Thursday's 10w5d appointment

First, my apologies for not writing before now. Everything has been a whirlwind since Thursday and I have been too overwhelmed. Who thought not working would have me unable to sit at my computer?

Thursday went very well. We had a 3:45 appointment, although we weren't seen for an hour. Poor Dr. Bailey had been up since 1:30am and, when we arrived at 3:30, was delivering a baby. Poor guy looked exhausted! But he was still chipper and attentive. I hope I'm like that when I've had only 2 hours of sleep (he didn't get out of the hospital until 11pm the night before- eek!)! Both babies were doing beautifully! They were asleep when the ultrasound began. When Zoë was woken up, she just waved her hands around until the annoyance passed her by, then rolled over and went back to sleep. (Peter, anyone???) Maya, on the other hand, like the drama queen clone she is, had a fit. Arms, legs flying around. Moving like a crack addict, she was PISSED off! Dr. Bailey chuckled that it is amazing to see their developed personalities already. That it is. They were both so very cute and hearing their loud, quick heartbeats is music to my ears. I still cry every time.


Sleeping Zoë


Sleeping Maya

My cervix, deceptive little $^#&$% that it is, measured 5. FIVE. Can you freaking believe it? Dr. Bailey commented sadly that, if someone just randomly looked at the shots of it, they'd never believe I have a true case of incompetent cervix. As we were leaving the hospital, I had a good cry over my cervix. Why does it have to look so fine? Why cant it look like the screwed up mess it really is?

My operating length (3) looked good and Dr. Bailey was pleased. We discussed when to start my 50mg of Indocin (3 doses on Monday, 8 hours apart) and the surgery, then our appointment was over. Our nurse wished us good luck and we were on our way.

We went farther into Philly for our CSS meeting, which focused a lot on our educational backgrounds and issues of privacy and discipline. We left at 7:30 and didn't get home until 9. Thank you, construction on 76. Lovely... It was a long day and night...

Friday, I left at 6am for Lankenau, where I had my 2 hours of pre-Admission testing. I was tired and hungry, since I fasted. (Fasting pregnant woman??? Really, not fun... Not cool at all...) 3 vials of blood, a cup of urine, an EKG (fine), and blood pressure screening (also fine) combined with 2 nurses consults and a consult with the anesthesiologist who explained the finer points of a spinal and epidural (and why she would like to avoid general anesthesia with me). I am coming to terms with the fact that a huge ass needle is going to be stuck in my back. I'm not excited about this. This is why I took natural childbirth classes. To avoid the needle! But, as she explained politely, it is impossible for Dr. Bailey to perform the surgery safely without the drugs. So a needle it is. Fun times. Poor Peter is still steaming over the fact that he has to wait in the waiting room and can't go into the OR with me. I asked him to hold onto the St. Gerard handkerchief and the special baby rosary blessed by Pope Paul VI and to just pray for the babies while I'm in surgery for the hour. While everyone tells me how safe it is (less than 5% chance of something happening), as you all know- especially those who have lost a child- a 5% chance, when it comes to your baby, is huge. You'd rather rip your own eye out than put them at risk- any risk. Unfortunately, it's 5% or it's the damn certain 100% that we'll lose them before the next 10 weeks have passed.

The weekend has gone by okay. I blew our plans to go to Jim Thorpe on Sophia's 15 month birthday because I felt so lousy. I spent the rest of Friday and all day Saturday either in bed or on the couch. Just so tired! Saturday, during the end prayers at morning Mass, I had to run out of the chapel to the bathroom, so I could dry heave the breakfast I didnt have. Poor Peter came into the ladies room to check on me before the Rosary, which he ended up leading. When I got home, it was bedtime. He brought me breakfast and lunch in bed (I know... So sweet...) Then, when I finally drug my butt downstairs, he held me while I took another nap! Later in the day, my very pregnant friend, Meg, dropped by and we chatted for a few hours. Then, more resting until Sophia's dinner.

Perhaps, we will get to Jim Thorpe sometime today, if the weather holds out!