Annslie Faith Jones-Week 26

I have VERY good news to report! Annslie is growing like a weed...weighing in at 2lbs 2 oz! WOW! All my test results look good...so it looks like with continued bed rest we should make it into the safe zone!

Now we are just biding our time until we can meet our precious little princess! Addyson is going to be such a great big sister...and I am so excited to see the bond that forms between them!

Update on Annslie and I

As many of you know I have been dealing with intense contractions that are coming every 8 minutes and lasting for 30 seconds or so. I saw my doctor a week ago and he confirmed that they are in fact preterm contractions which can lead to preterm labor. He also performed a Fetal Fibronectin Test which basically tests the "glue" that keeps your membranes intact. A positive result would indicate that you will likely go into labor in the next 1-2 weeks. He also scheduled me for an ultrasound on Oct 21st to check Annslie's growth, my amniotic fluid levels, and cervical length. Luckily, I haven't started to dilate yet...which is good!

When I was pregnant with Addyson I went into preterm labor several times that was stopped with medication and bedrest...so we pretty much knew this was coming with Annslie as well. I am at an increased risk of preterm labor due to the fact that I was diagnosed with cervical cancer about 4 years ago...and had what is called a LEEP done to remove the cancerous cells. The procedure removes a large part of your cervix...therefore leaving you at an increased risk of dilating early in pregnancy. I also have "irritable uteri" which is caused by my uterus tilting so far back. Basically what this means is that my uterus easily becomes irritated therefore causing contractions! So...those frequent trips to the bathroom are a must...as a full bladder can irritate it even further! Its also not an option since during pregnancy my uterus sits RIGHT on top of my bladder! LOL!

I am on bedrest with Annslie...although at this point it is not strict. I can get up and shower, go to the bathroom, fix myself something to eat, etc. I however, cannot lift my daughter, vacuum, do any type of cleaning, etc. My OB is going to continue to watch as I progress in the pregnancy for more signs of preterm labor. I will find out next week if I will have to start seeing the doctor more frequently...but it IS possible that I will have to start going every 2 weeks to do Fetal Fibronectin Tests and to check for dilation. Basically, when I hit 34 weeks I have the go ahead to resume normal activities. I am not the best patient as my husband will attest to. He frequently has to remind me that I am NOT supposed to be doing something. So its been a frustrating experience to say the least. With Addyson there wasn't much to do...but now that I have a 2 year old running around...its harder to just lay around as prescribed. I also am not a BIG fan of doing nothing....it may have something to do with my ADHD! I have chosen NOT to use Brethine (a medicine to calm contractions) with this pregnancy because with Addyson it did nothing but give me high blood pressure and make me feel like I was crawling out of my skin. According to my doctor, it will not prevent the contractions, stop them, or even prevent preterm labor...it is really more for MY comfort. So...since it DOESN'T cause me to feel more comfortable I opted against it. Instead I am on pain medication (which actually does WONDERS for calming the contractions). I am taking the smallest dose possible as prescribed...and after speaking with the doctor at length...the benefits of it seem to outweigh the risks. We are also using it to treat the extreme lower back pain (most likely caused by my previous surgery).

All in all...I feel very very thankful to have such a capable doctor whom is treating me. His training is amazing...and after my experience with him during my pregnancy with Addyson there is NO ONE else I would rather have as an OB. I appreciate everyone's prayers during this time...as it has been a stressful, scary, emotional rollercoaster as we try to deal with the bedrest, mood swings of a bored pregnant mom, and more. I know God has his hand over my family...and I know he is protecting my precious little Annslie! I so look forward to January when I can greet my precious baby girl...because in the end it is ALL worth it.