Baby Update

I know some of you have been keeping track of the latest developments with Baby Curry. I forgot to post an update last week, but here’s the scoop:

I had my first apt at one of I don’t know how many Women & Infants’ buildings (we actually got a little lost on the way; I assumed it was the building directly across from RI Hospital, and you know what happens when you assume…). I had to go to the bathroom SO BADLY because I had had something to eat and drink before leaving, and THEN we were a little late (Phil was getting upset, so he was driving fast over bumps and taking sharp turns), and THEN I had to wait a while… PLUS my beloved little fetus kept kicking my bladder. I was NOT a happy camper, but I suppose it took my mind [somewhat] off the reason we were there.

The technician took a million photos, and wasn’t very conversational. When I asked her if everyone looked fine, she said “I don’t make a diagnosis; I’m not a doctor.” Oh – I thought they could still recognize what they were looking at. *shrugs* I dunno. Halfway through I was allowed to go to the bathroom, which was heavenly. Afterwards, a doctor came in, did a short scan, and told me what they’re basically looking for – they zero in on one particular vein/vesel, I guess near the baby’s heart, take some precise measurements, and determine whether or not anemia is present. The consensus was that the numbers were normal… PHEW!

BUT… I have to go back every week to get tested (so far just ultrasounds, no amnio), because it could change any time. I was EXTREMELY relieved that she was healthy as of last week… but I’m still worried since I have a number of weeks left to continue incubating my child. I go back tomorrow afternoon, and know that with each visit my heart will be in my throat.

The doctor seemed surprised that the baby hasn’t turned yet – and I thought I still had quite a bit of time left! I still haven’t experienced any kicks in the ribs, because she’s still breech. I’m wondering if I should be worried about THAT, too – another reason to anticipate a c-section. *sigh*

Thanks for your prayers, and keep ‘em

Like Mother, Like Daughter

D’ya think we look alike?

ME:
  

BABY:
     

The ultrasound technician and I agree that she had my nose and lips. *grin*

I was all assured that things were going pretty well. Everything looks “normal,” and I hadn’t heard from my doctor about the bloodwork yesterday so I assumed “no news is good new.” I called the office when I got home to inquire as whether my results were in or not, and was told they have gone up – more than doubled in a week. They’re sending me to Women & Infants’.

I’m really scared.

Baby Shower

Yes, it was a surprise, despite the fact that I’d told a number of people NOT to surprise me! Oh well. The cover story: my sister-in-law Jen was hosting a birthday party for her sons at the fire department. I was wondering why she wouldn’t have it at her house, as usual, but get this – she asked me to make a cake for the boys! Which meant I would have been making my own shower cake! That really threw me off. I told her I wouldn’t be able to do it, because I was busy with Erin’s wedding cake the day before… which actually threw a wrench in the works, I gather, because the shower was originally planned for Saturday. Oops! It’s not my fault!

It was really nice, and I got to see a bunch of friends and family. I don’t have a lot of pictures myself, but am hoping some will get sent my way. Here are some of the ones taken at the end (click on image for larger view):

Nikki & me

Nikki, me, & Kat

Me, Kim, & Jen – all the pregger bellies!

Me, Kim, & Jen

Me, Kim, & Jen - pregger bellies up close!

Phil was surprised, too. He thought this was planned for our anniversary this weekend. I was highly disappointed; all along he’s been telling me he has plans for us, when really he was relying on THIS to be a stand-in. When I found out, I was like, “You mean, you didn’t really have anything planned all along?” He just gave me a sheepish grin. Phooey. My hope had been momentarily restored, all excited at the prospect that he was going to take me somwhere. *sigh* That’ll teach me…

I wish some of my friends who wanted were able to help out, but it seems my MIL took hold of the reigns as far as shower planning goes. There were some other people I had specifically wanted invited, but I don’t know if they were. Sorry! And afterwards I realized no one had made favors – I hope that’s not rude! I know it’s a nice thing to send people away with a parting gift – and we did send home lots of leftovers – but still. That’s something simple and meaningful the girls could have done – put together some cute, inexpensive favors. Too bad it’s taboo to throw your own shower – I was VERY blessed and appreciative – but I hope no one felt left out or offended. I reiterate: it’s not my fault!

Thanks to all who attended; official “Thank You”s will get mailed soon (hopefully)!

Erin’s Big Day… including, of course, her dream wedding cake

So another wedding cake under my belt. I’d say literally and figuratively, but I didn’t stay for dessert. Erin, I hope the cake tasted good! I was surprised how well it all came together; the ribbon I picked matched the flowers perfectly. And of course fresh flowers always looks good – just stick them in front of flaws, and you’re good to go! That’s why I like LOTS of flowers!

It was a beautiful day for a wedding, and Erin’s was outside. I didn’t get a lot of pictures, but here are a couple from when the ceremony was starting:

I was dreadfully tired from working two really long days on the cake, getting up early to get ready and make sure everything was all set, nervously driving the cake to Dartmouth, and trying to be nonchalant in a group of total strangers (I just knew Erin’s fam).

Afterwards we went to Phil’s company clambake, where again I didn’t know anyone (well, some of them I’ve met, but don’t really KNOW)! There, I had some chowder and chatted with some people, but they weren’t serving any food (the stones for the clambake cooled off, so they had to get it going again) and we were hungry because we left the wedding early! We left for a fire dept. run just down the street, and when we came back the guys were badgering Phil to play horse shoes… so I took his keys and drove home (he works in Exeter, so home isn’t far).

Now, I’m just cleaning up a little and sharing pics of the wedding cake:

Finally spoke to the doctor…

I suppose I should feel encouraged, but I really don’t. I think it’s their job to put your mind at ease, and try to pull you away from worst-case scenarios.

I have a low level of the antibodies (forget the official name), but they’re “the lowest they can be,” and apparently they “deal with patients like this all the time.” Great – there are stillbirths dealt with all the time as well, and somehow that doesn’t paint a rosy picture. There doesn’t seem to be a clear-cut reason why I’ve developed this; it sounds like there are rare cases when a woman can become sensitized between first finding out she’s pregnant and week 28, when the shot of Rhogamm is routinely admitted. So there wouldn’t necessarily be any reason to keep testing; they question is, did my doctor(s) perform an initial test? I’ll be asking that next week at my apt.

Sure enough, when I inquired about my baby getting sick and some of the outcomes I’d read about, my doctor said, “I think you’re looking at extreme cases.” Okay then, what should I expect? They’re going to keep monitoring me every month, and if the levels get past a certain point – there’s nothing I can do, they’ll decide on their own, damn bastards – I have to see a specialist (think amnio, possible inductions, etc). Sounds like this part of the article I linked in my last entry:

Your practitioner can monitor your levels of antibodies and keep tabs on your baby’s condition during the pregnancy to see whether he’s developing the disease. She may check on the condition of your baby’s red blood cells using Doppler ultrasound or amniocentesis.

I asked what I should expect if I continue at the same levels, if I should anticipate anything bad, and she said “I wouldn’t” or something to that effect. I think she was trying to tell me not to get ahead of myself – but what do I know? I can’t help but worry, especially when I read this next part:

If he’s doing well, you might (emphasis, mine) be able to carry him to term without complications. After birth, he may be given an “exchange transfusion” to replace his diseased Rh-positive red blood cells with healthy Rh-negative cells. This stabilizes the level of red blood cells and minimizes further damage by antibodies circulating in his bloodstream. Over time these Rh-negative blood cells will die off and all your baby’s red blood cells will be Rh-positive again, but by that time, the attacking antibodies will be gone.

I believe this is an extreme case, but could possibly be a next step:

If your baby’s in distress, he might be delivered early or given transfusions through the umbilical cord. The survival rate for babies who receive a transfusion while in utero is as high as 80 to 100 percent, unless they have hydrops (a complication caused by severe anemia), in which case the chances of survival are about 40 to 70 percent.

Needless to say, I’m rather discouraged, and even though she didn’t seem to think it was serious – “these things happen all the time!” – I can’t help but worry about it. And I’m further distressed when I read this:

Once you’re sensitized, you have the antibodies forever. And you produce more with each pregnancy, so the risk of Rh disease is worse for each subsequent baby.

Does that mean I shouldn’t have more kids? And what would I do – get my tubes tied or take BC till I go through menopause? I don’t understand… I feel rather lost.