complications...such a worrisome word

On Monday I had a regular routine check-up with my doctor. I hadn't seen him for 4 weeks and was excited to hear our baby's heartbeat. We had our big ultrasound about 3 weeks ago but the doctor doesn't do that, it's just the Tech that does it. She mentioned in my ultrasound that is was hard for her to see the bottom of my placenta because it was so low but she finally got a good look at it and said everything looked fine. So when I visited with my doctor on Monday he said, after reviewing my chart, "so it looks like your placenta is low so if you have any bleeding I want to see you right away or if it's on the weekend I want you to go straight to the hospital." Now worried about what he just said, I said, "well I have already had some bleeding." I'd been having some light spotting here and there, nothing major, nothing to be concerned about or so I thought. Once I told him that it's been both bright red and brown-ish sometimes and that it's been going on for just about a month he became very serious and concerned. Then of course so did I! It was so surreal how the tension in the room changed just like that. He told me that he was going to give me the steroid shot to boost my baby's lungs and he wanted to do an ultrasound to see if he could figure out where the bleeding was coming from. As soon as he said he wanted to give me the steroid shot I lost it. I just couldn't help but think that if he didn't think my baby could be born sometime in the very near future he wouldn't have wanted to give me the shot. Then he started explaining that it could possibly be placental abruption, where your placenta becomes detached and in that case, depending how bad it is, your baby is not getting oxygen or nutrients from you. In that very moment I was so scared, I just couldn't stop thinking about my baby and that I was only 23 1/2 weeks pregnant. (I'm getting teary eyed just thinking about this, I was so unbelievably SCARED!) It was a very long night, I hardly slept a wink. Of course I let my mind go wild with all the possibilities that could happen. I tried to stay positive but I didn't want to be naive in thinking that nothing could happen or go wrong either. So Tuesday morning finally came and I went back to the doctor for an ultrasound and to get the second dose of the steriod shot. I was VERY VERY VERY relieved and overjoyed to find out that I don't have placental abruption, in fact what I have is partial placenta previa. That's where my placenta is growing partially over my cervix or right up against it. The doctor thinks that since my placenta is so low down there by my cervix that it may not be getting as many nutrients from me as the rest of my placenta is so it is a little weak. Any kind of disturbance on that weak part may be where I've had a little bleeding. I haven't had any bleeding since Tuesday night and hopefully with me laying low I won't either. I was also reassured that the baby has plenty of fluid surrounding him so that tells the doctor that my placenta is working properly and doing it's job. He also measured his head and he is measuring right on schedule so that tells the doctor that he is growing and is getting the oxygen and nutrients that he needs. Phew, such relief! I am so happy that it isn't as serious as it was originally thought! The doctor wants to see me back weekly for right now to do ultrasounds to make sure everything is okay and to give my placenta a chance to heal up but he is confident that by the time I deliver (not until June baby boy!) my uterus will have grown enough so that my placenta is no longer covering or near my cervix. He just wants to watch me really really close and he wants me to be extra careful. Which is fine by me, I am so thankful that he is being extra cautious for mine and my baby's sake. I was also relieved to find out that I wouldn't have to go on full blown bed-rest as it was originally thought on Monday. The doctor told me that he didn't want me to think that I had to, "duct-tape yourself to the bed," but that he wants me to try and do as little as possible to meet my kids needs during the day and then let Justin take over as soon as he gets home. No more cleaning, shopping, cooking or anything like that. Although difficult at times to stay off my feet while taking care of the kids, so far so good. My kids have been very understanding (as much understanding as you can expect from a 4 and 2 year old) and have done pretty well with their new not-so-active Mom. Of course both of our families have been so supportive and concerned and are willing to do whatever it takes to help us out and that means a lot! As well as great friends and neighbors that are so concerned and willing to help in any way they can, heck, they've already helped me out in transporting Avery to and from pre-school! :) And thanks to my one special neighbor for calling the Relief Society President! Ha ha! You are so funny!... but I really appreciate your love and concern for me and my family and I know you are willing to do anything for us! I especially wanted to thank Justin's Mom for all the kindness she has shown us over the last few days. She has come over everyday since Tuesday to help me with the kids, cook us dinner, clean and do whatever is needed, and even bring us a banana creme pie from Marie Calendars. :) She has been so great and we love her SO much!

Now get to posting everyone, so I'll have something to look forward to!!! :)