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Thursday, March 25, 2010

My grief and pain are mine. I have earned them. They are part of me. Only in feeling them do I open myself to the lessons they can teach.



Today, instead of sharing news and photos of pregnancy, I am sharing the loss of my unborn child.

I knew the bright red blood shouldn’t be there. The same day, I was supposed to be taking belly photos and journaling the progress of my pregnancy in week six. Now, as I stared at the bright, red blood that over-took the clear water in the toilet, my stomach tightened, and my heart ached. Tears began to stream down my face.

“NO, GOD! I want to be a mother again!”

In a matter of seconds, I sprang from the bathroom, called my husband, who then suggested I call OB/GYN. I called the number to the OB/GYN and let it ring through to the operator who gave my message to the doctor on call. Two minutes later the doctor returned my call.

“Is there anything I can do?” I managed to say, holding back tears.

“Unfortunately, no,” the doctor replied. “I’m sorry.”

March 25, 2010, I’d awoken, pregnant, at 5 A.M. I’d thanked God for answering my prayers, wondered whether the baby was a boy or a girl, and dreamed about what my child would look like at his/her birth in November.

When I hung up the phone, the clock read 6:54 A.M.

And my baby was no longer living.

I called my OB/GYN after they finally opened and set my appointment for 2:10 P.M. the same day. I thought there was still a chance that I hadn’t miscarried, but I just needed verification. The OB/GYN did a pelvic exam and showed concern that I had a small uterus and a closed cervix. She decided to do a vaginal ultra-sound. It was confirmed on the ultra-sound monitor that I had miscarried. When I looked at the monitor my uterus was empty, with exception to a thin line of tissue that hadn’t passed yet.

Apparently, miscarriage is fairly common and happens in 1 out of ever y 5 pregnancies. The doctor reassured me that there was nothing I did to cause the miscarriage; it was my body’s way of dealing with an unhealthy pregnancy that was not developing. She advised us to wait at least three months before we start trying to conceive again. Three months would allow my body to replenish the nutrients and hormones that I need to have a healthy pregnancy.

Before I left the office they drew my blood to test the level of hCG (pregnancy hormone). I have an appointment in a week to have blood drawn again to make sure the hCG levels have decreased and that I have passed all the tissue naturally.

I have cried many, many tears today. And I’m sure I’ll cry many more. I have been reminded today that I have a beautiful, little boy, a loving husband, and many family and friends who will support me through this difficult time of grief.


As I was saying good-night to my husband tonight, he said, “At least we have peace in knowing that we will be able to meet our unborn baby in Heaven some day.”

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again. They are given eternal life for believing in me and will never perish.” John 11:25-26

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Pregnancy Progress: Week 5

"There's a baby in mommy's belly!"


How far along? 5 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 0 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Nope

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: Some. I've got alot going on lately, so my mind wanders aimlessly and I have a hard time sleeping.

Best moment this week: Making the first doctor's appointment. However, I got a call today and I need to reschedule. Maybe I can get in next week...
Movement: Nope
Food cravings/aversions: Not much of anything sounds very appetizing. I have to eat every couple of house or I get shaky and feel light headed.

Gender:
Unknown

Labor Signs: Nope
Belly Button in or out? In

What I miss: Energy. I feel exhausted doing the same things I was doing before I became pregnant. Oh, and I miss my memory/brain! This pregancy I am suffering from a bad case of "Pregnancy Brain". I had a half day at work on Tuesday, when I got out I drove straight home, pulled in the driveway and realized I forgot to pick-up my son! I've never forgotten him like that before. I felt like such a bad mom! Hopefully, the "Pregancy Brain" goes away soon!

What I am looking forward to: The first doctor's appointment, watching my belly grow, feeling the baby move, and finding out the gender.
Weekly Wisdom: Make sure to eat every couple of hours to keep the nausea, shakes, and dizziness away.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Pregnancy Progress: Week 4



How far along? 4 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 0 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Nope

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: I have felt overly exhausted lately. I lay down to sleep and my mind wanders endlessly. But that could be something to do with everything that is currently going on in my life.

Best moment this week: Finding out we were pregnant on our 4th wedding anniversary. Spending our first night away from Seth to go on an overnight date.

Movement: Nope, just gas.

Food cravings: Home-made olive burgers

Gender: Unknown

Labor Signs: Nope

Belly Button in or out? In

What I miss: Feeding my Mt. Dew addiction. I've only been drinking a can a day and I'm trying to increase my water intake.

What I am looking forward to: The first doctor's appointment when we hear the heartbeat, the first ultrasound, feeling the baby move, finding out the sex, you know...the typical pregnancy stuff.

Weekly Wisdom: Women are pretty in touch with their body, so we know when we are pregnant. My husband wanted to wait a week after my missed period to take a pregnancy test. He didn't want to waste money on a pregnancy test that might give a negative result. I took the test the morning my period was supposed to start and it said I was pregnant. Yes, it was probably a very low amount of Hcg that was detected, but we got a positive result. And we were fortunate enough to be able to tell our parents in person.

Milestones: Finding out we are pregnant and sharing the news with family and friends.