My cerclage was a success!

I finally made it home yesterday from the hospital at 5:15 PM. My cerclage was successful! I went in yesterday at 9:00 AM and the nurse started my IV. I was placed in a Labor/Delivery Room, a room that I will be using when I have 'Lil Bean. It was a very nice room, and it was huge. I had to have 2 bags of fluids in me before my surgery, which was scheduled for 11:00 AM. Phillip got to stay with me in the room the whole time. We watched TV to kill time and solved a crossword puzzle. 11:00 AM rolled around, and my nurse came in and told me that my OB was stuck in a surgery downstairs, and she would come up immediately afterwards already gloved up. She came back in to take me to the operating room at 11:30. We get to the OR and I was sitting on the operating table for the anesthesiologist to administer my spinal. She numbed my back and administers the spinal; I felt my legs get really warm and losing sensation. I was laid on the table so they could get me prepped and ready for my OB to get there. I was also advised that I would be able to feel them working on me, but it shouldn't hurt. I told them I kind of knew what to expect, as I had this procedure done 6 years ago during my pregnancy with my son, Kaleb.

My OB finally got there at 11:45, and went over with me briefly the procedure she was about to do. She started the procedure immediately after. I felt her working on me, and then I started to wince and squirm. She asked me what was wrong; I told her that it hurt, whatever it was she was doing. She spoke to the anesthesiologist and told her that I wasn't supposed to feel any pain, and then the pain got worse. At this point, I was in tears. Tears streamed down my face as I tried to endure the pain. The anesthesiologist said that it must be that specific lot of anesthesia; she used it twice before and it never worked 100% like it should. They finally agreed to give me additional anesthesia through my IV, which would make me sleepy. I agreed, and it was administered. I remember the nurse turning on the suction and watching the suction catcher gather blood (it looked like a lot), and that's all I remember. Next thing I know, I was being wheeled back to my room where Phillip greeted me with a kiss on my forehead, and the nurse telling me that the cerclage was in place and that all went well. I looked at the time, and it was 12:30, The Young and the Restless was starting. I fought sleep to stay up and watch my favorite soap opera. When it ended at 1:30, I was starting to itch from the anesthesia. I asked my nurse if I could get something for it, she came back a few minutes later and gave me a shot of Benadryl through my IV. It made me sleepy. Phill and I took a nap. I woke up because Phillip was snoring badly! I was cramping and I called for the nurse. She said that cramping could be expected, but my OB said that if I wanted to, I could take Vicodin. I decided to take the Vicodin, because the cramping was very bad. I felt a lot better afterwards.

The nurse advised us that I would not be discharged until I had full control of my legs and was able to get up and go potty. The anesthesia didn't wear off until 4:30, when I was able to get up and go potty on my own. I was discharged and allowed to leave the hospital at 5:00 PM. I was given a prescription on Vicodin to take for the pain and discomfort I was feeling. When we got home, Phillip made sure I was settled in before leaving to get my script filled. He also went to Cracker Barrel to get dinner. I told him I was craving pot roast and he remembered! I enjoyed my dinner!

It was so good to be home and in my own bed, finally! I am still thanking God that everything went well yesterday. I am so glad to have this behind me. It is another milestone we have tackled. With this procedure and the fact that we are now in the second trimester, it decreases the risk of miscarriage dramatically. I will be monitored closely to see how the cerclage is doing. No lifting anything heavier that a gallon of milk from now on, and minimum activity. I am counting down the weeks when I have to get this cerclage removed at 37 weeks. I have an appointment with my OB in a week, and will let everyone know how that goes. Thank you all for checking in on us :)

My cerclage is finally scheduled!

Becky from my OB office called on Friday to inform me that my cervical cerclage has been scheduled for Thursday, February 19th at 11:00 AM at Brandon Regional Hospital. I am to arrive at 9:00 AM and I have a pre-op scheduled for Wednesday, February 13th at 11:00 AM. I am so relieved that this procedure is finally scheduled. It's one more thing I can scratch off my list of worries. I entered my 2nd trimester on February 10th, and I am so happy. The risk of having a m/c has dropped, and will continue to drop once this procedure is done. I forgot to ask her, however, if I need to fast for this procedure. I guess I will ask someone on Wednesday when I go for the pre-op. It is an out-patient procedure, so I will be home later that day if everything goes well. Please say a prayer for me :) Thanks!

One more thing, we finally told Phillip's family. We were supposed to have dinner with his parents after we went in for the NT, but I was sooo sick I couldn't even get out of bed. So we went to dinner on Wednesday instead (I was still very sick). He told them that we went and had pictures done and asked them if they wanted to see them (he didn't mention what type of pictures), and of course they said yes. So I pulled the U/S pics out of my purse and let them see them. They were very happy and congratulated us. We had a lovely dinner. I also called my family in Virginia and shared our news with them, and they too, were so very happy. We also started to tell friends and so far, everyone seems to be happy.

When I went in for my appointment on the 6th, I saw a different Dr. at the office I go to (they have 4 OB's) and she said that they are still waiting for the results of the blood work for the the Sequential 1 testing, but looking at the measurements of the fluid in the back of 'Lil Bean's neck, it doesn't appear to show any signs of DS or any other NTD's, and for that I am praising God! So far, this pregnancy is progressing great. I am praying that it continuess that way.

Nuchal Translucency Test

Today, I am 12w1d pregnant. I am looking forward to welcoming the 2nd trimester on 2/11/09, I can hardly wait! I went in for my nuchal translucency u/s on Tuesday, 2/3/09. DF took the day off work and was able to go to the appointment with me. We got to hear our 'Lil Bean's heartbeat (3rd time for me, 1st for him) and it was strong at 182 bpm. We also got to see our baby swimming around in my belly! 'Lil Bean was very active! The technician didn't tell us the results because I also had to have some blood drawn for this test, too, but I was able to see the measurement of the fluid under the skin at the back of our baby's neck, and it was 1.2mm, which is in very good range and at a low risk for DS, praise God! The technician did not tell us this, I know this from doing some online research in my spare time. We also got 3 more pics to take home, and we have been looking at them non-stop since! We will not get the results back from the Ob office for another week or 2, as they are waiting for the results of the blood work from the lab to come back. I am eager to get the results back so I can relax.

Last night DF and I went to dinner with his parents and decided to tell them that they will be grandparents! DF told them that we went to get pictures done yesterday, then asked them if they wanted to see them. Of course, they said yes. They had no idea what he meant was pictures of their grandbaby! They were surprised and happy! And I'm glad now that we are not keeping this secret anymore, as it was getting too hard to keep up!

I go for another u/s tomorrow, 2/6/09, to get measurements of my cervix and to schedule my cerclage. I'm hoping that it gets scheduled for sometime next week. That will be a big weight lifted off my shoulders. Then I can finally breath!

Please continue to pray for a happy and healthy pregnancy for us, and for a healthy baby to take home. Thank you all!