Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Uncharted Territory

From day one of this pregnancy, I considered uncharted territory beginning at 26 weeks and 2 days. It would be the official "I have never gotten this far point" but I was SO wrong.

Today, I realized I am in a whole new game and new things are happening even at 21 weeks.

Yup, Yours Truly found herself at the hospital today being checked for contractions.

First off, ALL IS WELL!

For the past week I thought I was having Braxton Hicks contractions, even mentioned it last week at my appointment. She offered to check me, but I felt I was over reacting and said I would be fine. The "contractions" got worse over the weekend, I could feel my uterus tense up and mild cramping. Then today it started to feel consistant and more of a gas type pain. She told me to call if they got worse, became more frequent or rhythmic.

What can I say?... I was being careful. I would rather be safe than sorry in my situation. I know too many horror stories and too many bad things seem to find me so I felt it was in my best interest to put my mind at ease and call my Dr. Which in turn, I was sitting in the office 30 minutes later.


So on I went, I bought myself a delightful internal, and a cervical check on ultrasound. Everything checked out 100% perfect! Holy cow! Something in my life looking NORMAL, say it's not so! I declined the NST option since I wasn't feeling what I was feeling earlier in the day, so I didn't fee it would benefit. My OB was thankful I came in and reassured me never to worry about bothering them. They rather me be safe than sorry.

But her explanation is what made me realize how I am in a totally different game plan this time. My cramping, pains, Braxton Hicks or whatever they may be are being caused because my uterus is reaching a size it never has before. Even though I made it to 26 weeks last time, my uterus was used to a 13 oz fetus, a barely there placenta and absolutely next to nothing amniotic fluid.

SO...
Even though I am 21 weeks and 4 days, this baby boy is growing with a normal size placenta, normal fluid and already grown to a size his big brother was born at. I am officially bigger than I was with Nolan. The way my c-section was cut (vertically) and how recent it is, I am going to feel these things and some of the feelings are probably 100% normal in pregnancy. But they are things that I never felt with Nolan. Hence why I am in uncharted territory.

I guess if I had these pains, and I was a normal pregnancy, I wouldn't have thought twice about them. But as we know, I am FAR from normal with a tad bit of anxiety and know all the bad things that can happen so I tend to lean on the "safer, yet look like an anxious freak when I go to the hospital" but hey, if it saves me or my baby- I did the right thing.

So on to pains, symptoms and experiences I never had before. I accept them with God's Grace and hope that all 1,786,240 visits to OB triage and my OB office in the coming weeks results in a healthy baby boy in the end. I just has to, right?

At least through out all this... Baby "I need to announce his name" has been kicking up a storm the past few weeks. But in the past week Chris & I have felt kicks harder than we have ever experienced before and even have recognized his patterns. It's a little bit of extra reassurance.

15 comments:

babyrndeb said...

everyday...one step closer. And you are right, that some of the 'normal' pregnancy things will be harder for you to differentiate. Just stay attuned to your body - you know it best

cmatsukes said...

He is going to be a perfect baby keep the faith he is going to be fine your body is working right and giving him more room to grow.
So excited and happy for both of you that you will be bringing your baby home. But stay focused and visit that doc as often as you need you have to be still be cautious. Take care.

krousehouse said...

You call that doctor whenever you feel anything off! And if you want, just to check even if you don't feel anything specific. Whatever it takes to ease your mind, because it's totally understandable you would worry. So glad all is well, that is a great feeling!

Lori said...

So glad it was NORMAL! I agree...can't be too careful and I am sure no one blames you for being cautious. They just want to see you bring home a happy, healthy little brother to Nolan!!!

Sar(Mrs.Teddy) said...

I am so happy that things are going well! And yes you need to announce the little man's name! LOL
You continue to be in my prayers Ashley.

rebekahlblack@gmail.com said...

my mom always says " you call your dr anytime you want to.. and if its nothing they can laugh at you as you walk out the door..." hahah im with ya girl!! <3 ya

Bree said...

I'm sure it feels nice to be in that unchartered territory. I'm glad you went to L&D to get checked. I went so many times I can't count. But, it was worth it in the end. I look forward to hearing the name you choose. xo

Lisa said...

Thankful everything is "Normal". Each day brings you a little closer. : D

Pretty Lil Parties said...

so glad all is well keep your chin up girl I cannot wait to meet the little man :)

Lisette said...

I am glad you went to get checked out and that everything is ok. I am really happy for you.

Holly said...

I'm glad you went and got checked. It's always better to be safe and have it turn out to be 'nothing'.

Anonymous said...

hitting new territories, new feelings is so reassuring. Its still hard, but it gets easier *hugs*

Mrs.F said...

I'm glad everything checked out ok! And yes, please announce his name... I'm anxious haha :)

Jill said...

Oh, I am so happy to have got to catch up on your blog! Now that I have access to my laptop here, I quickly went to blogs! And yours was the first one I came to. I am glad you went in for what you were feeliing. And I am so happy everything is going just wonderful. I tell you Nolan is surely watching over his baby brother. I feel the same way as you do, all these new feelings being at a certain point that I never got to experience. I actually am not feeling tons of movements, but babys is doing wonderful. Naomi moved so much until towards the end. But I am so glad you are feeling those amazing movements and strong ones, amazing! I also just read your post on giving your best friend Amy, sweet Nolans blanket. That made me cry. You are an amazing woman and what a wonderful mommy to give to! Big hugs and you are doing amazing! xoxoxo

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