We've made it to 30 weeks gestation, pregnant with Mekai Indigo. Each extra day is a miracle, at this point.
This update will look a little bit different than some of the others, as I was not able to post anything here for the past couple weeks, due to pain. We'll start from today and work our way backwards, kind of like a mini backward diary.
5/13/2019
So, today we are at 30 weeks and one day and we got to have a fetal growth ultrasound done on Mekai. Usually when we get the ultrasounds done, he is kicking away, sucking his fingers, pulling on the cord, and just in general being extremely active. But today, he was not having it. He was asleep in a super comfy balled up position and decided no matter how much prodding was being done, he was taking a nap and not being bothered. So, he apparently really loves his sleep.
That meant that we only got a few grainy photos of his face and none of the rest of him because he was hard to see (ultrasound photos in a slideshow at the end of the post). But the doctor was able to see what she needed quickly to make sure he's doing well, so that is okay. I totally understand wanting to sleep because he hasn't let me in days. LOL Okay, so it's not him. It's my body putting me through the wringer to keep him inside one day (and a lot of times one hour) at a time.
So, the best news of the day is that Mekai is no longer in breech position!!! At the last ultrasound from the labor/delivery unit, Mekai was in a double footling breech position and that terrified us since my body keeps trying to make him be born. I have not had a c-section as of yet (even though this is my 7th child) and while I know it is perfectly normal, who actually WANTS to have an operation?
If it goes there, of course it will get done and I was glad to find out that I have a lot of family and friends to talk to if it has to happen. But again, no one wants that on purpose. So, we were very, very glad to see Mekai all curled up in the CORRECT position today on the ultrasound.
Anyway, so Mekai is in head down position, the perfect position for birthing, should it happen soon or later. Please send positive vibes into the universe for him to stay head down for the duration of his stay inside my womb. That will make his entrance so much less complicated, even if he's early.
The other news we found out is that Mekai weighs 3 pounds and 2 ounces today! That is Kymani's exact birth weight and she was born at 30 weeks gestation. So, he is right now, a comparable size to his big sister at this stage. We found that interesting, as well as comforting, since she turned out so healthy, even after being born so early.
My cerclage is still doing its job. But as everyone likely knows, I have contractions daily and an emergency cerclage like mine can tear through the cervix with even just a little more dilation than what I currently have. I am able to stop the contractions so far. But it is still a very real possibility that he can come any day now, be it due to dilation/cerclage tearing, the contractions not stopping, or my water breaking.
Pregnancy is very unpredictable and I have had three preterm deliveries already, with preterm labor occurring with all of my pregnancies at least once or throughout. I am also on my 7th child and am 41 years old. I also have an incompetent cervix (IC), as well as have other things going on. So, we are in dangerous territory here. But any child who decides to bust through multiple forms of birth control deserves for us to beat the odds for him in return. At least, that is how we see it.
Some of the signs I need to watch for in order to go to the hospital:
🎈 Signs of infection, such as a fever of 100.3 or higher
🎈 Contractions that occur at least 4 times per hour at regular intervals that do not stop
🎈 Water breaking
🎈 Cerclage stitches tearing through my cervix (bleeding and pain will be the sign)
🎈 Any other bleeding or even mild fluid leakage
🎈 More severe abdominal or back cramping or pain that is worse or comes with more pressure
(I have this daily, so I know at what level it requires a visit)
We do not, of course, want Mekai to have to go through being a preemie, but it does help that we are now at the stage where we had Kymani. We look at her and are so grateful at how healthy she is, despite her scary entrance. We also look at her and are comforted in knowing that she came that early and has ZERO health issues to date, unless you count allergies. Even term babies get those.
And really, even term babies get other health issues too. It's all a game of chance. The point is, that even this early, it can all turn out amazingly well and Mekai has been very healthy thus far. So we are thinking only positive vibes into the universe that he will continue on that path, whether he comes term or preterm.
We will fight for every extra day that my body allows, but we'll also keep in mind that if it does not work, it is not our fault and not under our control. We have done and are doing everything in our power and following all medical advice given.
We will remember how well it can turn out, regardless of when Mekai comes.
We will keep with us the knowledge we gained from a prior preemie/NICU baby, in case we need it.
We will not listen to the folks who say we are being negative, when we are actually being prepared and healthy and realistic.
We will continue to thank those of you who are being supportive and sending positive vibes into the universe for Mekai. We love you all, even when we are silent, due to me being in pain while we chase 2 toddlers, run a business, and do a million other things, while I somehow follow bed rest orders too.
We will remain strong and positive and prepared (prepare for the worst and hope for the best).
We may or may not get to post an update tomorrow, but we do have a regular OB follow-up tomorrow as well. Until next time! Love y'all!!
5/12/2019
This is where we get to say we made it to 30 weeks! What an awesome Mother's Day present! Happy Mother's Day! We never thought this was possible after the prior night and even many of the nights and days preceding. May 11th was our worst day and night of all up to this point.
The pelvic pain was intense and we were ready to grab pre-packed bags and head to labor/delivery more than once. Thankfully, the contractions decided to stop every time and allowed us to celebrate my favorite holiday, besides Halloween and the kids' birthdays.
I'm not going to say Mother's Day wasn't a painful day as well. Far from it. However, Mekai stayed inside. So it was a victorious day at least. I also got to enjoy awesome appreciation from all the kiddos, including Mekai, who thanked me by staying inside and kicking me vigorously all day to state his presence.
5/5/2019
We just got home from labor/delivery/ER. The cramping and pain got severe and concerning and at a point where it was necessary to go in.
Good news is that it calmed down and Mekai is not coming just yet. However, that is a good thing for multiple reasons. The obvious reason is that we are 29 weeks along.
But the other reason is that we found out through ultrasound that he is in a breech position. So if he'd have come, that would have been another challenge added to the others.
The cerclage is holding for now and the doctor said hopefully we get at least another couple weeks out of it. But as they also said, it's possible 24 hours from now we could end up right back in there.
Pregnancy is unpredictable, especially a high risk vulnerable one like mine with multiple risk factors. If you read our last update, we are again watching for those same warning signs, some of which prompted this hospital visit.
Also, because we are at the same stage where my water broke with Kymani, there is added precaution. She was born at 30 weeks after my water broke at a little after 28 weeks and we held her in for 9 more days on hospital bed rest.
I was still in pain at discharge early this morning, though not at a stage of having the baby. So it is highly likely that my pain will stay and get worse up until Mekai comes, as previously stated in other updates.
And at discharge we were cautioned to come back to the hospital if I get the same pains again that prompted the visit or the other preterm or regular labor signs or any other warning signs.
My tests all came up normal. No infections, no pre-eclampsia, no high blood pressure, etc. Please keep sending positive healthy vibes for Mekai no matter when he decides to come. Thank you. 💜
This update will look a little bit different than some of the others, as I was not able to post anything here for the past couple weeks, due to pain. We'll start from today and work our way backwards, kind of like a mini backward diary.
5/13/2019
So, today we are at 30 weeks and one day and we got to have a fetal growth ultrasound done on Mekai. Usually when we get the ultrasounds done, he is kicking away, sucking his fingers, pulling on the cord, and just in general being extremely active. But today, he was not having it. He was asleep in a super comfy balled up position and decided no matter how much prodding was being done, he was taking a nap and not being bothered. So, he apparently really loves his sleep.
That meant that we only got a few grainy photos of his face and none of the rest of him because he was hard to see (ultrasound photos in a slideshow at the end of the post). But the doctor was able to see what she needed quickly to make sure he's doing well, so that is okay. I totally understand wanting to sleep because he hasn't let me in days. LOL Okay, so it's not him. It's my body putting me through the wringer to keep him inside one day (and a lot of times one hour) at a time.
So, the best news of the day is that Mekai is no longer in breech position!!! At the last ultrasound from the labor/delivery unit, Mekai was in a double footling breech position and that terrified us since my body keeps trying to make him be born. I have not had a c-section as of yet (even though this is my 7th child) and while I know it is perfectly normal, who actually WANTS to have an operation?
If it goes there, of course it will get done and I was glad to find out that I have a lot of family and friends to talk to if it has to happen. But again, no one wants that on purpose. So, we were very, very glad to see Mekai all curled up in the CORRECT position today on the ultrasound.
Anyway, so Mekai is in head down position, the perfect position for birthing, should it happen soon or later. Please send positive vibes into the universe for him to stay head down for the duration of his stay inside my womb. That will make his entrance so much less complicated, even if he's early.
The other news we found out is that Mekai weighs 3 pounds and 2 ounces today! That is Kymani's exact birth weight and she was born at 30 weeks gestation. So, he is right now, a comparable size to his big sister at this stage. We found that interesting, as well as comforting, since she turned out so healthy, even after being born so early.
My cerclage is still doing its job. But as everyone likely knows, I have contractions daily and an emergency cerclage like mine can tear through the cervix with even just a little more dilation than what I currently have. I am able to stop the contractions so far. But it is still a very real possibility that he can come any day now, be it due to dilation/cerclage tearing, the contractions not stopping, or my water breaking.
Pregnancy is very unpredictable and I have had three preterm deliveries already, with preterm labor occurring with all of my pregnancies at least once or throughout. I am also on my 7th child and am 41 years old. I also have an incompetent cervix (IC), as well as have other things going on. So, we are in dangerous territory here. But any child who decides to bust through multiple forms of birth control deserves for us to beat the odds for him in return. At least, that is how we see it.
Some of the signs I need to watch for in order to go to the hospital:
🎈 Signs of infection, such as a fever of 100.3 or higher
🎈 Contractions that occur at least 4 times per hour at regular intervals that do not stop
🎈 Water breaking
🎈 Cerclage stitches tearing through my cervix (bleeding and pain will be the sign)
🎈 Any other bleeding or even mild fluid leakage
🎈 More severe abdominal or back cramping or pain that is worse or comes with more pressure
(I have this daily, so I know at what level it requires a visit)
We do not, of course, want Mekai to have to go through being a preemie, but it does help that we are now at the stage where we had Kymani. We look at her and are so grateful at how healthy she is, despite her scary entrance. We also look at her and are comforted in knowing that she came that early and has ZERO health issues to date, unless you count allergies. Even term babies get those.
And really, even term babies get other health issues too. It's all a game of chance. The point is, that even this early, it can all turn out amazingly well and Mekai has been very healthy thus far. So we are thinking only positive vibes into the universe that he will continue on that path, whether he comes term or preterm.
We will fight for every extra day that my body allows, but we'll also keep in mind that if it does not work, it is not our fault and not under our control. We have done and are doing everything in our power and following all medical advice given.
We will remember how well it can turn out, regardless of when Mekai comes.
We will keep with us the knowledge we gained from a prior preemie/NICU baby, in case we need it.
We will not listen to the folks who say we are being negative, when we are actually being prepared and healthy and realistic.
We will continue to thank those of you who are being supportive and sending positive vibes into the universe for Mekai. We love you all, even when we are silent, due to me being in pain while we chase 2 toddlers, run a business, and do a million other things, while I somehow follow bed rest orders too.
We will remain strong and positive and prepared (prepare for the worst and hope for the best).
We may or may not get to post an update tomorrow, but we do have a regular OB follow-up tomorrow as well. Until next time! Love y'all!!
5/12/2019
This is where we get to say we made it to 30 weeks! What an awesome Mother's Day present! Happy Mother's Day! We never thought this was possible after the prior night and even many of the nights and days preceding. May 11th was our worst day and night of all up to this point.
The pelvic pain was intense and we were ready to grab pre-packed bags and head to labor/delivery more than once. Thankfully, the contractions decided to stop every time and allowed us to celebrate my favorite holiday, besides Halloween and the kids' birthdays.
I'm not going to say Mother's Day wasn't a painful day as well. Far from it. However, Mekai stayed inside. So it was a victorious day at least. I also got to enjoy awesome appreciation from all the kiddos, including Mekai, who thanked me by staying inside and kicking me vigorously all day to state his presence.
5/5/2019
We just got home from labor/delivery/ER. The cramping and pain got severe and concerning and at a point where it was necessary to go in.
Good news is that it calmed down and Mekai is not coming just yet. However, that is a good thing for multiple reasons. The obvious reason is that we are 29 weeks along.
But the other reason is that we found out through ultrasound that he is in a breech position. So if he'd have come, that would have been another challenge added to the others.
The cerclage is holding for now and the doctor said hopefully we get at least another couple weeks out of it. But as they also said, it's possible 24 hours from now we could end up right back in there.
Pregnancy is unpredictable, especially a high risk vulnerable one like mine with multiple risk factors. If you read our last update, we are again watching for those same warning signs, some of which prompted this hospital visit.
Also, because we are at the same stage where my water broke with Kymani, there is added precaution. She was born at 30 weeks after my water broke at a little after 28 weeks and we held her in for 9 more days on hospital bed rest.
I was still in pain at discharge early this morning, though not at a stage of having the baby. So it is highly likely that my pain will stay and get worse up until Mekai comes, as previously stated in other updates.
And at discharge we were cautioned to come back to the hospital if I get the same pains again that prompted the visit or the other preterm or regular labor signs or any other warning signs.
My tests all came up normal. No infections, no pre-eclampsia, no high blood pressure, etc. Please keep sending positive healthy vibes for Mekai no matter when he decides to come. Thank you. 💜
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