Less than four days until St. V's!

Today I had a regular checkup appointment with my doctor. The doctors that I usually talk about are in Maternal Fetal Medicine, and none of them are my regular doctor that will be delivering the baby. They just monitor my weekly ultrasounds, and basically come up with a plan on how we can give this baby every chance to make it out alive.

At this appointment we got to hear the heartbeat again which always lights my face up, because it reassures me that he is not giving up- so neither are we. I am already so proud of him :) This appointment was also very informational as to what is going to happen when I am in the hospital.

I will go in on Monday with Jeremy to get another ultrasound to check for fluid. They are also going to check the weight of the baby because it also has to weigh a certain amount to qualify him for viability. I think that it is one pound (but I'm not positive) and three weeks ago he was 14 oz so I am pretty sure he is viable at this point. I have grown a lot in these last few weeks! These Monday ultrasounds at Maternal Fetal Medicine will continue for the duration of my stay at St. V's.

After my ultrasound I will get my first steroid shot and then be admitted. These are not an ongoing treatment as I first thought. It will be two shots, 24 hours apart, and then that is it for the steroids. While I am admitted I will have an IV that administers antibiotics, so I don't get an infection. She told me this will probably last for about 5 days, and then I will be taking them orally. I will also be visited by my doctor daily.

I was informed that I will have to have a Classical cesarean to birth this baby. This is unlike normal Low Transverse (bikini cut) that most women have. A Classical cesarean is a vertical incision in the main body of the uterus whereas a Low Transverse is a horizontal incision in the lower uterus. Having this will prevent extra stress on the baby. This approach involves more bleeding in surgery, and creates a higher risk of infection after pregnancy. Having a Classical cesarean also means that all subsequent deliveries must be done this way because there is a high risk that the scar will rupture. From the stories that I have heard and the research I have done, I know that this will be a very painful recovery.

This baby will stay inside of me until I go into labor or I get an infection. Hopefully once the antibiotics are started, infection won't be such an issue. I know that the longer the baby is staying inside of me the better. Most women go into labor within 24 hours to a week after their water breaks, so each day that I don't go into labor is a blessing. My goal is to stay in the hospital for at least a month, but the longer I am there the better.

Monday I will update you all with my room number and all the important information you need to know to come and visit me. I will really need the company, so I would love to have any visitors! Please keep praying for a miracle baby, and that I regain fluid. Check back Monday for more updates!