Pregnancy Update..Can I ask for more prayers?

Well this is an overdue update that I've been avoiding because I just don't like sounding dramatic on my blog. But, we could use the extra thoughts and prayers so here is my update...

I figured with my history that I would having issues with this pregnancy but I was also hoping since there will almost be 5 years between this baby and Morgan, that maybe the issues wouldn't be an issue. But, this past week we found out, they are back. With both Sydney and Morgan I developed a condition called pre eclampsia which can be pretty dangerous. With Syd it was ok, I developed it toward the end and she was born healthy. With Morgan I developed it earlier in the pregnancy and, at 34 weeks, I also developed a dangerous condition called HELLP syndrome. The doctor said Morgan needed to be born right then. He wasn't even going to wait for Loren to run home and get the camera. Fortunately, we were living close to the hospital and he made it there and back before they began my c section. (I won't get into the scary parts of it on here, if you want to learn more about those conditions, click on the names and it will take you to a link or you can easily google them. But they aren't good nor are they safe. The only way to "cure" it is to deliver the baby.)

So this past week I started getting "the headaches" and spilling protein in my urine. My blood pressure keeps staying elevated (although we have still had some great numbers in between.) My blood pressure actually started rising about a month ago because my pelvis has separated. I'm currently using a lovely old-lady walker to get around. But now that the elevated pressure has combined with other pre-e symptoms, that is what we are dealing with now.

Yesterday I received the 2nd of 2 steroid shots called betamethasone to help this little girl's lungs develop a little quicker. I am now going for medical evaluations 3 times a week. Twice a week are non-stress tests (NST) and once a week I visit my OB who also consults with a perinatologist about the best course of action. The biggest problem is I almost 27 weeks pregnant...almost to my 7th month but not quite. My doctor told me at my appt 2 days ago that he thinks we will be lucky to get 2 or 3 more weeks out of this pregnancy.

My heart jumped into my throat. I'm sure it didn't help my blood pressure. I've been scared. All we have wanted was to have a healthy pregnancy and we are struggling accomplishing that.

The biggest guilt I feel is that this precious little baby is perfect. Growing perfect. Very active. Everything is developing right on track. Her problem is me. Her mom. I have an inhospitable environment for growing people and I feel so bad that this is probably going to make me deliver a sweet baby girl too early. Of course, I recognize the technology is wonderful and at this gestation she would probably be just fine after a very long NICU stay and probably a few complications. If she does come in the next few weeks I will probably be life flighted to a very good hospital about 3 hours south of here where I will deliver and Baby Girl will start her little, precious life.

We are optimistic that I will carry her further than what my doctor thinks but we are also being realistic that full term for her is probably not an option...but with God all things are possible so we have been flooding the heavens with our prayers and hope you will join us. Now we just need to sit back and trust Him and His plan. I will try to be better at updating with pregnancy announcements and I have some friends on hand that will update if I can't because of hospital bedrest or delivery or whatever.

I'm sorry for a downer post. Like I said, we are still cautiously optimistic. I am following doctor's orders to a T. We have so much help it's amazing. We feel very loved. We have been getting about 2 meals a week brought in plus people running to the store for me and my family helping me clean. It's been a great opportunity to know how loved we are and how willing people are to help us out. Thank you. For now, I am drinking lots and lots of water. I am staying down most of the time. I am taking my medications religiously and doing all else my Dr orders. We are keeping this little girl in as long as possible. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers, my wonderful blog readers. And, of course I have pictures! :-)

~This is me 2 days shy of being 27 weeks pregnant. (6 months and 3 weeks pregnant.)

~This is the terrible, painful, I hate it with every ounce of my body steroid shot. But I will love it if it helps my baby develop a bit quicker to help her on the outside world. (My butt and leg muscles still hurt and I am not joking.) I hate needles. Click HERE for a post I wrote a few months ago if you need a refresher on how I despise needles. Loren said it was as long as the nurses finger and the gauge was about the size of a fork tong. I didn't look at it because I didn't care to see it. (Yes, Sydney is much braver than I am when it comes to needles.)

~My little bed on the couch. Pillow between my legs to help with the pelvic pain. Book on the back of the couch and water bottle handy. :-)

On Monday I have another ultra sound to see how big baby is and how she is growing. I will post those pictures and an update then. And I also know I have been TERRIBLE at posting comments on blogs and emails, etc, etc. Hopefully this sheds a little light into why that is and everyone can be patient with me. ;)