Yesterday afternoon I had a regular scheduled appointment for my weekly OB check-up. At the time the appointment was scheduled, I tried to change the date, knowing all too well just how hard it is for me to go to the doctors on the 24th-25th of November, but it had been the only available time.
The beginning of the appointment went well. I spoke with my midwife about this cold I’ve been trying to get over, and she prescribed me some medicine to help reduce congestion. I got the Group-B Strep Test behind me (still waiting on the results). I measured the same as I did 2 weeks ago due to the baby having “dropped” some more and, by the looks of things, I won’t be making it until Christmas. Apparently all these contractions I’ve been having are making changes! (Thankfully a week from Friday I will be considered “full term!”)
However, when my midwife went to listen to the baby’s heart it didn’t sound quite right. We had noticed a little irregularity about a month ago, which quickly corrected itself at the time, but this time it was very obvious. She called it an arrhythmia (which means irregular heartbeat) and wanted me to go to (my least favorite) hospital to be monitored for awhile. I couldn’t believe I was headed back there… what timing!
When I first arrived the nurse couldn’t hear what my midwife had heard, but the baby had been sleeping and as soon as she woke up it was once again very noticeable. After a few hours they decided to order an ultrasound and were pleased with what they saw.
They said most of the time these things correct themselves as soon as the baby is born, or soon after. Nevertheless, what an emotional night it was! Please continue to remember us in your prayers. I am more anxious than ever to have her safely delivered and to hold her in my arms!
We will pray for you Jessica. I went through a similar situation with my son and was a wreck for the next few weeks. Happy Thanksgiving – 🙂
Praying, praying, praying…
I'm exactly one week further along than you and I will continue to pray hard for both us to be holding a sweetly squirming girl this Christmas.
O great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of Mother of God, enkindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love.
O glorious Saint Gerard, because when falsely accused of crime, you did bear, like your Divine Master, without murmur or complaint, the calumnies of wicked men, you have been raised up by God as the patron and protector of expectant mothers. Preserve me from danger and from the excessive pains accompanying childbirth, and shield the child which I now carry, that it may see the light of day and receive the purifying and life-giving waters of baptism through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Praying for you!!!
Oh, Jessica! I'll certainly continue to keep you and your baby in my prayers. My computer is giving me problems lately — keeps shutting down unexpectedly, which is not so good for catching up on my favorite blogs or for posting! I commented quickly on your Thanksgiving post before reading this one, and now I'm afraid that may have come off as a little flip in light of concerns like these. Anyway, you amaze me with your faith, talent and generosity, and I'm so glad to know you, even if only online! God continue to bless you and your baby, remove your fears, and allow you to be able to relax and truly enjoy these last days of waiting until you and your baby can at last meet face to face!
Warmly,
Eileen
Jessica,
I ill be praying, you know! Lily was born with an irregular heartbeat but it was perfectly fine and corrected itself. (((((HUGS)))) Happy Thanksgiving!
I will continue to pray for you and your family. May Christ's peace cover you and may Our Blessed Mother comfort you.
Thinking of you and praying too! Happy Thanksgiving!
Definitely praying for you Jessica!
Oh Jessica, you and baby are in my prayers. I am sorry that you had to return to that hospital. My oldest son had an extra beat or missing beat; it corrected itself a few months after he was born. I was told to have him sleep on my chest to help regulate his breathing and his heartbeat. I can't wait to see photos of your little girl in your arms (and to hear her name).
Prayers for you and the baby!!
Oh Jessica I am so very sorry!!! I hate hospitals too! I have been there with pre-term labor with all 5 of mine too. Please, please don't worry about your precious one, just hand everything over to Our Sweet Lord and it will all be alright! I know it's easier than it sounds but you seem very strong in your faith and I know you are giving it all to Him already. We will be praying for you and thinking of you as well! God bless you sweetie! *Hugs* from Japan.
Cheryl
Will say special prayers to St. Therese for you and Rose, Jessica. Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm holding you in my prayers. I'm glad everything turned out well. Though it wasn't nice for them to send you to that same place given the history. You'll soon be holding your beautiful baby in your arms!
Thank you all!! I so appreciate the prayers!! And the reassurance some of you have given me with your own experiences!
Kelly ~ In my midwife's defense, she didn't have an option… It is the only hospital within many hours that has an Neonatal ICU. My midwife does understand… She too lost her only child who was born due to complications prematurely, and she is now in her late 40's. So with that in mind, I know how much I have been blessed with all these beautiful children that I have carried to term. Last November, when I went there for my miscarriage with Gabriel, there was quite a bit of healing that took place. I just wasn't expecting to have to go back anytime soon.
It does look like I am going to need to deliver at this hospital (instead of at the Catholic Hospital) due to the possibility of the baby needing to be monitored. I am now feeling a little bit better about that — especially knowing that the old head of the ICU was asked to resign quite a few years ago after other situations like my own…
Anyhow, I don't mean to complain too much! I just should have never posted last week about making it to 35 weeks without any complications! lol!!
{{deep breath…. sigh…}}
Still, please do keep my and the baby in your prayers. I am trying my best to put it all in our Lord's hands, but I still can't help but be nervous.
Oh Jessica. I will pray for you and your new baby. So sorry you have to go through this scare.
Jessica, you have been and will continue to be in my prayers. Sorry you had to go through that, but at least you're reassured now. i know how anxious you are to have her in your arms!
Oh, Jessica, you and little Rose are and have been in my prayers. ((hugs)) I know what you mean about trusting in our Lord and still being anxious. I've been having the same emotions. All I want is for the baby to be ok. And I *know* that is what God wants as well. But, as my human weakness shows, I have a hard time *trusting*.
I will be offering up my bed rest for you along with continued rosaries.
May God grant you His peace and blessing!
Hi Jessica,
I don't know you personally but have enjoyed your blog, having linked over originally from Elizabeth Foss's blog. I wanted to tell you with my last pregnancy the doctor noticed an arrhythmia with the baby's heartbeat too, towards the end of my pregnancy. He said the same thing. I remember the feeling though and I remember how very worried I was. Thankfully, it did correct itself. Our family will keep you in our prayers.
That's scary–I went through the same thing with Isaiah–but I'm glad to hear that you and little Rose are doing well. It makes a mom grateful for all of the wonderful technology available to us.
Can't wait to "meet" the baby. If you go early, wouldn't it be neat to have her as a Christmas gift?
If she's a good girl and arrives by the 31st, there's your extra tax deduction! 😉
God bless!
Jessica,
Although I don't know you in real life, I feel we could be friends. You and your precious little girl are always in my prayers.
Dear Jessica,
Praying for you and your little Christmas Rose.
I hope you are relaxing and enjoying these last weeks with your family before your 'new life' with your precious gift arrives.
Blessings