Tuesday, October 14, 2008

An okay day

The past week has been relatively quite. Seeing how I only had to take 2 pills, I was feeling pretty good about today's appointment. First on the agenda was the glucose screening. I had zero problem downing my fruit punch in five minutes. Maybe I am strange, but I found it to be rather tasty. I was called back for the ultrasound shortly thereafter. The baby's measurements look good, estimating him to be about 1 pound and 10 ounces. Today's sonographer took my cervical length "non-abdominally." :) I felt a contraction starting almost immediately so we are unsure about the initial measurement. The first reading was around 2.7 cm/27mm. Then we got to watch those numbers fall by the second as the contraction intensified. The lowest we saw was 1 cm/10mm. Needless to say, it was very scary and disappointing to see the numbers go so low. Once the contraction faded, the numbers went back up, remaining in the mid/low 2's. There was obvious funneling of the inner cervix as the contraction started and even after it ended. Also not a great thing to see.

Thankfully, my state of mind has been optimistic and positive all week. Otherwise, I would have been a wreck having seen such numbers. I was quite eager to hear Dr. B's impression of the ultrasound. I think it is accurate to say that he was concerned but not overly concerned. I wasn't admitted so that is a good sign! As a result, he made a few changes in my medication for the the next week. I will be taking terbutaline every 8 hours now rather than on an as needed basis. He also prescribed another medication, Indocin, to be taken over the weekend (Friday/Saturday/Sunday). The hope in taking all the meds is to prevent further shortening of the cervix. Maybe there will even be some lengthening by next week. Time will tell! Next week he will also do a fetal fibronectin test to help us know if I will go into labor in the next 2 weeks. Rather than me trying to explain how it works, I put a link to the site that explains it's purpose rather nicely.

I suppose I will have the "shakes" and an increased heart rate constantly over the next week. At least that is what I am hoping for! In the meantime, I am trying to keep a positive attitude about the future. Isn't it just like Satan to take my high spirits and try to squish them in an instant? I would be lying if I said his attempts have failed. But, I am not completely down and plan to avoid going there. All I know to do is to ask for prayer. This little guy needs as much time inside the womb as he can get. I can only pray the new plan of action will grant us the time he needs! And that I will be given peace of mind as we wait and see!

15 comments:

Melissa said...

You are doing great, Danielle! Keep up the positive attitude and keep praying. I felt so many kicks this afternoon, and I think that is all due to my good outlook today. So I am going to try and keep it up also. My blog is up now-melissaandwade.blogspot.com--I'm off to go pray for you!

Anonymous said...

i stopped and prayed as soon as i read your blog...the test will help to give you hope as you go week to week ..i read the site and it sounded like a good test from the personal testimonies..stay strong and we all will continue to hold you up! love, bettie

partyoffivetn said...

Danielle, I found you at Angie's blog on her comments today, and your story touched my heart. You and Blake, and your baby are in my prayers.

Kristen said...

I didnt even know that this test was available! How interesting. Well, here is hoping for a negative test fFn test! I'm not worried about it, because you already told me that you would wait until I get back from NY for anything exciting to happen. Keeping you and your womb in my prayers!

Anonymous said...

Prayers today: peace of mind- check, uterus lengthening- check, long time in womb- check, mom's lowered heart rate- check! Okay, I'm prepared to continue for as long as it takes! XOXOXO~ Jill

kelly w said...

25 weeks tomorrow, huh?!? that's great! and awesome that your doctor is scheduling tests starting NEXT week, meaning he thinks the new plan of meds will keep you safe until then! i will be praying as always! praying that little man continues to grow stronger and bigger and that your cervix and uterus stop trying to rush things along!!! thanks for the update!

The Spann's said...

Will continue to pray for you, Blake, and your little man! The Lord has gotten you so far - I'm so thankful for each moment that baby stays in your womb. Hang in there Danielle!

ash

stance. said...

Congratulations on 25 weeks! Every new day is a reason to celebrate and your positive attitude is probably more help for that little guy than doctors can realize. We are praying and will not stop!

Carla said...

Hey Danielle,

I am checking out your blog each week and am so glad you decided to do it. I am praying for your baby boy each day! Thanks for the updates.

:)
Carla

Carrie said...

Lots more MS prayers this week for you. You are officially on my church's prayer list - I am Methodist now so that is a whole other denomination out there praying for you!
Thanks for your update and I am so blessed to get to reconnect with you!

kelly w said...

ummmm, btw, did you PASS or FAIL your glucose tolerate test?!? i hope your office is nice enough to tell you on the spot instead of making you wait a few days :)

Tami said...

HI Danielle,

I found your blog through Angie Smith's. I just wanted you to know that I'm praying for you today and in the days ahead. Your story is so familiar to me. I lived it! I lost two boys to premature birth. I now have three beautiful boys here on earth and I CHERISH the moments I'm given to pray for others who are experiencing what my husband and I went through. God is good. He is the ultimate protector and He is protecting this baby boy of yours. I'll be praying...

~ Tami

Anonymous said...

Danielle,
I found you from Angie's site too. I have been sitting here for over an hour reading all Blake and you have been through. I have never lost a child, but lost my 1st husband when I was 13 weeks pregnant with my 1st son. God has a plan. We can't even begin to understand. I will pray for you and Blake and baby too. My 2nd son's name is Blake. :) Many blessings and prayers. Jen from Cali

Veronica said...

Danielle, I just want to encourage you about the fetal test. I had 2 with Ann Claire and 1 was negative and 1 was positive. I cried for 2 days on one being not as I hoped. But nothing ever happened. Just don't put too much into the test but instead into our Lord and Savior and His sovereignty over it. Medicine is so very flawed but He is not! Praying for a good report and continued health for you girl! Love ya.

Carla and Daryl said...

i have been unable to read blogs for a while and i was elated when leanne visited and told me you had made the 24 week milestone. that is great and you are still hangin in there. your request for prayers is remembered always and i am sending hugs to you, blake and your precious little baby boy. love you!