First thing is first...all is still well! It's still crazy to me that we are this far along. I never really thought that I'd get to write about a 33rd week appointment - especially after having contractions starting at 16 weeks.
So, we are done with internals :-) They are no longer worried about my cervix...which truthfully I've had pure faith in the TAC (when it comes to cervix length) since we passed the 24w mark. So, I have no idea what my cervix looks like now - but I figure it's still around the 5.6cm mark :-) We did check that the little girl was practicing her breathing and that she was moving around "adequately". The tech actually said if she could give her a higher score for movement, she would! She moved a ton during the ultrasound.
The main point of discussion with my OB was "when". When will we schedule the c-section? When will I be taken off the terb? When are we "safe"? These were questions that he posed to his partners (about 4 other OBs) since I am not a normal case. His answer surprised me...and excited me...at first. The answer to all three is 35-36weeks. Yep, that's just 10 days away now...and we have to decide what date we want to schedule for.
So, now I'm having emotions similar to "buyer's remorse" if that makes any sense. I have totally been wanting her to be here...I want to see her...we are to a "safe" point in the pregnancy. However, it's completely different when they ask us to PLAN for her to be that early rather than it just happening. It's like I'm planning on having a preemie - and that's scary. I don't want to be responsible for her spending time in the NICU - though, the NICU is nothing compared to what we've already been through (I think). And the info that I can find on 35weekers is all over the board - some spend no time in the NICU and come home with mom, others spend up to 20 days working on breathing and feeding issues.
So, the point of all this is that our little girl will be here in 10-16 days. I feel like there are a million things to do, but I have no idea what they all are!!
9 comments:
WOW!!!!!
How exciting and scary, all at the same time. All I can say is, keep her in there for as long as you can.
But I'm not a doctor, and my experience is different from yours, and you know all this anyway. :-)
I'm excited for you!
you've done an AMAZING job and while i'm sure you're scared to have a preemie, you're right...it will be "easy" in comparison to what you've already experienced.
and my guess is that she will be just fine! girls are MUCH better preemies :)
cant wait to hear about her arrival...thinking of you!
i'm so excited for ya'll...you must feel absolutely amazing right now.
first date that came to mind is 07/08/09.
I'm so happy that you've made it so far.
I have to say though, that from my experience, having a preemie was much harder than loosing the boys. Again, Lily was born at 31 weeks so she was a lot earlier, but having a preemie is not a walk in the park. At least with the boys, it was over and I could start healing. With Lily in the NICU though, every night I would go to sleep and wake up wondering if she died while I was sleeping. I would pump night and day for a baby that desperately needed my milk but wasn't there to feed. I had to look at pictures and take her blanket home to induce let down. It wasn't fun and most of the 22 days she was there I cried all day except when I was with her. Like Virginia said, keep her in there as long as you can! Also, what most people don't realize is that it's not just breathing issues. Babies don't learn to suck-swallow-breathe until 35 weeks or so.
Sorry, I don't mean to sound all crazy because I really am excited for you. But just like you, I'm sure, I feel the need to protect other's from going through what I've gone through. Knowing what I know now, next time around I'm going to risk the uterine rupture and deliver at 37 or 38 weeks regardless of the doctors recomendations. I guess that won't matter if I don't get that far though : ) But that's the plan anyway! I feel like I know my body well enough that I could probably perform my own c-section at this point!
Sorry again if I sound like a bitch or anything. That's not how I want to come across...it's just...I don't want anyone to think that the NICU is a walk in the park compared to loosing a baby. I don't want you or your baby to have to fight like that.
I do forget, though, did you get steroid shots? If yes, I can say that my girl friend's daughter was born at 35w6d and she went home with them. I do think that a good majority of them do, but there are still some babies who go to the NICU at 41 weeks. They told me that 70% of babies have mature lungs at 36 weeks.
Good luck and I'm always reading I just don't have a lot of time to comment!! I'm anxiously awaiting a birth story and I'm thrilled that you're so close to that magnificent moment!
Holy moly! This is so exciting, but I can see how it's causing anxiety. I know you didn't ask, but I'm going to give you my two cents...I'd keep her in there for as long as you can. That would give you time to prepare a little more, time for it all to settle in, and more time for her to bake. Time is the key word.
I so wish I was there with you. I am thrilled beyond belief and I want to borrow your TAC (when you're done with it, of course :-)
This is great news! It will be so amazing when you meet your little one for the first time. If the doc thinks 10-16 days is good, then it sounds good to me.
I feel like I have had the privilege of watching your dreams come true. You deserve this happiness. Thanks for sharing the good, the bad and the ugly with all of us.
xoxo
I'm sure you're scared but I can't imagine they would recommend taking her any earlier than they thought was safe.
On another note...EEeekkk! You're going to meet your precious little girl soon! SO EXCITING!!
I'll be thinking about you and sending lots of healthy baby vibes. :)
You've made such great progress and you will be bringing a healthy baby girl home soon. So exciting! Thinking of you!
Wow. The time has come! I am so very excited for you. I don't blame you at all for still being worried. I don't know your situation, I would assume you are trying to keep her in there for as long as possible as long as it is SAFE for you to remain pregnant. I'm sure they will do an amnio to check for lung development and give the baby steroids. Good luck with all of this! I can't wait to see pictures of your little girl!
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