July baby update

July 1st was our first Dr. visit. Brian came with me like the good man he is. We waited forever as usual and were finally called back to the doctors office. What a blessing because I knew I'd have to take another "test" and I had to go, got to go, got to go right now! I was doing the " I have to pee dance all they way out of the waiting room!"

I took the test and met Brian in the room while we waited for the Dr. We both knew all the tests previously taken still showed positive but the fear still rested in the back of our heads. By my calculations I would be 5 weeks exactly and this was always the time in which the pregnancy would come to an end and the pregnancy would fail. So, as excited as we were, we were also in a state of fear.

The moment Dr. Kil came into the room he congratulated both of us. Then it was down to business. Dr. Kil checked me over and instantly decided on a treatment plan...

I'll take a brief moment to fill those of you in who do not know, this is our 4th pregnancy. Prior to this child we had 3 early miscarriages. Dr. Kil is a highly recommended OB in the area. He along with the most normal of pregnancies, specializes in high risk pregnancies. I have attended his practice since we moved to VA. I was introduced to him by Laurie (a very close friend here in VA). He has delivered several of her 6 (yes, I said 6) children. He has great bedside manners and is incredibly thorough.

Back to the treatment plan. Due to the prior miscarriages, Dr. Kil instructed to us to come to him immediately if we ever received a positive test so that he could start me on Progesterone. One of the problems Dr. Kil suspected of my earlier pregnancies, was that he thought the baby was not implanting properly and Progesterone was something he could give me even if my body had enough. Backing up again, almost a year ago, Dr. Kil had ran many tests on me. The one to test Progesterone levels could not be performed with out a invasive procedure. Dr. Kil advised that whether the Progesterone levels were a problem or not, he could prescribe it to me. If my body had enough, it would not absorb any more. If it needed more, then my body would accept it.

WARNING...TMI!!!!


The Progesterone prescribed was a vaginal suppository, it had to be taken once in the morning and once at night. Therefore, Brian became doctor and our morning and evening medicine routine began. Brian usually would get up for work and leave around 4:30 am. He would prepare my morning dose for me and bring it to me in bed. I'd take my medicine, get another hour or two of sleep and then get up for the morning. Our nightly routine was very similar except he'd tuck me into bed and I'd take my medicine before barely falling asleep. The medicine required me to lay down for about 30 min so that it could absorb, and I'll leave it at that.

Along with the Progesterone, the doctor gave me about 12 different prenatal vitamins to try. I spent the next few weeks determining which I preferred. My next visit was scheduled for July 14th, 3 weeks later.

In the 3 weeks between doctors visits I narrowed my prenatal choice down to one. I picked it because it had (per all the information I had read) all the right levels of vitamins and nutrients and it did not make me any more sick then I already was on a regular basis.

July 14th came quickly. We were scheduled to have our first ultra sound and both were nervous and excited. We knew being only 7 weeks there was a possibility of not being able to see the baby or the heartbeat. After meeting with a few nurses who provided me information on the 1st trimester of pregnancy we were called back to the ultra sound room. I changed and met Brian and the nurse in the room. The nurse that was running the ultra sound was the same nurse who had seen us in the past. I wanted to scream. I had so many emotions running through me I just didn't know how to separate them all. As I layed on the table the nurse explained to me that due to only being 7 weeks there is a chance we will not see or hear the baby. She attempted to comfort us by explaining it would not mean something was wrong, it just may be too early.

The last time I laid on that same table, in the same room, it was during our most recent miscarriage. I remember hearing the same speech from the nurse last time. Except last time I remember her saying everything was going to be ok and maybe it was not a miscarriage, but I knew deep down inside, and my body knew. This time was different, nothing seemed wrong but I still had that fear, it was an chilling feeling that filled the room. Brian was right next to me holding my hand. Together, the three of us (me, Brian and the nurse) took a deep breath, it was just seconds but felt like hours and there our little spec was on the screen. Right away you could see the baby, it's little heart beating...instantly I began to cry. It was such a special moment I will never forget. So many times we had been in this same position, only to see a blank screen and no heart beat, only to have tears of sadness and this time, there was no sadness. It was special to not only have Brian there but the nurse who finally got to share in our joy instead of sorrow. We (Brian and I) dried our eyes while the nurse completed taking the ultra sounds and taking photos.

It was confirmed, there was a little "speck", it's heart beating so fast and strong. We could finally share the news with the Grandparents. At this point due to the past we decided to only tell our parents and my sister. We would tell others when further along. On the ultra sound pictures, the nurse typed 'Hi Grandma" and on a separate photo, "Hi Grandpa".

After the ultra sound we met with Dr. Kil. He was happy with all the stats. My health and the baby's health were good. Dr. Kil (again due to the past) decided it was time that he put me on Lovenox. This is a blood thinner. He prescribed the blood thinner to insure the baby would receive adequate blood supply. Again, I'll back up for a moment. Prior testing was done on both Brian and myself. It was determined that on one of my chromosomes I carried a clotting disorder. Essentially, I tested negative because the disorder is only on one of my chromosomes not both. Dr. Kil felt it to be a risk enough that we should not take a chance and treat for the disorder.

For this reason, Dr. Kil has prescribed me with Lovenox one time a day. This is an injection that I have to give my self in my tummy. I have to alternate sides after each injection. Now, for those of you who know me, I would assume you would have your jaw laying on your keyboard in shock. I FREAKING HATE NEEDLES!!! Nothing like having one of your biggest fears stare you in the face. I quickly realized my first lesson of motherhood. It is the most simple lesson that you will do anything for the health of your child. So our medicine routine changed a bit. In the morning just the Progesterone and at night, Progesterone, prenatal vitamin and injection.

Our next visit was July 28th. This visit was our Perinatologist, Dr. Issada. Dr. Kil referred us to him due to my "high risk" status. I met with Dr. Issada's nurses. What an amazing office. The nurses discussed being high risks and my restrictions. They then took Brian and I back for our ultra sound. The specialist is so great because we get ultra sounds on really high tech machines. This time we go to see our little bean, the bean was standing on its head (we are hoping this is not an indication of how rambunctious our child will be). Dr. Issada then came in and reviewed all the information gathered on me and the baby. Everything looked good to him and he agreed with Dr. Kil's treatment plan.

The next day, July 29th, we met with Dr. Kil. He reviewed Dr. Issada's notes and checked me and the baby over and sent me on my way. Our next visit with Dr. Kil and Dr. Issada was scheduled for August 25th after entering the 2nd trimester.

Overall, the first trimester went smoothly. I always said I would not complain because having a little one is something Brian and I always wanted. I will however say, it has gone smooth in that both baby and I are in good health, but I will not lie, it has not been the slightest amount of fun. For the whole first trimester and then some, I had all day sickness, not just morning sickness. Nothing tasted, smelled or looked good. I ate very small, random meals. Anything I could eat, I ate in attempts to keep my tummy settled and food down and in my tummy. Brian and I were able to get in quite a routine as far as my meds are concerned. I have scanned in the photos of our first two ultra sounds. The photos are hard to see and I don't expect anyone to be able to figure them out. The second ultra sound photos you can make out the beans head, torso and bum, there is a black patch over it's face...of course this is only on the photos they picked to print for us. Mom says the baby is in the witness protection program. Mom has also nicknamed the baby "sloopy" and sings the "hang on sloppy song". It's her little nickname. Others call Baby Rapp, speck, bean, and some are picking their gender choice.