Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Houston, We Have A....

Boy! Absolutely, definitely, no doubt about it, would've been able to figure it out ourselves without the help of the tech, boy! The weird thing is, I kinda thought I wanted a girl, and if I would have had to guess based on how I was carrying and on pregnancy similiarities with Addy and Eli, I would have guessed girl. Yet I felt completely unsurprised and totally thrilled when she told us it was a boy, so there you go. It kind of felt like the same reaction I had when Addy came out and was a girl, after nine months of not knowing. I kept saying, "I KNEW you were a girl!" Even though I hadn't KNOWN, of course. But it felt right. And it feels right that this one is a boy.

The ultrasound was not completely a pleasure, though, unfortunately. The tech didn't say anything to us about a problem, but once I got back to the exam room to talk to the doctor, it turned out there was some issues with the placenta. There is a large patch with three dark spots, and basically they're either bleeds or blood clots. Blood clots definitely being the worst scenario, obviously. Don't even google "blood clots in placenta." Not reassuring. There's very little hard medical information, just a whole lot of scary stories about babies dying or having to be born very prematurely because their placentas stop functioning.

So. My doctor wants me to stop taking the baby aspirin for two weeks and then do a follow up ultrasound, to see if that seems to shrink the spots, in which case she'd assume the problem was bleeding and if it looked the same or worse, we'd assume clots. I, however (and Jim) are not too comfortable with waiting two weeks. I'm especially not comfortable with taking a chance that it's "just bleeding" when if it is in fact clots, stopping the aspirin would be the WORST thing to do.

Anyways, after a frustrating afternoon, we decided to call back and ask for a referral or a second opinion or something. Something more than just wait and see, when every day the clots, if they are clots, could be getting more and more dangerous to the baby's health. So we're seeing a maternal-fetal specialist in Columbus next week, and (I think) getting a Level II ultrasound, which is supposed to be a lot more helpful for diagnosing intra-uterine problems like this. If they are in fact clots, I'll probably being starting the dreaded Lovenox injections after all. And, you know, wishing I'd been doing them from the beginning. Except that then that would've probably caused a miscarriage because of that subchorionic hematoma...

Well. Pregnancy. It sure is a fun, uncomplicated, guilt-free ride! Certainly doesn't bring to mind the expression, "Damned if you do and damned if you don't" or anything!

But anyways, sweet little thumb-sucking boy is safe and sound in there for now, and we are very happy about that part. I took the kids therapy shopping today and we bought him a little car sleeper and a tiny pair of Robeez and that made me feel a wee bit better. I also really want to get him named. I have this irrational idea that once he has a name, he can't possibly leave us. That a name will keep him safe.

26 comments:

Jess said...

Yay, I'm so glad that you have a boy and that having a boy feels so right! And I'm really glad you guys decided to ask for a second opinion because the "two weeks off the aspirin, wait and see" plan does NOT sound optimal. I hope you get good news from the specialist!

Anonymous said...

It's a Boy - HOORAY!!!!!

I hope next week brings nothing but more good news.

artemisia said...

A boy! Wahoo! Oh, little boys are such a delight!

I do hope that the appointment helps clear up the ambiguity, and that it is something benign. Or at the very least, easily (and conveniently) treatable.

Jana said...

Hurray - a boy! Good for you for asking for a second opinion. I hope you get some great news and an even better look at your little guy.

Fine For Now said...

Yay a boy! Congratulations :)

Also: Can you EVER catch a break! Gees!

Hoping to hear good news soon!

Marie Green said...

Oh, a boy! How wonderful! Your little family really has the best scenario for a 3rd pregnancy... you already have both a son and daughter, so NO PRESSURE and NO "so are you trying for a X this time" type comments.

But a boy! Oh, I'm just so excited for you!

That clot/bleed stuff is annoying as shit- to say the least- and I hope your Level II gives your providers some more concrete information.

Stay off Dr. Google, m'dear. Please?

Elizabeth said...

Oh, boys are the best. Yay!

Good for you for asking for a second opinion, you definitely have to be your own advocate these days.

Sending you and baby boy good thoughts.

LoriD said...

Congratulations on a little boy! Good call on getting a second opinion. I'm sure everything will be just fine.

Hillary said...

Yay for boys! I hope you get good news soon. In the meantime, have enjoy picking names. How about Graham? We couldn't use it, but I've always liked it.

Swistle said...

OMG! OMG! OMG! I haven't even read the post yet, just the part about it being a boy! BOY! BOY BOY BOY! YAY FOR BOYS!

Swistle said...

Now I have read the rest, and OH DEAR and I hope everything is FINE JUST FINE!

Swistle said...

Oh, and also, a boy is perfect for the third one because now if you have more children you won't feel like you have to keep up with girl-boy-girl or else RUIN THE PATTERN. Er, perhaps you don't get that way about things like that. (I do! If I had another baby it would kind of have to be a girl, so that we'd have boy-boy-girl,boy-boy-girl.)

Jen @ Rolling Through Looneyville said...

Yay! A boy! Addy has a great future of being wildly overprotected by her baby brothers.

I'm totally praying and sending lots of positive thoughts your way about this appointment and more so, about the waiting. (I'd completely lose my mind... you sound very... calm. Well, as calm as you can over a blog post). Hopefully it'll be quick good news.

Tracy said...

woo hooooo!

Tess said...

YAY! A BROTHER!

Congrats!

Fran said...

Congratulations!! I have 2 boys and a girl too (although the order is reversed from yours) and I think it is heaven!! I agree with your instinct to delve a little deeper and not wait around and I am fervently hoping for good news from your visit to the specialist :)

CAQuincy said...

Oh BOY!

I have a friend who was having what sounds like similar problems with her pregnancies. I HOPE you don't have to do the daily belly shots like she did. I HOPE it all works out. And NO, I couldn't bear the "wait and see" attitude, either. HELLO! HOPING for good news from the specialist!

bananafana said...

A BOY! Hooray!!!
Also - how are you not stark raving mad by now? so much waiting and not knowing - I'd have lost my mind. That said, I really hope next week brings you nothing but good news and puts your mind at ease. Good for you for asking for a second opinion!

Pickles and Dimes said...

A boy! Congratulations!

I hope your second opinion gives you some more information; who wants to wait two weeks?!?

Saly said...

HOORAY for a BOY!!! WOOT WOOT!!

Now, as far as the mystery spots...good for you on getting a 2nd opinion. I would do the same. Hoping it is nothing but good news!!

Kelsey said...

I'm glad you were confident enough to ask to do something else or it would have been a very anxious two weeks which isn't good for anyone.

Hooray on the boy!!!

d e v a n said...

Congrats on a beautiful baby boy! I'm glad you did the second opinion route, because that wait and see thing sounds like shit. ((hug))

Shelly said...

YAY A BOY!!! Boys are so fun and sweet!

And I will be thinking about you guys with your bleed/clot situation. Hope things work out well.

B said...

Congrats on another baby boy! You're in my thoughts and prayers- I can't wait to read a good news update soon.

Jennifer said...

A boy!!! That's wonderful!

I'm so glad you'll be getting a second opinion, the wait and see approach is torture. Praying for good news!

Mommy Daisy said...

Yay for boys! I will be praying that everything else turns out well!