Rosella's Pregnancy
I always knew I wanted another baby. I have always wanted one boy and one girl. Eighteen months apart, a boy first. It was how I always pictured my future. So after the issues getting pregnant with Logan, I decided to try something more natural. So I took supplements that helped regulate women's hormones, which was what I needed. I know I did not go into details but it took us about 18 months to get pregnant with Logan after taking progesterone pills for 6 months. So back to this pregnancy, I decided natural supplements, with ovulation predictor kits and temping.
Unlike with Logan, Rosella's pregnancy was more "planned" if you will. I was trying what I could to get pregnant without seeing my doctor. I knew exactly when my body would ovulate based on the tests and my temperature. So when I was 12 days past ovulation (DPO) , I took a pregnancy test... lets be honest I started like 8 days (which it usually takes 6-12 days to begin producing HCG if you are pregnant) so when I looked down and saw the faintest line, I was unbelievable happy. Could not wait to test in a few days after my body produced more HCG. 12 DPO was a Sunday, so I planned on waiting to make sure I was definitely pregnant before I told my husband. I went tot he doctor on Friday to get my blood drawn and see if it was true, even though the tests got darker (more HCG). Oh am well versed in "getting pregnant" now haha. Did a ton of research this time to increase chances.
So Sunday Oct 22 2017 rolls around and it is moms 60th birthday. If you recall, Logan was born on my dad's 60th birthday. So I get Steven's announcement ready and send him to get boxes to pack the kitchen. When he came home, he was greeted with , you guessed, more balloons! We also decided to tell my family today for mom's birthday present. She was so excited when she opened her present as well as everyone else. Had to keep the 60th birthdays amazing!
But the excitement did not last all that long. Halloween comes and I had my first episode. I started bleeding, which is not normal in pregnancy. All that went thru my head was I am going to loose my baby and mom is going to have horrible birthday memories because on her birthday we told her she was going to have another grand baby and now I'm going to loose the baby. Being so early, 5 and a half weeks to be exact, when I called the doctor, they told me to wait it out there was nothing they could do. If I am having a miscarriage they cannot stop it. Lovely, now I just have to wait. So days go on, and more bleeding on and off. Same thoughts continue to go thru my head. Finally at one of my ultrasounds from the hospital, I was given a diagnosis of a Subchorionic Hemorrhage (SCH) which is bleeding between the membranes of the sac around the baby. With the new diagnosis I know that I will have episodes here and there until it resolves itself, hopefully. At least I get t see baby more since they have to monitor the SCH.
So other than the SCH and bleeding in the first trimester, not much morning sickness thankfully! I do not think I could deal with that as well. So very different from Logan's pregnancy. I wanted to wait until we were further along and out of the woods before we told Steven's side of the family. With all the issues I wanted to keep it a secret from everyone else who did not already know. It was not the original plan but once the issues started, I thought it was best. But on Nov 23, Thanksgiving, we were at Steven's fathers house talking. Steven said "you know what is harder than one baby, two babies" in response to something that was said. Then his grandma looks at me as asks if I am pregnant, she was so excited. Anyone who knows me knows I cannot keep a straight face and I started laughing and grinning. Of course that gave it away.
On December 2nd, we told his siblings and his ex step mom. We had Logan in a shirt I had printed on holding the picture of his new baby sibling. Logan did not understand at all just thought it was fun.
We finally announced it to the public, thru Facebook and Instagram on December 23rd. I figured almost 14 weeks was good enough as the SCH was getting smaller in comparison to the baby getting bigger. So less risk. But of course the issues continued on and off here and there. I just got used to them.
Finally into the second trimester. Thank you God for letting us get this far! I prayed and prayed to continue and not loose the baby. My stress levels were still hit and miss each day depending on what happened but always was worried about the baby. Finally when baby started to move and kick, it helped ease my worries as I knew baby was ok.
January 31st, a Wednesday, we had the gender and anatomy ultrasound. I could not wait! We were doing it a bit different this time. With Logan we found out, had a party for everyone else. This time it was a surprise for us as well. Everything looked great and they were able to tell the gender. So we got it in the envelope and locked it away in my parents safe since we were having my sister do the balloons for the reveal. Mom and I made a box and got it all ready for the reveal and I gave my sister blue and pink balloons with specific instructions for the party.
Well, plans changed, Friday night around 1130 to midnight, I woke up, to a puddle in my bed. Stood up and I felt a gush of water. Don't judge but I smelled it thinking maybe I peed myself. Nope smelled a bit sweet. Ok well I did not pee I will go back to bed. Laid there for 5 minutes and said no if it is not pee its my water. Scared, I told Steven I was leaving to the hospital. Its midnight, the closest hospital is not my favorite but I am tired and want to sleep so closest it is. WORST experience EVER! I am 18 weeks and 4 days pregnant. They did not let me go tot the maternity ward, fine. They refused to do an Amnio-sure test, which would tell me if it was actually was my water. Just got an ultrasound which showed low but not super low fluids. I was leaking the water the whole time. The doctor did not come back in after the ultrasound. The nurse came in to discharge me. Told me to follow up with my doctor ASAP. I'm crying thinking the worst, normally your water breaks and you go into labor but 18 weeks is too early to have a baby. I go home tell Steven and go back to sleep.
In the morning I call my doctors office and tell them I HAVE to get in as the hospital said my water broke and I need to see them for a plan. We go in a bit later, remind you today is Saturday, we were supposed to have our gender reveal party at 2pm. It is now 10am at the doctors office for my appointment. I get an ultrasound which shows low fluids. I explain everything to the doctor and she was unhappy with the hospital I get sent to a different hospital which took such good care of me. They ran the tests but it was negative for amniotic fluids but water was low. 3 ultrasounds in 12 hours and each one we had to say we did not want to know the gender yet. It was so hard not to ask. We cancel the party and I am heartbroken. Its pretty conclusive my water did break but not confirmed by tests. When we get home, I get into the shower and break down. I tried to stay strong but why, why did my water break and is baby going to make it. Steven puts Logan in the shower with me and (I did not know until later) he made arrangements for my parents and sister to do the reveal. He told me to look picture ready in an hour. I was still upset but fine I will.
So the evening of February 3, we have the gender reveal, but smaller, and not how I planed but at this point I just want to know. We opened the box and the balloons came up! It was a girl!!! I did have my thoughts that it was based on the 4 week ultrasound as it showed the area and was girly. We were so happy.
February 19th I visit a specialist for high risk pregnancies. He reviews my ultrasound from the hospital and the one they just did and talks with us. As you expect, not the best news. I am now 21 weeks pregnant. We are told that I can terminate the pregnancy or keep carrying and see how close I can get to 34 weeks, which is the farthest they will let you carry if your water has broken. I was told I pPROM'ed (preterm premature rupture of membranes). We asked how good of an outcome does he think we will have. He answered based on what he has seen was about 30 weeks. We got the statistics about premature babies and everything you do not want to hear. We were told at 24 week I "should" go into the hospital for bed rest to be monitored for a multitude of things that can be deadly to baby and me. I was so hard to hear. To make a decision that will effect you and your baby. To worry about if you do not terminate and baby is born with so many things wrong how will we do it all and everything. It was a lot to take in and a hard decision to make. Though I honestly do not think I could kill my baby at that point.
So I go back to work the next day after I talk with my parents and let them know that at 24 weeks I will be admitted to the hospital until she comes and everything else. It was hard to explain everything to people because everyone had questions as did I but no one could provide answers. I talked with my manager and told her what was going on and I would be taking disability then parental leave and everything else. I got my affairs in order at work because I was stopping work on Monday until I returned months and months later. It was hard. I did not tell many people what was going on. Honestly I did not want the pity-party or the hundred questions everyone would ask for me to only say I do not know.
March 12th comes and I am 24 weeks. I have my bags packed and we await the call from the hospital for my arrival time. It was hard. Waiting for the call, knowing that I would be away from my family, my friends, my pets, my life pretty much. For a duration that only God could tell you. Though I knew it would be no longer than about 11 weeks as she would not be able to go past 34 weeks. When we arrived to the hospital, everyone was welcoming and friendly. Which made it a bit easier.
Fast forward thru most of the time, Mondays were ultrasound days, Tuesdays my parents brought dinner, Wednesday was when mom brought Logan, Thursday was when Steven visited, Friday nothing really happened, Saturday my mom and sister would visit and Sundays mom and sister would come. Sometimes on the weekend my brother, sister in law, husband and son would also come but not as often. Watched the tv everyday and played on my laptop mostly. Most days were the same as far as I was fine just waiting. Some things would come and go but nothing the doctors were worried about.
I had a small baby shower at the hospital on April 29 and planned maternity pictures for May 6.... but that didn't happen.
As I write this post 8 months after my daughter was born, I have mixed feelings about it. It was nice to feel like I had no responsibilities again but I missed out on a lot while I was gone. Though I am thankful I was there due to the fact I had no idea I was in labor until I was 9cm and my body was telling me it was time to push. For that very reason, with all the unknowns about how she would be when she was born, if I was not in the hospital, I would have had her where I was at that time. Birth story and the big production that was is in the next post.
Unlike with Logan, Rosella's pregnancy was more "planned" if you will. I was trying what I could to get pregnant without seeing my doctor. I knew exactly when my body would ovulate based on the tests and my temperature. So when I was 12 days past ovulation (DPO) , I took a pregnancy test... lets be honest I started like 8 days (which it usually takes 6-12 days to begin producing HCG if you are pregnant) so when I looked down and saw the faintest line, I was unbelievable happy. Could not wait to test in a few days after my body produced more HCG. 12 DPO was a Sunday, so I planned on waiting to make sure I was definitely pregnant before I told my husband. I went tot he doctor on Friday to get my blood drawn and see if it was true, even though the tests got darker (more HCG). Oh am well versed in "getting pregnant" now haha. Did a ton of research this time to increase chances.
So Sunday Oct 22 2017 rolls around and it is moms 60th birthday. If you recall, Logan was born on my dad's 60th birthday. So I get Steven's announcement ready and send him to get boxes to pack the kitchen. When he came home, he was greeted with , you guessed, more balloons! We also decided to tell my family today for mom's birthday present. She was so excited when she opened her present as well as everyone else. Had to keep the 60th birthdays amazing!
So other than the SCH and bleeding in the first trimester, not much morning sickness thankfully! I do not think I could deal with that as well. So very different from Logan's pregnancy. I wanted to wait until we were further along and out of the woods before we told Steven's side of the family. With all the issues I wanted to keep it a secret from everyone else who did not already know. It was not the original plan but once the issues started, I thought it was best. But on Nov 23, Thanksgiving, we were at Steven's fathers house talking. Steven said "you know what is harder than one baby, two babies" in response to something that was said. Then his grandma looks at me as asks if I am pregnant, she was so excited. Anyone who knows me knows I cannot keep a straight face and I started laughing and grinning. Of course that gave it away.
On December 2nd, we told his siblings and his ex step mom. We had Logan in a shirt I had printed on holding the picture of his new baby sibling. Logan did not understand at all just thought it was fun.
We finally announced it to the public, thru Facebook and Instagram on December 23rd. I figured almost 14 weeks was good enough as the SCH was getting smaller in comparison to the baby getting bigger. So less risk. But of course the issues continued on and off here and there. I just got used to them.
Finally into the second trimester. Thank you God for letting us get this far! I prayed and prayed to continue and not loose the baby. My stress levels were still hit and miss each day depending on what happened but always was worried about the baby. Finally when baby started to move and kick, it helped ease my worries as I knew baby was ok.
January 31st, a Wednesday, we had the gender and anatomy ultrasound. I could not wait! We were doing it a bit different this time. With Logan we found out, had a party for everyone else. This time it was a surprise for us as well. Everything looked great and they were able to tell the gender. So we got it in the envelope and locked it away in my parents safe since we were having my sister do the balloons for the reveal. Mom and I made a box and got it all ready for the reveal and I gave my sister blue and pink balloons with specific instructions for the party.
Well, plans changed, Friday night around 1130 to midnight, I woke up, to a puddle in my bed. Stood up and I felt a gush of water. Don't judge but I smelled it thinking maybe I peed myself. Nope smelled a bit sweet. Ok well I did not pee I will go back to bed. Laid there for 5 minutes and said no if it is not pee its my water. Scared, I told Steven I was leaving to the hospital. Its midnight, the closest hospital is not my favorite but I am tired and want to sleep so closest it is. WORST experience EVER! I am 18 weeks and 4 days pregnant. They did not let me go tot the maternity ward, fine. They refused to do an Amnio-sure test, which would tell me if it was actually was my water. Just got an ultrasound which showed low but not super low fluids. I was leaking the water the whole time. The doctor did not come back in after the ultrasound. The nurse came in to discharge me. Told me to follow up with my doctor ASAP. I'm crying thinking the worst, normally your water breaks and you go into labor but 18 weeks is too early to have a baby. I go home tell Steven and go back to sleep.
In the morning I call my doctors office and tell them I HAVE to get in as the hospital said my water broke and I need to see them for a plan. We go in a bit later, remind you today is Saturday, we were supposed to have our gender reveal party at 2pm. It is now 10am at the doctors office for my appointment. I get an ultrasound which shows low fluids. I explain everything to the doctor and she was unhappy with the hospital I get sent to a different hospital which took such good care of me. They ran the tests but it was negative for amniotic fluids but water was low. 3 ultrasounds in 12 hours and each one we had to say we did not want to know the gender yet. It was so hard not to ask. We cancel the party and I am heartbroken. Its pretty conclusive my water did break but not confirmed by tests. When we get home, I get into the shower and break down. I tried to stay strong but why, why did my water break and is baby going to make it. Steven puts Logan in the shower with me and (I did not know until later) he made arrangements for my parents and sister to do the reveal. He told me to look picture ready in an hour. I was still upset but fine I will.
So the evening of February 3, we have the gender reveal, but smaller, and not how I planed but at this point I just want to know. We opened the box and the balloons came up! It was a girl!!! I did have my thoughts that it was based on the 4 week ultrasound as it showed the area and was girly. We were so happy.
February 19th I visit a specialist for high risk pregnancies. He reviews my ultrasound from the hospital and the one they just did and talks with us. As you expect, not the best news. I am now 21 weeks pregnant. We are told that I can terminate the pregnancy or keep carrying and see how close I can get to 34 weeks, which is the farthest they will let you carry if your water has broken. I was told I pPROM'ed (preterm premature rupture of membranes). We asked how good of an outcome does he think we will have. He answered based on what he has seen was about 30 weeks. We got the statistics about premature babies and everything you do not want to hear. We were told at 24 week I "should" go into the hospital for bed rest to be monitored for a multitude of things that can be deadly to baby and me. I was so hard to hear. To make a decision that will effect you and your baby. To worry about if you do not terminate and baby is born with so many things wrong how will we do it all and everything. It was a lot to take in and a hard decision to make. Though I honestly do not think I could kill my baby at that point.
So I go back to work the next day after I talk with my parents and let them know that at 24 weeks I will be admitted to the hospital until she comes and everything else. It was hard to explain everything to people because everyone had questions as did I but no one could provide answers. I talked with my manager and told her what was going on and I would be taking disability then parental leave and everything else. I got my affairs in order at work because I was stopping work on Monday until I returned months and months later. It was hard. I did not tell many people what was going on. Honestly I did not want the pity-party or the hundred questions everyone would ask for me to only say I do not know.
March 12th comes and I am 24 weeks. I have my bags packed and we await the call from the hospital for my arrival time. It was hard. Waiting for the call, knowing that I would be away from my family, my friends, my pets, my life pretty much. For a duration that only God could tell you. Though I knew it would be no longer than about 11 weeks as she would not be able to go past 34 weeks. When we arrived to the hospital, everyone was welcoming and friendly. Which made it a bit easier.
Fast forward thru most of the time, Mondays were ultrasound days, Tuesdays my parents brought dinner, Wednesday was when mom brought Logan, Thursday was when Steven visited, Friday nothing really happened, Saturday my mom and sister would visit and Sundays mom and sister would come. Sometimes on the weekend my brother, sister in law, husband and son would also come but not as often. Watched the tv everyday and played on my laptop mostly. Most days were the same as far as I was fine just waiting. Some things would come and go but nothing the doctors were worried about.
I had a small baby shower at the hospital on April 29 and planned maternity pictures for May 6.... but that didn't happen.
As I write this post 8 months after my daughter was born, I have mixed feelings about it. It was nice to feel like I had no responsibilities again but I missed out on a lot while I was gone. Though I am thankful I was there due to the fact I had no idea I was in labor until I was 9cm and my body was telling me it was time to push. For that very reason, with all the unknowns about how she would be when she was born, if I was not in the hospital, I would have had her where I was at that time. Birth story and the big production that was is in the next post.
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