Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Our New Reality and Why We Are So Thankful

We’ll be 21 weeks on Thanksgiving, and in the last week our world has been turned upside down. Let’s back up a bit.

We have a beautiful daughter Elia, who is as healthy as can be and will be 17 months old on December 6th. My pregnancy with her was textbook and we were very lucky considering she was a frozen embryo after many failed IVF cycles.




We did another frozen embryo transfer on July 17th and about 9 days later we found out we were pregnant again. Everything has been going so well but we were referred to a Perinatologist for unrelated issues that I had after delivering Elia.

Our first appointment with the specialist went well and we were told that everything looked great. We were confident that we were progressing just as we did when we were pregnant with Elia.

On November 16th, we had another follow up appointment with the specialist and honestly had high hopes that they would tell us that we were not high risk and that we could be released back to the care of our OB. We were asked if we wanted to do an optional test where they measured the cervix to determine if preterm labor could be a concern. My husband, the comedian, made some funny remark about having a tape measure in the car and we could take care of it ourselves. Ha, ha…silly husband.

We opted to proceed with the test on top of the scheduled growth scan. The doc started with the growth scan, and everything looked great. He worked his way through his checklist and we were so relieved that everything looked good and the baby appeared to be healthy. We also found out that we are having a BOY!



At that point he decided to measure the cervix and made a comment that it appeared short. After measuring he determined that we were under the range of ‘normal’ for this point in the pregnancy. The doctor sat down, put on his serious face and told me that I would be on bed rest going forward. He asked if I worked outside of the home, because if I did, I wouldn’t be anymore. Thank goodness, I work from home or we would have been even more stressed. He then told me that I was not to pick up our daughter or lift anything—basically, I was to get home and get to bed and only leave the house for doctor appointments or if the house was on fire. Shocked, I said “But, we’re heading to the airport. We’re going to Ohio for a wedding and Thanksgiving.” And, he gave me a look and said, “Not anymore.”

We were shocked and stunned and barely able to process this information. We went home, I kicked my feet up in the recliner and realized that my life as I knew it was going to be very different for the next few months. I then had a pity party (table for one)—and then I got over it. It was then that I realized that, this is our reality and I have so much to be thankful for.

We'll be monitored every week with a sonogram to measure my cervix to make sure that it’s not decreasing. If it does, then I’ll be admitted into the hospital for the rest of my pregnancy. We had our first follow up today and everything looked the same which means that I'll still be on bed rest but I get to spend Thanksgiving with my family and not in the hospital and that makes me very, very happy. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I’d like to share what I’m thankful for and why I feel we are so dang lucky.

 I’m thankful...

  • For my wonderful husband who has jumped right in and taken over so that I can rest. 
  • For our amazing daughter who, even though she doesn’t understand, has been so resilient and has rolled with the punches. 
  • For our healthy baby boy for hanging in there even though he’s anxious to be reunited with his sister.
  • For our amazing family who have all offered to do whatever we need to make it through the rest of the pregnancy. 
  • For my incredible boss and co-workers who have offered words of encouragement and have offered to help however they can. 
  • For our doctors and their support staff for keeping us informed and erring on the side of over-cautious to make sure that we keep the little man in there for as long as possible. 
  • For my body, because even though we have struggled with every aspect of conception, pregnancy, delivery, and recovery that it’s allowing us to have another child. 
  • For each and every day that our baby boy is growing inside of me and that takes us one day closer to our due date.

Team Ibrahim Wishes You, and 
Yours, a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

25 comments:

  1. Life can change so quickly. I love how you can see the goodness in all of this! You are blessed and your family is blessed to have you. I pray that the rest of your pregnancy goes as smooth as can be. I will be thinking of you and pray that you can find the strength to get through all of this.

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    1. Thank you so much Sara. One day at a time. :) Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  2. You are awesome Haley! I'm thankful for you and I'm praying for you, Zameer, Elia, and baby boy Ibrahim!

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    1. Oh, J-rap -- What would I do without you? Thank you so much for being so wonderful. Have a fabulous Thanksgiving!

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  3. This was a rather dramatic way to avoid having a cup o' joe with me in Ohio, though. :)

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    1. Ha! Seriously though, as soon as I'm cleared or have birthed this baby we'll make the time!

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  4. I love your positive outlook and your choice to focus on the things that you are Thankful for.

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    1. Thank you, Jodi! I hope you have the best Thanksgiving ever!

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  5. Oh haley, if you need to bend an ear I will happily set a "table for two" or since the little guy can hear too, a table for 3! Love ya kid!

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    1. Thanks, Tamara--love you too! Hug the family for me and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  6. So excited for you :)
    Love that the baby is waving Hi!


    Lanaya
    www.raising-reagan.com

    Happy Holidays

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    1. Thanks, Lanaya! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  7. Oh goodness. I feel for you, I was on bed rest starting at 30 weeks and it is not easy. You have a great attitude and if you ever need support or just need someone to talk too feel free to email me. :)

    Happy Thanksgiving!

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    1. Thank you, Leslie! I may need some tips on how to keep my sanity! :) It's so hard to remember that I can't just 'get up and do' like I'm accustomed to. And, not picking up Elia is absolutely killing me. One day at a time, right?!? I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  8. Replies
    1. Thank you, Veronica! It was wonderful! I hope yours was as well!

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  9. Wow, a lot of challenges but a lot for which to be thankful! Praying for a smooth continuation of your pregnancy.

    Gaye

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    1. Thank you, Gaye. Taking it one day at a time. Have a wonderful week!

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  10. What a sweetie! & congrats on the next one... sounds like you guys have been through a lot! new follower :)

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    1. Thanks, Kate! I'm so happy you stopped by! Have a great weekend!

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  11. Hi Haley,

    It is good to connect with you after the Bloggy Con. I am glad to hear you and baby are doing ok (and will be getting lots of rest). Hang in there. Sending good thoughts your way. ~Sharon

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  12. Found you via tea on Tuesday blog hop.
    Praying for you and your pregnancy. I can only imagine the difficulties of being home bound, but glad you are healthy!
    look forward to following along in your journey.

    Teressa @ newbornmama.blogspot.com

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  13. Hi Haley, this post is very dear to my heart as I too am 27 weeks pregnant. For the first 26 weeks of my pregnancy I was monitored every two weeks for cervical shortening due to some past surgeries and problems. LUCKILY I was able to squeeze by and my cervix seems to be handling the baby well. Bed Rest is not something any mother wants to hear (I also have a 16 month old) and I can only imagine the struggles. You have a very positive outlook and I hope and pray you continue to do well in the coming weeks. I look forward to keeping up with your progress. Keep those feet up and take good care of yourself!

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  14. Hi Haley! I'm a new follower and this post struck me - I was placed on bed rest when I was 2 months pregnant, too. Not because of cervical shortening, but because of HG. But I know what it's like to be on extended bed rest - I can't imagine being on bed rest while having a 16 month old! But you are so positive and that is awesome. Thank you for reminding me that there is so much to be thankful for! Congratulations and I hope everything continues to go smoothly!

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  15. I just found your blog through Tea on Tuesday. I'm 24 weeks pregnant with my first child so we're due around the same time! Being put on bed rest has been one of my big fears. I don't have any little ones at home but I work doing early Autism intervention so my days are pretty active. You have a great positive attitude and I hope the next few months with fly by for you with no more complications :)

    Holly
    http://www.stayrighthereblog.blogspot.ca/

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