Sunday, August 23

Baby Wicker Update

I've seen my OB twice since my last post. We discussed, at great lengths, about what my cervix should look like and what it actually does last Friday. He asked that Chris and I both come to talk to him as Chris doesn't usually get to go to my appointments. He drew a diagram, for me, in order to explain everything without question outlining the different procedures. He included the pros and cons for both. We have our choices between a very invasive abdominal cerclage which he'd prefer to cut me vertically down my stomach in order to get the best view. Basically this surgery would involve wrapping and tightening a band around the bottom of my uterus. The other procedure is a Shirodkar cerclage where they will wrap and tighten a band around the top of cervix, the closest part to the uterus. It will involve some internal cutting, but it will be very minimal. Obviously, the Shirodkar isn't as invasive and will involve very little recovery time compared to the abdominal one. We took a week to pray about our two option and asked God to give us the knowledge in order to make the best decision for our family. Friday, I went back for Dr. Gregg and his partner, Dr. Brown, to examine me again to make sure the Shirodkar was still and option. Both of them are maternal/fetal specialists, they and Dr. Smythe (who followed me most of the triplet pregnancy) are the only ones in town. So, after this appointment and much prayer we decided on the Shirodkar. It's the least invasive and involved. This pregnancy has come just by the grace of God, and we want to continue to rely on Him fully to get a healthy baby here. In the very beginning of the pregnancy, as I was having problems, our first instinct was to go on my normal hormone therapy that I've been on with all my other pregnancies. However, we felt God's peace and Him telling us to be silent. We trusted in Him, are now at 9 weeks and the baby is doing well. We also know that God gives us the knowledge and technology for medical intervention. We are full aware that no matter what God is in FULL control. My OB told us that this is going to be tricky with so much damage to my cervix, but he thinks he can get the results we went with the Shirodkar. If, in the event, it can't be done they will immediately switch over to the abdominal cerclage. So, I'll be having a 1st trimester screening ultrasound after Labor Day to check for any abnormalities. My doctor likes to do this before the cerclage to ensure that there is no chance that the baby may be very sick and miscarry on it's own as with a cerclage that can be complicated. The ultrasound is very similar to that at the 20 week mark where they'll measure the back of the neck, check the heart, and etc. Then, the surgery is scheduled for Sept. 17th. Chris will be off until the following Monday which is when my OB expects me to be able to resume normal activity. I've been through a cerclage before, so I know that I will have to remain awake due to not being able to undergo anesthesia during pregnancy. The anesthesiologist will give me a spinal, and I should be able to go home the same day. Please pray that we will get good results with the scan in a few weeks. Pray that God will keep the baby and myself safe during and after the surgery, that Bradley and Austin will do fine,the day of the surgery without us, and that God will give Chris peace and strength during the surgery and my recovery to run the house by himself. We're confident in God's plan and know that whatever that may be will be awesome. Our God is great and awesome. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" Ephesians 2:8

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