Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire

Just when I thought things were looking up -  reaching 34 weeks and starting to breathe easier about Baby - the doctor put my fear level back at its rightful place today, somewhere up near the ceiling.  Upstairs. 

34 weeks and counting

We’ve had a couple of dates we’ve been debating about for the planned C-section: July 26^th and July 30^th.  Since we were seeing someone new today (my regular doctor is on vacation), we decided to ask New Doctor her opinion.  Our intentions were to keep baby in as long as possible.  It seems like the logical thing to do.  Less critical, but also worth considering, is the fact that Chris takes the Bar Exam on July 24^th and 25^th. 

New Doctor got us to think otherwise, with very few words.  She said that as pregnancy continues, the risk for baby goes down and the risk for mama goes up.  She said the longer we wait, the more likely the chance that they would have to “take the uterus.”  Now there’s a phrase that will grab your attention.  In fact, it hasn’t left my attention since we left the clinic. 

According to New Doc, the longer my pregnancy goes, the more likely I’d head into the hospital during another bleeding episode, either from placental detachment, or the onset of labor, or some other reason (the odds are really not in my favor).  And if I go into the hospital again while I’m bleeding, chances are it would be bad, meaning significant blood loss.  If the bleeding doesn’t slow down in a reasonable amount of time, they could take my uterus at the same time they would take my baby. 

I didn’t realize it until this afternoon, but I’m pretty fond of my womb.  I sure would like to keep it.  You might be wondering if we are planning on having more kids.  The honest answer is possibly.  Maybe even probably.  We were going to see how we could handle two before making any final decisions.  I could easily see myself having a third, though.  I absolutely love babies and I love being a mom.  Having the choice taken away would be traumatic, to say the least. 

So now we’re planning on July 26^th for delivery and we’re hoping with all of our might that we make it that far without hemorrhaging.  17  more days. 

Into the Fire