Back Story to Present

About three weeks ago I had heavy bleeding and was told to go to the ER. I had an ultrasound and was told that part of my placenta was detached and to follow up with my doctor. I was on strict bed rest and told this was something they would need to monitor throughout my pregnancy.  The next day I followed up with my OB and she wanted an in depth sonogram by a perinatologist.

The next day I went to the specialist and was told I had no sign of a tear in the placenta, no signs of the bleeding!!! We were shocked. I only had to stay in bed for the rest of the week and then I could resume normal activities! Better than we could have hoped for!

I followed orders and stayed in bed for the rest of the week. Family and friends helped so much and we received so many prayers on our behalf. I had my 19 week ultrasound scheduled on the Monday I could resume normal activities and was tempted to cancel it, we had just seen baby boy (Caleb) and all was well. Since I love seeing my babies I decided to keep the appointment.

Monday morning I was up and at 'em. Felt great to be out of bed. Felt great to do things for the girls again, clean, lighten Zeb's load, and run errands. I cleaned, went to costco, hobby lobby and walmart. Then rested a bit before my appointment. I went to my appointment and Caleb looked great. But the sonographer said I had a sub chorionic bleed next to the placenta and he would consult the doctor.

As a precaution my OB put be back on bed rest to try and allow the hemorrhage to be re absorbed and avoid getting larger. Back in bed for 2 more weeks. Friends came to my rescue again. The girls took it pretty hard but we adjusted okay.

5 days into the 2 weeks (Saturday October 5th) I felt something I had never felt before.  I had been passing old blood all week but things changed. It knew I wasn't peeing my pants but there was a lot of liquid. I was puzzled and asked my sister Amanda if it was normal and she said call the OB just to be safe. The on call Doctor said to go into the ER to rule out amniotic fluid.

I was hesitant. I had just arranged a night out for Zeb so he could get some time out if the house and work and didn't think anything was really wrong. He insisted we go in just to see what was going on. We went to the mini ER by our house where they did an ultrasound. Caleb was healthy and  I seemed to have enough fluid. But during the ultrasound I had a big gush of fluid. Then when the doctor came in to talk to me I felt another gush. At that point I knew it was amniotic fluid and burst into tears.

We went to labor and delivery and tried to be calm. A friend met us at the hospital and he and Zeb gave me a blessing. Amanda talked to us about different scenarios and that it didn't mean the end of the pregnancy. I prayed to have the strength to get through whatever happened and tried to have faith
in Heavenly Father and His plan. My mind was everywhere that night as we were waiting to get an ultrasound the next morning, as we were waiting to see if I went into labor.

In the morning (Sunday) I had another ultrasound and amazingly I hadn't lost all the fluid. My level was 4.3 (it had been 8.2). I hadn't had any contractions. His heart beat was strong in the 140's and 150's! Such great news. These are a few scenarios we were given.
1. I could go into labor at any time.
2. I could continue to leak fluid but produce more each day and stay in the hospital as long as possible. Staying pregnant until he is old enough to survive (that is at 24 weeks). Then be transferred to a hospital with a NICU.
3. Be one of the 14 percent whose leak actually reseals and go home, possibly even carry this baby to term or close to.
After the news we received about the fluid and no contractions we were very excited. By Sunday or night I had almost completely stopped leaking.

The girls came to see me Sunday and it was very hard on them. We prayed together and I just held them. It's hard for a 6 year old to understand that having their mom be in the hospital during all the upcoming holidays is a good thing because it means baby brother can grow and be able to survive when he comes out. Realizing I would be in here on her birthday was rough. They came again that night to say goodnight and I loved every minute with them.

Amanda my sister flew in from Utah and helped tremendously. She left her family, 6 kids, and came immediately and helped me so much with her love and knowledge of labor and delivery and NICU.

Zeb has been a rock. His strength astounds me. I am so grateful for our eternal marriage and the support he gives me endlessly. Boy am I lucky.

Monday morning my fluid level was 4.8 and no major leaking. No signs of labor. More great news. Caleb's heart rate was still strong. Monday brought great news but had a reaction to the antibiotics. I threw up and couldn't keep anything down. My neck was killing me from laying flat for so long and my headache wouldn't go away. I felt so awful. I looked and Zeb and said, "How can I do this for 10 weeks?" His response was of course perfect. "We just need to get through a day at a time. You can do this."

Tuesday was sooooooo much better. I felt like myself again. I felt great!

Wednesday, which is today, brought awesome news! My fluid level is up to 7.8 which is almost in the normal range. 8-18 is considered normal. I am making more fluid than I am leaking. Caleb's heart beat is still strong. No signs of labor. Such amazing news considering our situation.

We have had an outpouring of love. An outpouring of prayers. Visitors streaming in. Calls and texts. So many ready and willing to help. So many doing so much for us. We can't thank you enough. You all know who you are.

Here is what I know right now. Heavenly Father has a plan for us. For our family. While we don't know what it is, I know He is aware of us. He will help us through this. I know our family is sealed in the temple and that we will all have the opportunity to be together again.  I am holding to what I know, not to what I don't. I am so grateful for what I know.

I created this blog for far away family and friends that want to know what's going on.  And to have this experience written down.

One day at a time.

Xoxo
Me