Hi Everyone,
Just wanted to give you an update. I had my first doctor's appt last Tuesday. She was very happy to see us and kept telling us everything was going to be ok this time. Oh how I wish I could believe her completely!
Since we do not have a definite reason as to why Zachary died, there is nothing specific we can do differently this time. They did find some blood clots in my placenta, but my doc feels they occurred after he died, since he had already been gone a few days before I delivered him. She reviewed the pathology report with a colleague who is a maternal fetal specialist and he agreed with her, but they decided to have me start taking a baby aspirin a day since it can't hurt, but can prevent blood clots. She also said that after 12 weeks they are going to give me a course of antibiotics for a week to help prevent any infections.
She cautioned me about eating any meat that is not thoroughly cooked and that any cold cuts should be heated up (kind of defeats the purpose, but I'll do whatever it takes!). There are studies about bacteria in cold cuts causing infections in unborn babies. My doc said she is not sure of these, but we are not taking any chances! She said she is going to schedule many ultrasounds and heartbeat checks to monitor Little One closely. I asked her if it was ok to rent a Doppler device to monitor the baby's heartbeat at home and she said yes, as long as I promised not to drive myself crazy with it! She said if we do rent it, she'll show us how to use it and tricks on finding the heartbeat of an active baby.
I have my first ultrasound scheduled for 1/31 and I can't wait to see Little One and make sure everything is ok and to see that precious little heart beating! She wanted me to wait until at least 6 weeks gestation so we can get a clearer picture of him/her.
My BP is on the high side and she is going to monitor it closely. I see my primary doctor Monday and then my OB 2 weeks after that. And with the ultrasound in between - I'll be spending a great deal of time at the Medical Center! I feel that between my OB and primary doc, they are going to do everything they can to make sure we bring home a healthy baby in September! And I will do whatever it takes on my part, too!
I'm sorry I am behind in my emails, but work has been absolutely crazy and I have been so exhausted by the time I get home that I haven't been doing anything except watching tv and falling asleep! Last year when I was pregnant with Zachary, I was working a second job during my 1st trimester and I don't know how I did it! I just want to put my head on my desk and go to sleep at work - it's a good thing we have been so busy or someone would find me asleep one day! I'll try to catch up this weekend or next. I hope everyone is doing well.
I'll let you know how the ultrasound goes. I'm hoping I'll relax a bit if everything is ok - yeah right! :-) Right now I'm just taking it day by day and not thinking too much about the future. I hope my sanity makes it to September!
Take care!
Love,
Denise, Mommy of Zachary (b/s 7/26/99) and Little One EDD 9/10/99 (doc moved it up one day, but we'll get a more specific date from the u/s)