20 Weeks

 

Yes, we are shivering in this picture!  It has been cold in North Texas this week!

 

Last Tuesday, Dave and I went to the doctor for an ultrasound.  We thought we’d have another ultrasound this week when I was 20 weeks, but instead the sonographer did baby’s full anatomy scan last Tuesday.  Again, it was so fun to see baby in action on the screen!  Our favorite part was when baby put his hand behind his head, as if he were relaxing.  Through this pregnancy, we’ve been in awe of how God creates each little part of our bodies.  I know I've read all the facts of a baby's development in books, but to know that it is occurring in my body is incredible.  I’ve looked at Isaac and Emma’s little bodies in a new light (ok, Isaac is 59 pounds, so not quite little) and thanked God over and over for creating them perfectly in their birth mother’s wombs.  Dave and I didn’t move as we watched each of baby’s four heart chambers beating.  We were also amazed to see oxygenated and deyxegenated blood flowing to/from the umbilical cord.  The sonographer showed us every organ, measured bones, and said baby weighed 9 ounces.  We had warned the sonographer repeatedly that we didn’t want to know baby’s gender, and I laughed when she asked us to turn away for a moment while she looked in that region—we both whipped our heads to the side so quickly.  We are really, really excited about this surprise!   

After the ultrasound, we had an appointment with Dr. Bradford.  She was so pleased with the results of the sonogram and said, “Our baby is looking perfect today!”  My bleed is now measuring 8cm x 4cm and is sitting right on top of my cervix.  Since there’s still no way to know the cause of my bleeding, I will remain on bedrest until I deliver our baby.  I am able to be up 1 to 2 hours a day. I usually use this time to eat meals with my family, though Isaac often tells me, “Mommy!  Go lay down!  You’re not supposed to be up!”  As Dave was getting dinner on the table a few nights ago, Emma pulled my chair out from the table and said, “I help you.  You sit down.”  I thought it was so sweet that she didn’t even think I should pull my own chair away from the table to be seated.

Baby will receive steroid shots at 24 weeks (second week of December) to help his lungs develop in case of early delivery.  We have no reason to believe that I’ll deliver early; but, since I had a perfect first twelve weeks of pregnancy before my bleeding began, my doctor is being cautious in case something unexpected happens again.

I started feeling baby move a lot more in the past week!  And, it’s wonderful.  Just the other day I was laying in the recliner and felt baby moving.  I started crying and crying--no, I didn't expect to be on bedrest for this pregnancy, but I am so, so thankful that our baby is growing exactly on track.  Will you please pray with us for continued healthy growth for our baby and that baby will not be affected by the pocket of blood?  Your prayers are a gift to us!