Today, we had a routine OB appointment to check on things. But there were a few concerns, so it ended up being long and painful.
We turned 30 weeks on Sunday. So, today, we are 30 weeks and 2 days. This is the regular 30 week check-up. But anyone who has been pregnant, especially high-risk, knows that no two pregnancies are alike and nothing is exactly routine. That's an understatement in my case.
As you all know, I get contractions daily. I am just able to stop them before my body starts doing more in terms of going into labor. I also have many other pains. Part of them are due to my age, but some of them can be a cause for concern.
So, at today's appointment, I had to be thoroughly checked due to the internal vaginal pain, cramping, and also my internal exam revealed that I am quite swollen in there. I also have a whole host of otherreasons in my chart from this and past pregnancies that prompts lots of thoroughness.
Since we had an ultrasound of Mekai yesterday, most of the ultrasound from today was to check on things like fluid, the cervical stitch (cerclage), my cervix itself, and things like that. But they did take a peek at Mekai too.
Mekai's heartbeat is 144 bpm, nice and strong. He is of course the same weight as yesterday (3lbs, 2 ounces). He is doing extremely well. He is also still head down (yay) and he is way down there so it's very possible he will stay that way for birth, early or on time (keep sending those positive vibes).
The other good news is that so far, the cerclage is doing its job and is likely part of why the daily contractions can't get any further as of yet. The other part is all the stuff I've been doing myself to stop them. It's very draining but it's for my kid, so I will keep it up.
However, the not-so-fun news is that my swelling and pain is likely a combination of things: the number of pregnancies I've had, my old age, my past and current pregnancy history, the pressure from Mekai and everything else since my body is older, and also from the daily contractions. My body is very sore and swollen and tired. It's extremely painful and as he gains more weight and I get further along, as well as have more and more contractions, it's likely to get much worse.
Unfortunately, being checked so thoroughly also intensified the pain. But of course, the checking had to be done because with those symptoms, especially the internal swelling, any number of things could have been going on. I am glad they checked. But now I am in massive pain.
Keep in mind that during pregnancy, it is very possible for some of these exams to induce labor as well, so we are watching for that, as we always do. We are already on labor watch daily, so we know what to look for. They are the same signs we posted in yesterday's update.
Anyhow, if I seem distant or "off" to anyone, this is why. I am going through a ton right now and Mekai, as well as the other kids will be my priority. It is nothing personal against anyone. I just am close to nonfunctional sometimes and am working hard to keep a baby inside as long as possible. It's not really under my control but I can do some things to fight it for however long my body allows and I will continue that, even through the pain.
Thanks for all the positive energy put into the universe. We really need and appreciate it.
We turned 30 weeks on Sunday. So, today, we are 30 weeks and 2 days. This is the regular 30 week check-up. But anyone who has been pregnant, especially high-risk, knows that no two pregnancies are alike and nothing is exactly routine. That's an understatement in my case.
As you all know, I get contractions daily. I am just able to stop them before my body starts doing more in terms of going into labor. I also have many other pains. Part of them are due to my age, but some of them can be a cause for concern.
So, at today's appointment, I had to be thoroughly checked due to the internal vaginal pain, cramping, and also my internal exam revealed that I am quite swollen in there. I also have a whole host of otherreasons in my chart from this and past pregnancies that prompts lots of thoroughness.
Since we had an ultrasound of Mekai yesterday, most of the ultrasound from today was to check on things like fluid, the cervical stitch (cerclage), my cervix itself, and things like that. But they did take a peek at Mekai too.
Mekai's heartbeat is 144 bpm, nice and strong. He is of course the same weight as yesterday (3lbs, 2 ounces). He is doing extremely well. He is also still head down (yay) and he is way down there so it's very possible he will stay that way for birth, early or on time (keep sending those positive vibes).
The other good news is that so far, the cerclage is doing its job and is likely part of why the daily contractions can't get any further as of yet. The other part is all the stuff I've been doing myself to stop them. It's very draining but it's for my kid, so I will keep it up.
However, the not-so-fun news is that my swelling and pain is likely a combination of things: the number of pregnancies I've had, my old age, my past and current pregnancy history, the pressure from Mekai and everything else since my body is older, and also from the daily contractions. My body is very sore and swollen and tired. It's extremely painful and as he gains more weight and I get further along, as well as have more and more contractions, it's likely to get much worse.
Unfortunately, being checked so thoroughly also intensified the pain. But of course, the checking had to be done because with those symptoms, especially the internal swelling, any number of things could have been going on. I am glad they checked. But now I am in massive pain.
Keep in mind that during pregnancy, it is very possible for some of these exams to induce labor as well, so we are watching for that, as we always do. We are already on labor watch daily, so we know what to look for. They are the same signs we posted in yesterday's update.
Anyhow, if I seem distant or "off" to anyone, this is why. I am going through a ton right now and Mekai, as well as the other kids will be my priority. It is nothing personal against anyone. I just am close to nonfunctional sometimes and am working hard to keep a baby inside as long as possible. It's not really under my control but I can do some things to fight it for however long my body allows and I will continue that, even through the pain.
Thanks for all the positive energy put into the universe. We really need and appreciate it.