all is okay - mostly

Thanks to all of your for checking in on me and for your words of support and encouragement.  I'm exhausted from being awake since 4 am, so I'll give you the down and dirty and try to come back later to write about how I'm feeling.

Most importantly, the baby is fine. I think the word "perfect" might have even been used. Bumble is measuring right on track - measurements showed growth measuring anywhere from 16w5d to 17w4d. And Bumble already weighs 6 whole ounces! The specialist said that the skull, spine, and facial structure all look perfectly normal and that everything else looked good too. He'll want to take another look at the heart at 21 weeks, but only because it is too early to get the best view.

The not so good news is that I have placenta previa and a significant bleed in my placenta. Because this puts me at risk for a low-birth weight baby and pre-term delivery, I'll now be monitored by ultrasound every 4 weeks to check on Bumble's growth, the position of the placenta, and any change in the bleeding. He advised me to take it easy and to limit my lifting and bending as much as possible. Bumble is currently breech, although I know that can change. He advised that if my placenta stays where it is, I'm looking at a c-section delivery.

Despite the anxiety that John and I felt this morning, I'm really glad that I had the test done. If I hadn't we might not have found out for another couple of weeks, and now I know that I really need to be careful with my movements and activity. This is especially important considering that I have a show coming up this weekend and that I've been completely obsessed with cleaning over the past week.

I am grateful for the attention that our OB's office has shown us and for how this whole situation was handled. I'm so happy that I'll be monitored extra-closely to watch for any additional problems. John and I both appreciated how detailed and thorough the specialist was in explaining what is happening. I think we're both happy that things make sense - the spotting/bleeding - the abnormal blood results (due to the bleed) - and that we have some answers instead of having to deal with unanswered questions.

Oh, and did I mention that Bumble is a GIRL? We're over the moon - we truly couldn't be happier.

Comments

[Juli]

Congrats, Nikole! I was so worried for you, as I had a baby with an NTD...and didn't want the same for you.

I'm sorry to hear about the PP, but at least you have some answers about the bleeding and the abnormal results. Definitives are always a good thing.=-)

And it's wonderful to hear that you're having a girl! Although, I'm sure you and the hubby would have been thrilled either way...still, have fun 'thinking pink!'

All the best to you,
Juli

[Michelle]

omg!!! congrats on the baby girl! so glad to hear that all is well. take it easy!

[Katie]

Congratulations on a Baby Bumble Girl! Now, I know placenta previa is not a good thing, but I have had two girlfriends that have gotten through their pregnancies with that condition just fine. Sounds as if they are taking great care of you and I will continue to pray for the best!

[Andi]

A girl! Yay! Celebrating with you!

[oatmealcookies]

Ok, I'm crying over here! A sweet little girl!! Glad they are taking care of you so well!

[ali]

I'm so happy! Yay! That's excellent news!

[Tanya]

I'm so glad that they understand what's happening and that they will monitor you closely. It's such a relief to know that everything that can be done is being done.
What a rollercoaster, but I couldn't be more thrilled for you guys. You daughter (how sweet!!!) is a lucky little girl to have such caring and tenacious people for her parents. She'll be treasured, always.

I'm so glad to hear everything is OK :-)

Congratulations on finding out it's a girl!!!

[jv]

Yay for Bumble! I am so glad she is ok! And I'm glad that not only you got reassurance, but also the very much needed info on the placenta issue - so that you and the doctors can take all the necessary measures to make sure everything proceeds well. Everything will be just fine! Hurray for the baby girl.

[Milenka]

So glad that your little girl is doing well! Daughters are amazing, amazing little creatures in my small bit of experience. :-)

[Mad]

So glad to hear the good news. My heart sank when I read your last post. A baby girl! How fun. It's so great that you are getting such good medical attention.

[Mary Ellen]

OMG congrats Mama! I am so happy that all is well. Congrats on your baby girl!

[Mary Ellen]

OMG congrats Mama! I am so happy that all is well. Congrats on your baby girl!

[Cindy Nguyen]

Yay for the pink team!!! Awesome. Glad OB is monitoring everything closely.

[megan]

so glad to hear that all is well...take it easy, miss!
xo

[catherine]

so happy that all looks good-- I actually didn't do the quad screen bc I was afraid of a false positive--- but I'm glad you found out about the placenta previa--
I can't wait to meet your little girl!

[Valerie]

That is such wonderful news! Congratulations to you, John, and your sweet baby girl.

[joriel]

i knew she was a girl! i have a picture up of you and john at "soleil" on your honeymoon, and i keep thinking what a beautiful girl's name that is.

i'm so glad everything's looking mostly good and being watched carefully. take it easy! xoooo!

[joriel]

i knew she was a girl! i have a picture up of you and john at "soleil" on your honeymoon, and i keep thinking what a beautiful girl's name that is.

i'm so glad everything's looking mostly good and being watched carefully. take it easy! xoooo!

[rockmama]

SO glad that Bumble is okay! And hooray for being a girl! Lots of pink, frilly thoughts coming your way. :)

[lydia]

So happy to hear everything was fine! I feel like I know SO MANY people who have gotten a false positive on that test!

A girl...how exciting! And appropriate for the pink surrounding this blog. :)

See you tonight!

[Mimi]

Congratulations! Good news all around! Yay Bumble! Yay Nikole and John! Yay for blessings aplenty!

[Tina]

Congrats on the girl and everything being okay! Those quad screens are horrible - causes more stress than they are worth sometimes. I am glad everything is okay, despite the placena previa. Will be thinking of you.

[Cecilia]

Yeah for Bumble Girl! So happy you have reassurance that she is fine, and that you will get the close observation you will need to make sure she stays that way! Woohoo! So happy for you!

[skm]

A GIRL!!!!!! This is so awesome! I can't wait to buy cute little things for her. Take it easy and please don't hesitate to call if you need anything — even just someone to drop off lunch or wash some dishes. I'm so excited for you guys.