Baby News!

Well, we decided to have another baby!  I know this is old news to a lot of you, but I haven't dared to write it "officially" in the blog because we have been up and down quite a roller coaster over the last three months.  I am not going to write a lot about it (besides how super-excited we all are!) because I kind of feel emotionally drained with discussing my uterus haha.  I have been updating friends and family with what is going on, so I thought I would just include the email updates on here. 

January 14, 2012

I think many of you knew, but for those who didn't, Joe and I found out we were pregnant with twins two weeks ago.  We also found out one of the babies was not doind very well (at least two weeks behind in growth and a very weak heart beat.  The Dr and the maternal fetal medicine person are also quite concerned that the baby had implanted on my c-section scar. If the baby continued to grow, it could be fatal for me with the scar opening and causing internal bleeding/ruptured uterus etc

We had an ultrasound yesterday and the healthy baby is very healthy!  The Dr had a very difficult time finding the heart beat of the smaller baby (she could not distinguish my heart beat with the baby's so they are thinking that I am know the process of miscarrying the smaller baby.  It is a strange feeling to pray for a miscarriage especially after having two previously.

Please keep us in your thoughts!  Also, I might have missed a family member, so if I did, please share the news (and forward me their email).

Have a good weekend,
Jen

January 31, 2012

We are still just waiting for the blood/Baby B to pass.  It is not happening as quickly as the Dr's would like and I have started to bleed quite heavily.  On Sunday I had some moderate cramping and a lot of bleeding.  I saw the Sonographer yesterday (who has become a wealth of knowledge and support-she has been researching cases similar to mine and has contacted another Sonographer in Australia who wrote up a case very similar to mine.  She has also contacted a specialist who is a friend of hers from Texas.  He is in charge of 27 other perintologists and he travels the world giving lectures etc.  She is hoping that he will at least do a consultation via email with her). 

Anyway, Dr. Aloupis has made a referral to Dr. Pinette in Portland to get a second opinion.  The sac seems to be collapsing a little (it has more ragged edges than round edges), however, they are very concerned with all of the bleeding.  Dr. Aloupis warned me that I may have to be admitted to the Hospital once the bleeding "really" starts. 

Joe's Mom is going to come down to stay with us for a few days to help with the kids just in case anything does happen.  Joe is worried that something will happen to me while he is at work. 

Baby A is doing wonderful, by the way.  The heartbeat is really strong and the baby does not seem to be affected at all by what is going on in there!  What a strong baby!

Thanks for keeping all of us in your thought and prayers.  I will send out another update soon.   

Jen

February 3, 2012

We met with Dr. Wax yesterday (another specialist in the practice with Dr. Pinette).  After a VERY inexperience sonographer did the ultrasound (and told us the smaller sac must have disappeared because it was no longer there...um what?) Dr Wax came in and did another very thorough ultrasound showing the sonographer where everything was (including the smaller sac).  He determined that the blood is coming from the miscarriage of the twin and not internal bleeding (WOOHOO!).  He is pretty sure that the smaller sac is not attached to the c-section scar, although he cannot be 100% certain.  He wants me to come back on February 22nd to have another ultrasound where we will be able to find out more because my uterus will be a little bigger.

The healthy baby (baby A) is doing well, growing and moving around.  The baby is measuring right on target with my due-date (August 19th). 

Thanks to everyone for their prayers and continued prayers as we go through this journey.  I am waiting for the day where I can send out boring updates like "I can't see my feet anymore" or even worse, "I feel like a beached whale" as a I spend the summer pool side/ocean side with the best friends a mom could have!  I know I will get there.

Love to you all,
Jen and Joe

February 11, 2012

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am at EMMC.  I have lost a lot of blood and dr. Aloupis has admitted me.  I am in the process of miscarrying baby b.  I have iv fluids and they are monitering my  blood levels.  Baby a has been seen practicing for the olympics and is doing just perfect, with a heartbeat of 174. 

Good thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated!

February 12, 2012

Another update. My blood levels continue to fall (from 38 down to 21 as of 2pm today so Dr Aloupis has ordered a blood transfusion.  He has decided that the risk of me losing more blood outweighs the risk of the transfusion.  Tomorrow morning I will be going to have an ultrasound at maternal fetal medicine downstairs so they can get a good look at what is going on.

Thanks to everyone for their continued prayers.

Love,
Jen

February 14, 2012

I had an ultrasound yesterday morning and there was a concern that the miscarriage did open up the c-section scar. An ultrasound later in the day did not show that there was a rip (pretty much inconclusive).  Dr. Aloupis did a video conference with both dr. Pinette and dr. Wax in Portland.  They did not believe that there was a rip in the scar.  I will still be going to Portland to see the dr's next week just so they can get a good look themselves to confirm. 

I will be going home tomorrow morning!!  

February 16, 2012

I just wanted to let everyone know that I have been home from the hospital since yesterday morning.  It was SO nice to have a real shower!  We had an ultrasound yesterday afternoon at Dr. Aloupis' office with Gina (my regular sonographer) and the sac from Baby B is still there.  It is imbedded in the wall/c-section scar.  The placenta from the Baby B is apparently still growing as well (not sure how...even Dr. Aloupis is a bit confused).  I am still going to Portland on Wednesday to see the Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialists so hopefully they will have more information. 

It is basically a wait and see situation (still).  Dr. Aloupis is in agreement with Joe and I that we would like to continue carrying the pregnancy for as long as possible (until it becomes a risk to my life).  Baby A is continuing to amaze

Obviously thoughts and prayers are still appreciated.   

February 24, 2012

Sorry for the delayed update from Wednesday's appointment. I forgot to bring my phone charger and of course my battery died.

Dr Wax does not believe that the sac is continuing to grow, he did not see that the trophoblastic (probably didn't spell that right) was growing.  He did not see any new bleeding or any clots. He also didn't see where the uterine wall was bulging towards the bladder (which was a concern a week ago-that the tissue was growing towards my bladder outside of the uterus). His main message was that he didn't see anything new or alarming!

Here's to a hopefully boring remainder of the pregnancy!  Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers. I will let you know if anything else comes up!

We do have to go back in three weeks for another ultrasound.

February 27, 2012

I had an appointment with Dr. Aloupis (my regular OBGYN) today.  The smaller sac is still there, but is not getting bigger, so for now we are still just waiting (sound familiar?).  Dr. Aloupis does not see any reason for me to keep going to Portland, just to confirm that the smaller sac is still there/not getting any bigger so we will not be going to Portland again until about 26-28 weeks (I'm at 15 weeks right now).  In fact, I don't have to go back to see Dr. Aloupis for another 4 weeks....almost like a regular pregnancy!