I was incapacitated all day Saturday and hardly moved from the bed. My cold symptoms had worsened, but at least the bleeding had stopped. I could withstand a nose gushing mucous as long as the baby was ok. Hopefully the baby was still happily swimming around, since no one at Kaiser seemed to care about me coming in and getting checked out.
Notwithstanding a full day of rest, I woke up in a sweat at 5:30pm. Dean was at church because I’d asked him to go and pray for the baby.
I could tell I was hot and ran to the bathroom to take my temperature. 103. SHIT, my poor baby is cooking! I texted Dean to pickup Tylenol before coming home since we had aspirin and ibuprofen…essentially every fever-reducing med that you aren’t allowed to take when pregnant.
But not only was I a hot mess, I was dripping blood. I called Kaiser and they told me to come to the Emergency Room as soon as I was able.
When Dean got home, I took the Tylenol, then we drove to the ER.
There were only three people in the waiting area when we got there, and it didn’t even look like they needed attention. They looked like bored family members, waiting for word. I turned to Dean, “Well this should be quick.” It was 7:05pm.
A nurse called me almost immediately and brought me into the ER to take my vitals. My temperature was only 99.5. I told her the Tylenol must be working because I was 103 at home. She agreed that was probably the case. She said she needed to find a room where they could do a pelvic exam so it might take a while, but she found one right away and ushered me and Dean into a small room.
The doctor didn’t take long to come by. He introduced himself and shook our hands. “I’m sorry for the losses that you’ve experienced. It looks like it’s been a hard year.” I really appreciated that he had taken the time to read my chart before meeting us. He proceeded to examine me, then noted, “You feel very warm.” I told him that my temperature wasn’t that bad, but he said the thermometer wasn’t necessarily gauging my internal temperature. He asked how much I weighed and did a quick calculation on his iPhone. “To be exact, you’re to take 661 mg of Tylenol every six hours.”
The doctor then did an ultrasound. “I see the fetus.”
My hands were bunched close together against my chest. I asked, “Do you see the heartbeat?”
He hesitated, “I’m still looking for it.”
I clutched at my heart. Dean was standing next to the doctor so we weren’t holding hands like usual.
Dean flashed me a thumbs up. Apparently he saw the heartbeat before the doctor.
“And there’s the heartbeat,” the doctor confirmed.
Nothing spells relief like the sound of your baby’s heartbeat. The baby gave us a wave, then brought his arm back in. The doctor said it looked like the baby was sucking his thumb. Oh! We cooed. Look at our little thumb sucker.
I went on to get a pelvic exam and had to wait for the lab results after submitting two urine samples since the first was inconclusive. Everything looked fine, but the doctor cautioned that blood during pregnancy is never a good sign and is an indicator of an impending miscarriage. He reiterated the ‘cautious optimism’ mantra that all doctors must be required to say.
We walked out the ER door at 10:10pm. I know I give Kaiser a lot of crap, but I have to say their ER department is first-rate. The doctor even emailed the following day to check on me.
Our path to growing our family has been filled with heartache, and as such, I can’t emphasize enough how a single ultrasound, every confirmation that this baby is still present brings us so much happiness and gratitude. Every single day…every single moment with this baby is a blessing.
With every word of every Dear Vixen post I hold my breathe wishing, praying, and hoping that you, Dean, and the baby are well. I pray to God that your precious baby will be healthy and in your arms next year. My cousin suffered 3 consecutive miscarriages and was recommended to take a baby aspirin daily. I’m not sure of the benefits or if it really helped, but she did give birth to 2 health baby girls while taking the baby aspirin. Has that ever been suggested to you? Have you ever heard of such? I’d be more than happy to ask my cousin about it if you’d like. I lost my 2nd child and haven’t been blessed with a child since. I feel your worry. Prayers and hugs!
Glad to hear that. I will continue to pray for you’ll.
I, too, hold my breath as I see the titles of your posts then read each word. Remember that you have many, many people sending hopeful, positive vibes and powerful prayers in your direction. XXOO
Go Baby Go!
I had to take baby aspirin because my blood clots readily and it was thought that that was preventing proper circulation to the fetus. Aspirin is a blood thinner and might increase bleeding.
Catherine, I have been patiently waiting for an update and seriously so happy you did hear and see the heartbeat, as well as baby again. Seriously, wish I could reach out and hug you now more then ever. I am not sure if you are going to a high risk doctor, but if I could give you one piece of advice is to go if you aren’t already, because if there is some underlying issue making you bleed right now, they may be able to get to the bottom of it and do all they can to help you keep the baby safe and sound until term. Seriously, I credit my doctor, who is a high risk, infertility specialist for helping me have Lily stay safe after all my bleeding and spotting issues in my second trimester until 39 weeks. Without him, I fear this may have not been possible. Sorry, for the long comment, but just want so badly to see you have this baby perfectly healthy on or around your due date. Thinking of you and saying prayers now more then ever!
I am right here with you in the fight to keep this little one well and with you!
I have been thinking about you constantly Catherine – I’m so glad to read this post and know that you and the baby are okay. As always, praying for all three of you.
I’m so glad to see this. Thinking of you often and hoping you feel better soon and the bleeding goes away for good. I’m so happy you had a good experience in the ER.
So, so happy to see this. I was thinking about you a lot. I’m still praying for you, Dean and the baby! So glad you got to the hospital. And I hope you feel better!
Oh, THANK GOODNESS!!!! I’m so happy to hear that your little one is safe and doing well!! I’ll be praying that it stays that way!! –Lisa
I did a quick breath intake when I saw the title of your post. Despite all of the challenges, we continue to believe God for a safe pregnancy, Catherine.! So happy for the heartbeat… and the thumb sucking!!
That little thumb sucker has a lot of people loving him or her already! Hope you’re feeling better 🙂
Sending warm and wishful prayers…
I’m so glad to hear that you & the baby are okay. I can’t imagine how scary that must have been for you.
That baby is fighting for life! I’m so glad that the baby is okay. It’s got to be incredibly stressful especially after what you have been through. Just keep taking it easy and hope that nasty cold goes away. Just keep those positive thoughts going. Wishing you the best.
First, I am so glad you are doing ok. Second, I really truly wish you the best. I can’t imagine what you were going through at the ER but as a society we often take having a healthy baby for granted and dismiss the concerns mothers go through. I am sending positive thoughts your way!
Oh I wish I could hug you. I’m still praying! I’m just glad to hear you both are okay. Sending love.
Hang on in there, little one! Sending more prayers and hoping that this is it – the END of the scares and the heartache, and that everything goes smoothly from here.
Much love to you.
So very happy to read that you saw the precious heartbeat!!! I was praying all weekend for you!
I just let out a sigh of relief. I’m glad you went to the emergency room and that the experience was positive. Your little guy is a fighter which is a good sign, but needs our prayers more than ever. I will keep him in mine.
I’m so glad to hear that baby is beating and thumb sucking 🙂 I hope you’re feeling better too.
I was so nervous to read this. I can’t tell you how glad I am that things are ok, but I am keeping you in my prayers!!
Oh my, I was so nervous about this, but thank goodness!!!! I am doing a happy dance literally!!! I would youtube it & post it but you are not missing anything I promise!!! WooHoo!!!! 🙂 ~A~
Goodness when I read the title I was so scared! So happy to hear everything is going smoothly!!
Catherine, this post had me in tears! I’m so glad that everything is ok, but just having the thought is hard enough. Please know that you are in my prayers.
Oh, thank God. Catherine, I was totally clutching on to the side of my couch while reading this. I am so incredibly happy that everything is okay and that the doctors where you went were so on top of things. I know this is a really scary time for you, but having the best care and support around you is so important.
I’m keeping you and Dean and your little peanut in my thoughts and prayers. XOXO
This made my heart race! I totally feel your panic and relief. Praying that your pregnancy continues to get better. Love and hugs to you friend!
~ Ferly
Gifts We Use {to grow, love and serve}
You had me in a panic until I read that the doctor had found the heartbeat. What an awful time you’ve been having. Bleeding doesn’t always signify certain miscarriage. I bled during the first trimester of my twin pregnancy and the girls went nearly full term! Your family and the baby are in my prayers. My friend who is a pediatric home care nurse (read: she works with really sick children) says that God is the Great Physician. He makes miracles happen.