Re: September Thread

[Mom-to-Luke]

I finally went over to the NBBC yesterday and noticed postings that several of our friends need our prayers -- Michelle (mish44) and Heather (isaiah43). I know some of you have already seen these...

Here is a link to Heather's post - I'm not sure it will work so I copied what she wrote too...
http://community.babycenter.com/talk/a1728785/please_keep_us_in_your_prayers?cpg=-1#c2006168605

Hi everyone,

This is a selfish post to ask for prayers.

My water broke at the grocery store on Sunday afternoon, and I've been in the hospital since that time. My doctors are treating me with terbutaline and procardia to prevent the contractions that I am having. They are also giving me antibiotics through IV to prevent infection. I'm only 30 weeks pregnant, so they've also given me steroid shots to help the baby's lungs develop.

At this point, the plan is to prevent labor until this evening, when my course of treatment with the steroids is completed. Then, the doctors will allow me to go into labor on my own, and baby will be in NICU for a while. If I do not go into labor by 34 weeks, they will induce (though with my contractions, the doctors don't expect that I will wait that long). I will remain on strict bedrest in the hospital until the baby comes because of the risk of infection or cord prolapse.

Please pray that our baby boy will get here safely! Also, please keep our two year old son in your prayers, as this is very hard on him. He doesn't understand what's happening and he's been packed off to distant relative or friends' houses because we have no close family (like grandparents) in the area. And for any BTDT moms, advice on how to handle a NICU preemie and a toddler would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Heather

Here is a link to Michelle's post
http://community.babycenter.com/talk/a1670155/thoughts_and_prayer_request_for_us_and_others


Good morning, Mommies. I will try to keep this short and very to the point. We are requesting prayers for us (selfish) but we are also requesting prayers for all the other mommies and families and LOs out there that are going through anything similar or different than us.

The pregnancy background is this. We have no kids. I have had two prior losses. I am 35 and high risk. I am 30.4 weeks. I have placenta previa since eight weeks or so. I was diagnosed about 3 weeks ago with Gestational Diabities. I have an anterior placenta, so I don't feel the baby move. I may feel him zero to five times a day, but usually zero. WHICH IS DEVISTATING TO ME.

When I went in the other day they did an U/S and he wasn't moving on his own. HB great, but not moving. They were worried about some muscle atrophy or something. When the tech poked him hard with probe he would have a reflex.

They have set me up for two non-stress tests a week all the way till the end. I guess they are on a pass fail basis. My first one on Thursday was a "pass." We'll take a pass...but they were making me drink juice and going to use this shocky vibrating thing to make him move. Don't know what's wrong with him.

NOW THE TOPPER........I am letting the dogs out yesterday morning before going to work and I see my DH pull back in the driveway after only being gone for two hours. I knew this was a HORRIBLE sign. After almost 15 FIFETEEN years of dedication to his company he gets laid off (along with 11 others). So what does that mean....it means our free insurance IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT AS OF OCTOBER 31ST, 2008. I will have no insurance. Now, we can buy COBRAT at 931 a month or we can go through Anthem (who we have now) at 2,000 TWO THOUSAND a month.

Their words to me were, "We can't deny you because of preexisting if you have continuous coverage, but we can also charge you whatever we really want." I hung up on the guy. That 2,000 is more than our mortgage. We will have to do COBRA, I guess.

Then the unemployment is, like, a little over a third of what he makes now. I see us falling into bancruptcy because of this.

I know the economy is bad and things are horrible. OH, and our 401K was 45,000 two weeks ago and is now 25,000 and they put a freeze on it and we can't touch it....because they may hire him back some day later next year. yeah right, like we'd go back......we are going to look into what this means more.

Anyway.....ever had one of those horrible crys where you are screaming like a physco? Uncontrolable screaming and grabbing your hair and yanking and screaming...yeah...that was me yesterday as DH was saying, "I need you to be strong for me, too." I am thinking I already work my butt off and make good money, but now we are screwed and bringing a LO into this world that may have problems that we don't even know yet. I am just scared and feel alone (even though I'm not) and just hating life right now.

Please....pray for all of the people out there that I know are going through these times, too. You never think it'll happen to you

Thank you, Ladies.



Michelle (Mother of two in Heaven)

[Amy]

Tif- To answer you question about why I’m not supposed to say the month, it has something to do w/ OSPEC, which is basically the “internet cops” for the military… There are a lot of rules about what I can and cannot say… (I think it’s silly bc my dh isn’t in a high-security position so I don’t know anything useful anyway, but I try to respect it.) I can’t believe how fast your labor was!!! That’s incredible. How crazy that your moms friend did that! I’m glad that no one was hurt.. And that your truck is fine! Scary! And I’m sorry that your dh had to work on his birthday… That sucks.
Kelly K- I’m so glad that you made it over!!! It’s great that your pregnancy is still uneventful. That’s what we all hope for!
Jennifer- Did you get your results yet?
Allison- I know I’ve been quiet… I have a tough time sitting at the computer long enough to catch up w/everyone. (I can only sit for about 5 minutes before I have to walk around or lay down.. Lol!) I miss you guys so much after a few days that I just ignore it. I’m glad that you’re able to work from home now! That should be a bit more relaxing.
Kathy- Thank you for posting those links on Heather and Michelle. I’ve been thinking about them and will definitely keep them in my prayers…
I know I missed a bunch… I just can’t keep myself focused these days!
AFM- My boys are kicking me like crazy!! My ribs are so sore I’m pretty sure they’re bruised. It’s comforting that they’re so strong, but it hurts sometimes. Matthew has been acting out quite a bit lately, but I think it’s my fault a little bc I have very little energy and he’s very used to running around all day with me. I feel like a very bad mommy… That’s pretty much it for me!
Oh, yeah! I took a new picture today, but I can’t get my photo bucket to work… Is there any other site that I can use?

[JenniferShafer]

Hey everyone,
No UTI! You won't believe what it was. Baby was pushing on my bladder. It was blocking urine from coming out. Also causing the pain. On Sunday, while in the shower(Thank God!), Easton decided to flip to the other side of my belly and it relieved the pressure on my bladder. It also left me with about a gallon of pee which I had no control over! I peed in the shower! It just came out with no warning! I can't even believe how much there was, but boy did I feel better! So the mystery is solved! I am so glad I was in the shower. Can you imagine if i were at church or something!

Today at NST thing are looking worse. it appears the baby is not moving as much as he should and it took several hours to get a tracing. His biophysical profile is still ok, but they think my health is starting to affect him. They are going to monitor more closely and are hoping that he will look better next time. I am also now on "limited activity" what ever that means. My BP was also a little high, i am already on meds for it but it appears it may not be enough now. If it remains high they will have to think about what to do next.

Hope everyone else is doing alright!
Jennifer

[tif333]

Jennifer - yay for no UTI and for being in the shower when the little problem "resolved itself"! I would have freaked out thinking my water broke or something.

Amy - Sorry your ribs feel bruised but that is a great sign that the boys are so active. I forget, did you choose names yet?

Kathy - Thanks for the updates on Michelle and Heather. I never go to NBBC anymore but went over there to leave them a comment. I also left them both the link to this forum in case they want to come chat with us.

Allison - Good luck on getting caught up with your 200 emails! That is great that you are able to work from home though.

AFM: I had a great doc appt yesterday. Doc said the baby appears to be head down now, which is awesome considering the fact that he's been transverse the entire time until this point. He also said that there was no blood in my urine this time. They think I passed a kidney stone when I was having those cramps a few weeks ago and that the problem is resolved now. Baby Ryan's heart rate was perfect and I am measuring exactly where I should be. Doc also said that he would like me to consider inducing at 38.5 weeks if I don't have the baby before then. He said that he won't do an elective induction before then unless there is a good medical reason for it. But given my history of extremely fast labors he would rather me be safe at the hospital when things get started because he doesn't want any helicopters landing on the freeway or anything because I get stuck in traffic and can't make it to the hospital! So now I know that I will have the baby by 38.5 weeks at the latest (assuming I don't go into labor before that). Yay! An end is in sight!

[Mom-to-Luke]

Tiff - Congrats on your appt and 38.5wks - I hope you are wait to be induced - your quick labors scare me.

Jennifer - Glad you didn't have a UTI - lucky that Easton moved in the shower. That would have been pretty scary/embarassing anywhere else. I hope your next NST goes better. When is it scheduled for?

Amy - I'm sorry the boys are hurting your ribs but glad they are so strong. I wonder if they are kicking each other too. Sorry about DS - it must be hard for him to understand your lack of energy.

Allison - I'm glad you are working from home now - I hope it doesn't get too stressful and that you are now caught up on emails.

Did you guys see that Heather had her baby boy yesterday? He's in NICU and doesn't have a name as of when I read the announcement.

AFM - My work is giving me a shower today. They decorated my cubicle and gave me a mum to wear with all these little pink baby things hanging from it. It is so sweet that they are doing something to celebrate Kate - I haven't been in the conference room yet - they have the door shut but I hear they have a game planned (which normally I'm not so into but it will be fun and I really appreciate them wanting to celebrate).

[tif333]

Kathy - oh how fun! That is so nice of your coworkers to celebrate the baby like that. I am not a big fan of games either. We didn't play them at my shower for my daughter. But my mom/sister say they are throwing this shower not me so they will play whatever games they want!

[Dashiell'sMom]

Hi guys,

Just a really quick post (I'm working from home) Heather aka Isaiah43 from our old board gave birth to her baby boy yesterday. The story is posted on the NBBC December board. So far mom & baby are doing well. I can't believe that after all of her bleeding that she had to go through that, too.

I'll be back tomorrow with more.

(((HUGS)))

[Amy]

Jennifer- So glad that you don’t have a UTI! Those are just awful. What are the drs going to do if your blood pressure doesn’t resolve itself? Are they looking at have you deliver early?
Tif- We did choose names, but I can’t remember if I posted them or not! We chose Nicholas Oliver and Zachary Elliot. It took us forever to agree, of course! I’m so glad that your appt went well. I can’t believe how close you are to having Ryan! How exciting!
Kathy- I’m pretty sure that the boys are kicking at each other. Sometimes, I swear I feel them doing it. That’s so sweet of your coworkers to throw you a shower! I hope that you have fun!
Allison- Thanks for letting us know about Heather. I hope that they’re doing alright…
AFM- Nothing new here. Dh is up for another promotion, which will make him a specialist. (He’s a Private First Class right now.) He hasn’t even been in a year and this will be his 3rd promotion. One of our neighbors has been in for over 2 years and he’s a PFC too. Just wanted to brag a little!

[Mom-to-Luke]

Amy - Congratulations on your husband's promotion. That is awesome 3 in one year.

Tiff - they played an identify the baby food game - the 6 participants didn't seem to enjoy the food but it was fun to watch their expressions. I wonder what your mom and sis have planned. I was surprised at how many people came - our office has over 50 people spread out between 4 suites in this building. And there were people from all of the departments. It was really nice.

[JenniferShafer]

I have NST every Tues. and Fri. So hopefully then things will look better and all the worry will go away. I don't know though, I just am feeling worse and worse. The guilty of having my health affect Easton is really getting to me. I know I don't have any control over it but it still makes me feel just horrible! My contractions have been worse today also. They had been better but now they are about 4-6 and hour, and strong. I will be putting a call in to my OB in the morning about it (Unless it gets worse tonight, then it is off to L&D). I am hoping that things will die down now that I am back at home and can relax. I have been going to my Moms each morning and just lying around all day and she helps me out when I need it. She also has been picking up the kids from school for me. But she just went out of town this evening and will not be back till Saturday so I will be all alone for the next two days. DH said he will take over making dinner as long as I am in need of help. So that is good. Except last night he came home with pizza, I looked at him and said what the heck am I going to eat? Pizza has to many carb for me to eat, especially at night. i really have to be careful about it. So I had a salad and watched everyone eat pizza (Which he picked up from my fav pizza place!) At least I did not have to make dinner. I am really trying to look at this from the "glass is half full" perspective. I probably just sound like I am whining. Sorry!
Today is International Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day. For more information on International Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day, go to http://care-aware.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!DBE452D9D129BF48!218.entry
Thinking of all of you and our angels today!
Jennifer Shafer

[Mom-to-Luke]

Jennifer - How are you? Please post an update if possible... I hope and pray your contractions have stopped.

[mom2miracles]

I need to catch up badly!!!

Jennifer : your in my thoughts!!!

My son had his tonsils out so we really have not done much of anything. He is recovering and he has been so pitiful that it makes me so sad. I hate to see a child in pain and not be able to help him....

I am going to go back and re read the posts and try to catch up. Not sure what is up with this sight but sometimes it will let me read and not post!!

Jess

[Mom-to-Luke]

Jess - sorry to hear about your son - I hope he recovers quickly.

Jennifer - I hope you an Easton are ok - I'm starting to really worry about you. I hope you are being well taken care of. Please post when you can.

[beth]

Hey girls. Just checking in.

Allison - glad your out of the hospitall and seem to be doing good. I have been thinking about you.

Amy - hang in there honey. When I was pregnant with the twins I broke a rib (or they broke it) and it hurt os bad so I am feeling it for you. You will really enjoy having twins. rest, rest, rest......

Hello to everyone else. Sorry I am having such a hard time keeping up lately. I am so busy and to be honest I feel i have been half assing everything in my life right now. I really dont want to do that so I am trying to make a change but its hard because I am so tired. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

[JenniferShafer]

Hello everyone,
Things have been crazy over here. My health has not been great. But yesterdayEaston looked better so I do not have to be hospitalized as of now. They said the bed rest is working. I will try to post again later. I need to go, my kids seem to be having a conflict!
Jennifer

[Dashiell'sMom]

JESS - I hope ds is feeling better!

JENNIFER - Glad to hear that bedrest is working. I know it stinks, but it's so worth it! You're almost to that magical 32 week mark. KFC that you go even longer!

Allison

[JenniferShafer]

Jess- My son had to have his tonsils & adenoids removed and tubes put in when he was 3. That was such a hard thing on him! It took over a month for him to get back to normal. I will be keeping you guys in my prayers.
Jennifer

[mom2miracles]

Thanks girls!!

Jennifer: Yes.. he def. seems to be having a difficult time. He is NOT ready for solids not sure when he will be. I am nervous for him to return to school. He needs to be feeling better and eating better first!! Maybe Wednesday. Time will tell. How are you hanging in there???? You have been through so much!!!

Amy: Wow... good for you and dh. That is great..
How are the babies doing???? Names yet??? How far do they think a twin pregnancy will go? Will you deliver naturally? I am clueless on multiples!!!

Hi to Everyone else!!! Hope your all doing well..

Allison: Thanks.. how are you feeling now??

Jess

[kelly k]

Jennifer- I’m so sorry you’re on bedrest but I’m glad things are looking good for the most part. At least they’re keeping a close eye and you and in the end you’ll have a beautiful baby boy! I have confidence! And I’m glad that you don’t have a uti and I had to laugh a little at your story.

Tiff- I’m so glad things are going well for you!

Amy- I feel you on ribcage pain, it is no fun! But I’m glad you’re growing two strong little boys! Congrats to your DH, that is so exciting, what good timing!

Allison- I’m so happy that you can work from home!!

Kathy- That is so nice that your work is planning a shower! How was it?

Jess- Hope your son is feeling better, tonsil surgery is no fun from what I’ve heard.

Hi all, nothing new here, just finished a huge stretch of work and am relaxing these two days. Had my 34 week appt today, he's flipped over which I thought because my ribs haven't hurt nearly as much this last week and I'm getting weird pains in my girly parts:) He's growing right on track and in three weeks she said I'll be considered full term! Crazy! Still planning on working full time since things are going so well, and I figure it's only 6 weeks so 30 shifts at most. Yes I'm counting them down! Have a great day all!!

Kelly K

[Dashiell'sMom]

JESS - My heart goes out to your ds. It must be so hard on you to see your precious guy in pain. I really hope he is able to eat again soon.

BETH - Good to hear from you! I'm glad to hear that you're doing well.

KELLY K - 30 shifts - that's great! I'm counting down the days until I don't have to work at all anymore. 5 weeks to go (provided all goes well). Yeah for no rib pain, but boo for pains down there! I guess we can't win. WOW- 34 weeks! That is so wonderful. 3 weeks to term - I can hardly believe it! Pretty soon, we'll all be posting our birth stories and pictures!

AFM - i'm doing well, but not doing much. We're trying to get the apartment ready. You would think it wouldn't take long with a 250sq ft Studio, but it's taking forever. We're trying to figure out where in the heck we can keep baby's clothes, what we can get rid of, etc. I'm also starting to rethink my not wanting to buy anything before hand. I think we may need to break down & buy a few things, but I'm still not ready to take the plunge. As of now, all we have is a glider - LOL!

[qvest]

Hey all!

Jess- sorry about ds, I hope he feels better soon, I hate when kids are sick, they're so helpless.

Kathy- WOW! Only 3 weeks until your term, isn't that amazing...I'm counting down the days, only 8 weeks and 2 days until my induction, unless doc decides to move it up early. I am measuring pretty big, almost 4 weeks ahead.

Allison- I know how you feel about getting things ready, I only have a crib and 2 outfits, which someone else bought for me. Thank goodness my shower is Saturday, then I can feel like things are progressing. I still have to move the computer to another part of the house and get DH's brother to come get his tv and stand before I chuck it out in the street, LOL!

Hi to EOE! Happy Monday

[tif333]

Hi Everyone! We have been so busy lately I haven't been on in a few days. We had a yard sale at a friend's house again (I made another $100 from baby girl stuff!) then we celebrated DH's bday with his family because they were sick on his actual bday. We also decorated baby Ryan's room this weekend. DH did the chair rail and we put a few things on the wall. I did have swollen feet for the first time yesterday I was hoping to avoid that this time around!

Allison - did you say your apt is 250 sq. ft? No wonder it is difficult to find places to put everything. My dog wouldn't even fit in there!

Jennifer - glad your doc doesn't think hospitalization is necessary.

Kelly - Just wanted to say hi! That is crazy that you are 34 weeks already. I am 31 weeks and can't believe I'm that far along either. Hooray for the work countdown.

Jess - Hope your son is feeling better.

[JenniferShafer]

Just wanted to say hi! Not much to report today, My sugars have been out of control all weekend and it makes me feel like crap! I feel so tired all the time but other than that not too bad. I have an OB check tomorrow and NST. I feel like most of my days are filled with dr appt! I have appts 3 days a week now (between NST and OB). How the heck is bed rest suppose to work if they are constantly making me get up and go to the Dr.! (Sorry for that short vent!)

Today is the nine month anniversary of Soren passing. It also is the 8 month gestation mark for Easton. I am so glad to have made it to 32 weeks but I also miss Soren so much. Today has been hard. i went to Costco with my Mom today to look at Christmas decorations. You would think that having another baby would make me think of this child and his first Christmas, but it doesn't. I just keep thinking how we would be doing these things with Soren. This is his first Christmas also! I wish I could be buying "My first Christmas" for two living children, and not for one and the other ones grave. Are any of you have a hard time with this? Or does having another child just give you hope and happiness? I really thought that is how I would feel. I was wrong.
Jennifer Shafer

[Dashiell'sMom]

QUINCY - I'm just too paranoid to have anything baby related in the apartment. I'm scared to death of having to put baby things away with no baby for the second time. I'm just not ready to take the plunge. I'm not having a shower for the same reason. My sisters are going to throw me a welcome baby party after the fact.

TIFFANY - Yes, it's Manhattan and my apartment is 250 square feet. We're lucky because the building is really nice and we have a separate bathroom & kitchen that are a decent size for NYC. We also have a great deal on rent, which is why we're not moving. With the market going crazy, rents have skyrocketed. The market value of our apartment is $2850/month!!!!! Can you imagine someone paying market value for such a small space? We only a fraction of that through a special program that dh qualified for before we got married. Congrats on the yard sale windfall! Can you post some pics of Ryan's room? I'd love to see them.

JENNIFER - I know what you mean about Christmas. It was always my favorite time of year, but it will now forever be the day that my baby boy died. I'm still trying to reconcile that. I don't know how we're going to get through it this year (it will be the 1 year anniversary), but I've thought of a few ways to pay tribute. We've decided that each year we're going to choose a boy who would have been Dash's age from Operation Santa Claus and buy gifts for that child in his memory. We're also going to find some sort of special tree topper / ornament to remember him by. I'm sitting here in tears now thinking about it. This year, we're going to stay put. I don't want to travel with a new baby, but I also want to be able to feel what I'm feeling and not try to be happy for those around me. It will be extremely bittersweet.

Allison

[qvest]

Hey ladies!

Dr's appt went good, I am on weekly appts now. My bp was high for me and now the nurses at my work are going to check it daily just to make sure it's not skyrocketing. Camden is laying sideways and doc wants to do an u/s every visit to make sure he is going to go head down...but other than that everything looks good.

Jennifer- Thinking about you today and baby Soren.

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