IAB ... it's a boy, and my body is not pleased! LOL!

An updated tour through my uterus.

Last Friday I went to lunch with Jon. Immediately following lunch, I got a sudden searing pain followed by contractions. I assumed it was horrible heartburn (we had noodles and company and I doused my noodles in hot sauce, this kid is loving everything hot) from my overzealous use of the hot sauce. When the contractions started, I got a little concerned, and Jon took me to the ER. Long story short … after a WAAAY to long visit (I hate and avoid ER’s at all costs) and multiple tests/ultrasounds they determined a couple things: a) I am having early contractions, b) I have a complete placenta previa c) my placenta has torn a bit off the side of my uterus (hence sudden pain) d) I have a clot in my placenta (which I already knew about from a couple weeks ago and the doctor is hoping it just resolves itself e) my cervix is low.

The doctor consulted with my perinatologist in Denver and I was ordered to “stay down”. Perinatologist called me Monday and said I needed to come in for an appointment, and stay down until I did. In that conversation he ran over all the worst case scenarios, permanent bed rest, hospitalization for months towards the end, early delivery, cesarean, etc. etc. Sometimes I think specialist are a little too careful. With three kids, this is totally NOT an option! Jon and I weighed all the news over the next few days, checked into the exorbitant costs of a nanny ($1500/month for 5 days a week with Caden!), I stayed down, and finally saw the perinatologist yesterday.

Perinatologist said the following: until 20 weeks when the baby gets heavier, he’s not horribly concerned, I am on light activity, clot is resolving, blood thinners are working, placenta IS torn from the side of the uterus, but it’s a small tear and the placenta still has a chance of, as I say, to “grow feet and crawl back up my uterus where it is supposed to be”. The placenta NOT crawling back up the uterus can cause problems later in the pregnancy as the baby gets larger, there is more pressure on the cervix, etc. and there is a chance of loss of oxygen/nutrients to the baby and an emergency cesarean for me. The baby and I chatted about this situation. He has grown rather fond of food and oxygen, and I am rather fond of no cesarean, so we’ve agreed the body needs to get on board on cooperate. Early contractions, sort of normal with multiple pregnancies and an (he tried to put this lightly) “older” uterus, and all blood work looks fine. Most important, baby is growing steadily, except it has a penius and hat’s just not right. = ) But, Jon and I make cute and cuddly little boys (carbon copies of course) so at least I already know what it will look like and it's another chance to actually take early baby photos to tell all the boys was "them as babies" when they ask as adults ... since they all look the same, I can pull it off.  I'm so bad at getting their picutres taken.  Again, no worries until the baby is heavier.

Despite everything, I’ve been incredibly lucky with my healthcare. My perinatologist is literally considered to be “the best in the west”. Women come and see him from all parts of the western united states (Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, etc. etc) because he’s “the best”. How I managed to become a patient of his is a series of events that all fell perfectly into place from day one. So I told mom when the supposed “best” tells me not to worry right now, I’ll take that.

On a lighter note, literally, as of yesterday’s appointment I’ve lost 18 lbs since my first weigh in back in late June. The nurse is not pleased, and I’m pretty sure she thinks I have an eating disorder because I give a little delighted cheer with every weigh in saying, “hmm, losing weight in pregnancy, now there’s a concept.” She nudged me last appointment to gain weight, she demanded yesterday when she sees me again I WILL have gained weight and not lost any more. Jon tried to tell her that maybe I lost another pound because I puked on the way down to the hospital. LOL! I told her the baby could live off the fat of the land for some time, including the extra 30 lbs still on my frame from baby #3.

She said, “uh, no.” and suggested I drink two smoothies every day with protein powder. Uh, no. She then tried to tell me she knows Moms that lost 45 lbs a week after giving birth, so I need to gain weight and not worry about it. I looked out the doorway into the hallway at all the multiple pictures of my perinatologist holding bundle after bundle of quints he delivered. I thought, “yeah, maybe if I had quints I’d lose 45 lbs in a week.” Pretty sure she lies. Then she suggested eating just before bed, and in the middle of the night, followed by one more chow round upon waking (with, of course, a cooler packed by the side of my bed, idiot) so I wouldn’t puke on command every morning. When you KNOW you’re going to chuck up whatever you put down your craw, food sort of loses it’s comforting pleasure.

BUT, cravings are still weird as hell. Jon and I stopped at Cracker Barrel on the way home for lunch and I proceeded to chow down a bowl of collard greens like a prisoner on death row eating their last meal. Who knows why? I never ate that crap when Grandma made it, but yesterday it was delicious. Everything I eat has to be HOT, and there is not enough hot sauce on the planet to help me in my endeavors. I think I might ask Kati for some of my brother in law Juan’s favorite delicacies. LOL!