aaaaaaand we are back!

I really wish we weren't. It's been a week since I was discharged from the hospital and we are back again. I started bleeding again ( not as much as last week, but enough to get checked out) and cramping. I called the doc, he said to go in as a precaution. So we are here. Hopefully not for long......

Hospitals

On our first date, Mike and I  bonded over medical issues. We talked about hospital stays, doctors, medical tests ect. Very unconventional, but very us. :-P  Since we have been together... we have taken turns visiting the hospital.

Right before we got engaged, Mike broke his finger lifting a table during a nerf gun war at the church. and yes, I am never letting him live that down :)

In March, I was 11 weeks pregnant at became so dehydrated, I ended up in the hospital and was diagnosed with Hyperemesis. (see previous post) Thankfully they let me go the same day.

On Thursday June 7th, Mike was sharpening a knife and walking towards the cat.... a glance away and blood everywhere. she sliced his finger. I bandaged it and we went to the ER because we couldn't see exactly how deep it was with all the blood. At the ER, the cut was staying mostly closed, so they didnt stitch it. Very anti-climatic. ;)

oh Mike..........

4 days later, I was sitting on the couch and one of the scariest things happened. It wasn't a big event. I felt something wasn't right and realized I was hemorrhaging.  I called Mike, all I could get out was " I'm bleeding, we need to go to the hospital" Then I called my Doctor so he could send the orders to California Medical Center OB Triage.  Our nurse was great, she explained what was going on, could go on, what questions to ask/ be aware of, and kept the spirit light. She made us laugh and that really helped settle our fears.

very good hospital... I was very impressed.

We were then sent upstairs to be admitted.  They did an ultrasound and found that Elika was absolutely perfect, but my placenta was still completely covering my cervix. Thankfully, they didnt see and blood pooling in my uterus, which would lead to pre-tearm labor and they would have to deliver her within the next couple days. The ultrasound showed that even though on the outside it looked very scary, everything inside was doing well.

scary moments

Elika doing just fine :)

bedrest = clots... so they put pressure cuffs  on my legs

All in all, We were visited by 3 doctors: my OB, a Perinatal Specialist and a NICU doctor. they all were great in explaining what could happen in the coming months. Elika could be born at 25 weeks(where I am now) but she would spend a couple months in the NICU. Because of the position of the placenta there are a few things that could happen. It could move, I could hemorrhage (once or multiple times) up until delivery, and depending on what happens Elika could be delivered anytime between now and full term. The goal is to "stay pregnant" until at least 32 weeks. The best would be 34-40 weeks. Also, if the placenta doesn't move, I will be having a c-section. It really helped to have all the doctors to be honest and lay everything out on the table. Its hard because we don't know what exactly will happen, but we know what could happen, how the doctors will respond, and what they will ask of us.

After 3 days in the hospital, a emotional roller coaster, and a ton of information thrown at us... they sent us home. MAN... I AM HAPPY TO BE HOME!!!!!!!!

HOME!!!  Dorian feeling for Elika :)

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

So, as most of you know... Its been a very rough couple of weeks. 


On Monday I broke down and went into the doctor and after he looked at me, asked some questions and took my weight he told me he was sending me to the hospital... I was shocked. I kept asking him... the HOSPITAL? He said I had Hyperemesis and was very dehydrated... To the hospital I go...


He sent me to California Pacific Medical Center, (which was nice, because thats were we are having the baby) to the OB Triage Reception. They placed me in a room and triaged me and then started to try for my IV. It took over an hour, 3 nurses and 5 prods with the needle to get it started. This made the seriousness of my dehydration real. I have fabulous veins. I have had Nursing students practice on me as their first time patient. I have easy veins! However, because I was so dehydrated the nurses said the veins were too dry. :(


Finally they got it started and started pumping me full of fluids. Then the power went out. But thats another story... lol


They also gave me IV Zofran. This is a drug that is used to ease nausea and vomiting in caused by chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. It basically tricks your brain and stomach into thinking you are not sick. Sounds like a good plan. 


Finally after 4 hours I was starting to feel better... ready to get out of the hospital! However they almost didnt let me go because I had Ketones still in my urine.  Ketones are a sign that your body is using fat stores instead of food. 


So, after getting home I did some research about Hyperemesis. 
The most obvious sign is extreme vomiting to the point of causing dehydration. Why you ask was that the LAST symptom  I had... well thats because I NEVER vomit. I have only vomited a handful of times in my life, and it usually meant I was VERY sick.  I started consistently vomiting ( it was sporadic before) on Thursday, and it lasted through the weekend (which supposedly I hid very well from my husbands family.)


more research, more puzzle pieces fitting together: (from several sites)

▪                Loss of 5% or more of pre-pregnancy body weight

▪                Dehydration, causing ketosis, and constipation

▪                Food Aversions

▪                Confusion

▪                Altered sense of taste

▪                Sensitivity of the brain to motion

▪                Fainting

▪                Vomiting

▪                Extreme Fatigue

▪                Subconjunctival hemorrhage (broken blood vessels in the eyes)

▪                Loss of skin elasticity

▪                Headaches

Check, Check, Check. 

Thankfully, I have a few functioning hours of the day. There are some women that end up on bed rest or in the hospital for long stays. There have even been women that have died because of complications to the condition. 

I am now taking Zofran every day, and the nausea is easing... not going away. I see my doctor again this upcoming Friday and hopefully things will be better by then. 

For those that are wondering about the baby... I listened to its heart beat before I went to the hospital... and it sounded great. the Doctor says that the kid is probably oblivious to my pain and suffering. I guess that is a good thing lol

Thank you for your prayers and concern. It really helps get through the day :)

its out and official!

So today I told my parents and family... not the way they wanted, but the way I Felt was best for all parties. And then I posted this little gem on Facebook:

so... its like toooooootally official! :)

so far

Since my pregnancy journal is lacking and I have had a interesting time so far and am learning so much about life and myself... I'd thought I would share a few things:

week 4: feeling faint
week 5: Moody
week 6: HOLY CRAMPS!!!
week 7: really. Sick. Loosing weight...
week 8: colds and morning sickness equals HELL!
week 9: tired! Falling asleep in class, work and on muni

Every week seems to have it's own challenges. Just wondering what is going to come next!

Other tidbits I have discovered:
Stay clear of buffets, the smell combos make you want to run to the nearest garbage can.
Telling people you are pregnant makes them treat you like a fragile piece of china.
Being in massage school while pregnant is AWESOME! they always want to give you extra massage time.
Having a boss, who's wife had twins and a hard pregnancy , is a huge advantage for me. He's very understanding and protective.
Support is important. Family.and friends that are also pregnant are lifesavers some days.


When cravings occur... Don't make a ton of the dish. After a bite or two it goes from craving to vomit inducing. Ugh

Well, that's enough for now... I'm sure I will be updating with more.

make up your mind!

Yesterday I was told I looked green and I was glowing in the same hour.
Hopefully I have more glowing moments than green moments. :-/


7 more weeks ...

Heres to 2012!

Its going to be a great year!

we are increasing our numbers in September 2012!!!! :)

aka:

WE ARE  PREGNANT!!!!! :)

please NO posts on facebook!