Since I had heard good things about Dr. H I hoped to see him that day, and it turned out I did. After being weighed I joined Darrin in a small waiting room where a painting was displayed on the wall. It depicted a surgery that was taking place, and Jesus was standing with the doctor overseeing the surgery. Scripture was found on the walls as well.

We finally got to see Dr. H. He has a very good bedside manner and did an ultrasound to see the baby. We could see him/her laying on his/her back with the legs tucked some and the arms out in front, then the baby turned to look toward us (or rather toward the tool used to take the picture).


The baby measured exactly 12 weeks (2 days ahead) and had a good, strong heartbeat.

One of the things that Dr. H discussed with us is a possible VBAC. He believes I am a prime candidate since I have only had one C-section, and the circumstances surrounding it make it promising for a vaginal birth this time around. He told me the chances of having the scar on my uterus open are 1-2% and the chances of a uterine rupture are 1-2% of the scar opening, so it's extremely small. Dr. B will not do a VBAC at all. He lost a baby once, and it devastated him. He just can't go through that again. I respect him for his decision, although if I could stay with Dr. B and have a VBAC I would. I had never considered a VBAC before because I knew Dr. B didn't perform them, but also because I was under the impression they were rather risky.

Now I have the decision whether to stay with Dr. B, who I absolutely love, and have another C-section or switch to Dr. H and opt for a VBAC. I had such a wonderful vaginal delivery with Rebekah while my C-section delivery with Joshua was not good. I dealt with the baby blues after Joshua's birth due to the emotional stress. The recovery from a C-section is also longer and harder. It's much more difficult when a toddler is in the mix who wants to topple on Mommy and doesn't understand there is an incision healing there. Another thing was that since Joshua's delivery (although not an emergency C-section) was hurried I had no time to pray with Darrin prior to my surgery. I felt that was sort of stripped from me. I know Dr. H would be quick to pray first and foremost before any action was taken. However, I was in great hands with Dr. B, and I'm sure I would be with Dr. H as well. I think one hard part is that I know Dr. B so much better too, and he took great care of me with my issues surrounding Joshua's birth.

I have not discussed any of this with Dr. B or his nurse yet. I am praying for wisdom and will talk to Dr. B at my next visit to discuss my situation. When you think of it would you lift me up in prayer as well? This may seem like such a minor decision, but I'm really struggling about what to do. I surely don't want to go with a VBAC just for my own personal experience or for selfish reasons, but for the healthiest thing for the baby and myself.

If you have any experience with this or know someone who has I would also love to hear stories - success or not. Ultimately, I need wisdom from the Lord and to know what is the best decision surrounding this pregnancy.

In addition, I have found that I cannot take Reglan for nausea during the day like I could when I was pregnant with Rebekah and Joshua. It makes me sleep! I cannot function during the day when I take it. So, I talked to Dr. H about taking something else. He prescribed Zofran. Let me tell you, even though our insurance will only cover 21 pills each month (even the generic is expensive!) that drug is wonderful!!! I took my first dose yesterday morning and felt great! It's crazy that if I fill it at a drug store that it costs $22 per pill, but if I pay cash at a local hospital's pharmacy I can get it for $1 per pill! A friend of mine said that is the kind of healthcare reform we need, and I agree! So for now I'll try to get by on the 21 pills per month. Thankfully I am not very sick every day, and hopefully it will be enough to get me through the rest of my pregnancy. I wish I had gotten this drug when I was pregnant with Rebekah and Joshua! It's great!

Meet Baby Church

Today, at 7 weeks 5 days, was my first appointment with Dr. Brody. We got to meet our newest addition to the family, hear the heartbeat, and solidify the due date. The baby measures almost 1 1/2 cm which confirmed the estimated due date to be March 17. Since I will have a repeat C-section the date will be bumped up to around March 8-9. Darrin's brother Derek was born March 9, so he may be sharing his birthday with his new niece or nephew.

Even though the shock is starting to wear off some I still couldn't believe that we were looking at a baby growing inside of me! It finally seemed real. After we got home I showed Rebekah the ultrasound picture. She is so proud! She carried off the picture to her chair, sat down, and just stared at it. She is going to do great with a new little baby in the house. She is always talking about the baby inside my tummy and asking if it's a boy or a girl. She's hoping for a sister, but I'm sure she'd enjoy another little brother as well.

I'm having some "morning sickness" again with this pregnancy. Some days I feel better than others, but the sickness has been worse this weekend. I now have some medicine to help fight the nausea, so I hope to feel better as a result. The main thing is to keep myself healthy and able to take care of the children.

Thanks for all the prayers! We are getting more and more excited about this baby. We are definitely entering another adventure as we prepare for a third little blessing.