Daniel James Edward Mills
due April 4 2009
A journal for our baby due around 4th April 2009
recent updates first
January 2nd 2009 - 26w6d
This is a pic from my 19w2d scan showing the placenta previa as it was then. I saw my OB again at 20w5d and it was down to .5cm and at 24w5d it was no gap. Sorry if the pic is so big but any smaller and you lose the definition. Anyone wanting to give me advice can email me at judy3264@hotmail.com or post me a msg on any of the forums I am on [Angelicdragon] ( Bellybelly or The Den)
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December 30 2008 - 26w3d - this will be a marathon catch up post.
Dec 14 -
24 weeks and the indigestion has struck. I had to go buy some bigger satin
nighties to go over the bump.. would you believe I am into a size 18!! oh dear
oh dear oh dear
When I was pg with Samuel I put on a whole total of 4kg. I went from 60kg to
64kg.
OK this time I started off at 60kg and went down to about 57kg with m/s.. I just
weighed myself and a staggering 73kg!!!!! I think I will have my work cut out
for me losing it all after Daniel arrives.
I've been ending up with rather sore tummy muscles of an evening but then again
I have been making curtains, painting chests of drawers, sorting out all Samuels
clothes as most are size 3 and he is now a size 5. Not to mention the usual
housework. Samuel has been trying my patience and also not allowing me an
afternoon rest so by the time Robert gets home I am worn out.
I bought a new maternity bra the other day as the 14C bras I have are cutting in
so I got a 16C and size 16 undies. Well I had better head back to the shop on
Thursday (pay day) and get the next size up coz even the 16C is on it's last
hooks and barely fits. At least the size 16 undies are a good fit but my bum had
better not get any bigger lol.
Dec 18 - 25w5d -
and
add in a poop, bugger, dam, damn...... that about covers it
The placenta has indeed moved. Last visit it was approx 1 cm gap to the edge of
the cervix. This time it is right on the edge. My OB also pointed out the major
vessels that are also 'right there' which are what is the danger area. As it
stands right now I will have to have a c section. Next visit is in 4 wks when he
will do a lovely vaginal scan to measure the area exactly then I am on 2 wkly
visits thereafter. I have another wonderful vaginal scan at 35 wks as well.
Why don't I want a c section?
I love the just born moments when bub is skin to skin on your chest and nothing
to stop the instant bonding. After a while bub is taken for a quick clean up
while you push out the placenta but is then straight back with you no problems.
There is no hesitation in movements due to pain and stitches and you can get
straight into feeding and bonding and everything with no hassles.
C section, bub is removed from the uterus you get a quick peek over the curtain
then bub is taken away, cleaned up, wrapped up, hat on etc etc and yuo get
another quick peek after all that while meanwhile getting all put back together.
If you are lucky you get to have bub lay next to you in recovery .. so where is
the skin to skin instant birth bonding?? Even lifting the baby causes pain and
is hard to do ....
I have to face to that it is something totally beyond my control. Nothing I do
will change anything and I can only hope with every fibre and prayer that the
placenta will by a miracle move up enough.
So thats my beef for now. Too upset and angry at the way the universe is once
again having a cruel joke with me.
Dec 19 -
My problem is this. When Annabelle was born I had
12 hours of labour then an emergency c section. By the time I was allowed to
hold her she was dressed and cleaned and in a stupid woollen hat. She was dead
why on earth put a hat on to keep her head warm?? She was a cute little doll and
just did not seem like my baby. I could only hold her for a couple of minutes
before she was taken away again. The next day I was awake but still had trouble
holding her due to the pain I was in and once again I wasn't even allowed to
take her hat off to see her hair, colour etc... a little doll all dressed up.
With Samuel I had that wonderful exhilaration of holding him new born, looking
into his eyes from the first moment and being allowed to hold a squirming naked
bundle of baby and drink in every moment.
Those first few moments to me are THE most precious ever.
I don't want to miss all that and have my first moments with Daniel as being an
hour or so later and him dressed and cleaned up and those first squirming
moments gone forever.
I know thousands of women have a c section and don't mind it and don't miss the
natural labour but having been there and done both I know which I want.
I DO KNOW a C section would be in the safest interests and if it has to be well
I can't avoid it but I do ask...
why me?
Haven't I gone thru enough and had enough trials and missed out on a lot
already?
Why for this last time can't things have gone smoothly?
Geesh when I had the CVS they couldn't do it vaginally coz the placenta was so
high up and out of reach so why now has it moved down and continuing to do so.
I just hope and pray almightily it does move up.
Dec 29 -
I have been doing more research on posterior
placenta previa and there is only one conclusion I come to... Drs just can't
agree.
I found a few OB/GYN written papers that say if you have a posterior placenta
previa closer than 2cms to the os then face it, you'll have a c sec. However if
it is anterior placenta previa then your options are open right up to 36-38 wks.
Others say age is the factor not whether it is anterior or posterior with the
more maturer mum not having as much migration as younger women. Those with more
children and a previous c sec have even less chance of migration.
So you get to the forums with some women saying yes they had migration right up
to 36 wks and some saying they never past 28 wks.
But trying to find anyone with the same problem as me, high placenta then
growing downwards and closer to the os each scan... so I really do not know
anything anymore.
Dec 30 - 26w3d -
I am just back from my GTT test. I did my own
glucose test before I left and the reading was 5. That was after fasting for the
previous 12 hours. At the pathology their first reading came back as 5.5. They
also did a full blood draw and FBC and antibodies etc.. hopefully I don't have
to add anaemia to the list (low iron)
So I had the drink then waited the 2 hrs, they drew the 2nd blood draw and I
left. They didn't do a 2nd reading to tell me. I got home 20 minutes alter and
did my own glucose test and it came back as 9!!! So I have failed and no doubt
will get a call from my OB end of the week asking me to go in and he'll tell me
I once again have gestational diabetes. Bugger. Diet time
Samuel woke up during the night and had a high temp again so got more panadol.
This morning he was burning up again but refused to take his panadol. DH managed
to convince him to have his medicine just after 10am and now he seems his normal
self but still has his cough and the more excited he gets the worse his cough.
bugger now he has thrown a handful of tic tacs across the room. ggrrrrr
 21 weeks 6 days - before the Christmas Party |
 21 weeks 6 days - all dressed up for the Christmas party |
 Robert and me. |
 one week later at 22 weeks 6 days. |
 Christmas day, 25wks 5 dasy |
 Robert thought this would look cute. |
November 1 2008: 18 weeks today :)
Last weekend we went to a wedding so pics below are from 17 weeks exactly. This week has been marked by one last ditch effort at morning sickness resulting in strained stomach ligaments - ouch. I can now feel Daniel moving a bit stronger and lying in bed Robert and I can both see my stomach moving as Daniel changes position. Usual pregnancy 'complaints' of tiredness, constipation, haemorrhoids, stretching ligaments and breathlessness. Apart from that though this is a wonderful time :)
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October 16 2008 :
No pictures from today's scan but it
was sooo cute. Proud boy of all his bits, legs wide open with no modesty lol.
Spine all clear and brain clear, no spina bifida. CVS results totally all clear
and normal.
Little hand moving up to his head as if to say move that probe away lol. Tiny
feet kicking .... cute
I have the referral to phone up and make the hospital booking so I'll do that in
the morning (Booked in for Monday November 3 at 4pm). Also the referral for the 19/20 week
anatomical scan so I'll try and make that for the 10th November which is our
18th wedding anniversary. (It booked for Monday November 10 at 1pm)
Other than that the only concern Jamie (the OB) had was that I will crash and
burn out due to doing so much around the house for the 12 people living here. he
said we have to get tough on them and tell them to help out more and be more
considerate of MY needs as well as their own or they can move out.
We had aimed to go away for the weekend but Robert was so late home we never
ended up going anywhere.
So Jamie isn't at all worried about Daniels health but is worried about me.
On a brighter note the receptionist who knows me said how
well I was looking and for the first time ever someone in reality told me I was
glowing.
 15 weeks |
 15 weeks |
 Samuel and i |
 Samuel standing on a stoll lol |
October 3 2008: Just heard back from my OBs rooms and Daniel James is definitely a boy and has normal chromosones with no problems ( no Downs Syndrome). This is the 3 probe FISH result and the rest of the results will be through in 10 days thereabouts, just in time for our next appt with Jamie.
October 2 2008: Achy today, sort of crampy. Then again I did have to get up as there is no-one to watch Samuel. He had school this morning so I got a friend to drive me there and back and walking is still very tender. I finally designed this webpage this morning too to document how far we have got. I figured sitting here wasn't going to be too painful.
October 1 2008 and the CVS: I had to see my OB last Wednesday afternoon (Sept 24) as the Downs syndrome risk ratio came back as high at 1:89. Nuchal measurement was averaged out at 2.1mm which I didn't think was too bad. The rest of their measurements read as: free beta hCG = 1.38 MoM PAPP-A = 1.05 MoM NT = 2.1mm = 1.42 MoM NT GA = 12w5d. Risk of Downs Syndrome (risk 1:89 at Term) Risk of Trisomy 18: not at increased risk (risk 1:6300 at term)
Robert was away on a conference so I phoned him and then he phoned back during the appointment at the OB. We decided for my peace of mind to go with a CVS. I wanted an amnio but the OB insisted on CVS. If baby does have DS we will not abort but at least we will know and be able to be followed through the rest of the pregnancy with a paediatrician as well as the OB. So here is the post I wrote on my blog about the CVS. The OB who does the CVS is OB Peter who we saw on our very first appointment.
What can I say.. hmmm... ouch
Peter wasn't even sure he could do the procedure coz the placenta was
practically inaccessible, too far to the back and very high up. In the end he
managed to find a tiny little avenue he could get to. So he got the tray of
equipment ready and the midwife came in then to help and Robert left the room. I
don't blame him, the look of the cvs needle laying on the tray would have been
enough to scare off anyone!
So then the needles.... yes plural. 3 of them just to numb the area and then the
4th is the CVS canula. First to deaden the skin was a sting and sharp sensation.
2nd was to deaden below the skin and for some reason I could feel that as a dull
pain in the back of my left hip. 3rd was even deeper and this time I could feel
it in my groin... yet all were given just above my belly button about 2cm to the
left top. He did remark to Clare the midwife "13 wks, ever seen one this high
up?" to which she answered never.
Then I shut my eyes tight... caught a quick semi-second glance of the cvs needle
and that was enough for me!!!
I could feel the first 3 times he took a sample and would withdraw it each time
to deposit the sample in the special bottle with nutrient medium. It felt like a
pulling and discomfit dull ache and made me wince. The last 2 samples I didn't
feel.
OB did say although technically he was very happy with todays test he was not as
happy with the amount of sample as it was so hard to get to and he didn't get as
much as usual as so little room to work with so if it comes back as unworkable
then in 3 wks they want to do an amnio. That involves only 2 needles though and
much easier as he has all the front wall he can use and only has to take a bit
of fluid, not try and find a particular patch of tissue.
Cramping afterwards... big ouch. I was given 2 panadol and a script for
panadeine forte to fill on the way home. I was allowed to lay there for another
half hour then they were going to give us both a cup of coffee but had run out
of milk so I decided we'd just go home.
Walking was a bit hard coz my tummy was sore due to the fishing around he had to
do to get to the placenta... if you ever need a cvs you better wish for a nice
low anterior placenta!
By the time we were nearing home and the bumpy part of the road the local
anaesthetic was wearing off ... I came straight to bed, had my panadeine forte 2
hrs later and tried to sleep.
We get the first lot of results on Friday afternoon. We elected for the 3 probe
FISH rather than the 5 probe as we have had some genetic testing done last year
so only real worry about DS.. most of the other chromosone checks will pick
anything up anyhow and those results will be back when I have my regular OB appt
on the 16th
10 hours later: where the
local took effect is still white with a red margin all the way round it and
still slightly numb in one spot. Can clearly see that where the canula needle
went in was right on the very edge of where the local anaesthetic worked so I
guess that is why I felt so much.
Feels bit bruised deep inside but otherwise ok.
We did get two very short snippets of video from before the CVS and then 15 minutes after to make sure bub was still ok. I had already done some research after the 12w2d scan when the sonographer back then told us bub was a boy and research shows that at that early girls can still look very much like boys. Peter also agreed that at that early to put no faith at all in what she said .. the CVS will tell us anyhow for sure if it is Daniel James or hopefully instead Naomi Grace.. I just want a healthy baby.
| Click here for the before CVS Video |
| Click here for the after CVS Video |
September 22 2008:
Nuchal scan day. In brief the Sonographer said Daniel James Mills is a boy and
her date for us is March 30. Measuring spot on 13 weeks and yet supposed to be
12w2d but she was adamant all her measurements were 13 weeks and due date March
30.. so I don't mind
a bit less off the 40 weeks lol. Our OB however is sticking to a EDD of April 4.
 In this one
the bottom right 3D image bub is upside down lol. Top right is looking down
top of head and seeing hands |
 The bottom 3D
image is the best one and is my signature pic this month (October) |
 Some would
say this shows a boy but I tend to think it is part of a foot, looking down
on the ends of toes. |
 Traditional
sucking thumb type shot |
 Full body
showing CRL which for 12 weeks 2 days measured 12 weeks 6 days |
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September 18 2008:
My first OB appt with my usual OB. My appt.. well
the scans from last time are on the memory stick and I'll get Dh to put them
onto the computer when he gets home and then upload them although maybe only one
coz they all 4 look the same lol. Todays, well he only put 2 pics on there. No
movement video which is a shame coz she was very active. She was ahead by 3 days
last visit and by another 2 days this time so at 11w5d she measures 12 wks! 6cm
head to rump and head is 1.67cm across. I go for my nuchal blood test first
thing tomorrow morning then have to ph and book the nuchal scan for next week.
We got the big lecture on why do we want to do the nuchal scan etc and why do it
if we wouldn't terminate .. he did say he has had a couple of ladies in the past
year who had CVS after a high risk result and a couple of them did miscarry, one
at 20 weeks after a few weeks of bleeding and yet her baby was normal with no DS
in the end. So we said we'd do the same as with Annabelle... blood test and scan
and leave it at that. In the end he seemed fine with that.
Other than that he was really pleased with the way she is growing and the way I
am.. he asked if I was taking my prenatal vitamins and I told him I did try the
other day but it set me back to being sick so he has said not to take them til
after 16 weeks. I see him again in 4 weeks.
I can feel movement now even just sitting here, little tickles lol. kewl.
 Crown rump measures exactly 12 weeks |
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 11 weeks 3
days (September 16) |
September 13 2008:
11 weeks and we still have clear strong heartbeat and a bump that stays and
doesn't go down after I rest lol. I love it when the bump looks like a pg bump
and not just a middleage spread bulge lol
m/s has been wel lbehaved and today is day 3, I just hope it holds away til
after Samuels part is over with.
Lay on my tummy last night and could feel a protest within lol... a 'don't
squash me' sort of process... but she found a space and was ok the rest of the
night.
 First belly
shot at 9weeks (August 30) |
August 29 2008:
Robert took the memory stick in yesterday and
will pick it up next week
I was hoping they could do it on the spot coz it takes less than a minute to
copy over but... oh well..
I wasn't really taking too much attention the other day but I di dsee bub moving
so I was hanging out to see it all in detail.
Heartbeat is getting easier to find with the doppler so I do a quick check each
night. Just long enough to hear it is nice and strong.
I think the B6 works better than the zantac. I am on 100mg once a day of B6. If
it works so well I was wodnering about dosage and if I could take another before
tea or even a 50mg to ease me over the evening meal.
I'll have to do a google.
I am cutting back the vitex too. I was on 2 tabules of 660mg a morning. Then I
cut down to 1 1/2 and this week I am on just one tabule.. shaped like a capsule
but is a dry tablet.
Tomorrow I cut down to 1/2 a tabule
then stay on that for a week or 10 days then stop altogether and just keep up
with the 5mg folic acid.
I'll start again on the prenatal and the calcium 600mg with Vit D once the m/s
stops.
The iron in the prenate makes the m/s worse.
| Click here for 8 week scan video |
August 27th OB visit.
First of all he is very nice, not my usual OB Jamie coz he is on leave but Peter
was lovely.
Did a quck scan, bub is now looking like a baby and moving, heart rate of 178.
He described it as a very strong, sound and healthy pregnancy. He was really
pleased with the size, heart beat and the placenta and cord meausrements.. The
fibroid is off away from the bub so no worries there. No bleeds or anything.
the drama
me
he was very concerned with my m/s, my colour, dehydration , dizzyness and wanted
to put me in hospital.
I asked about othe drugs we could try so I am now on Zantac and B6 so Robert had
to go and get the script filled then I had to take one of each and lay down
until the midwife was sure they were staying down. They even called a on-call
nurse down from Recovery to keep an eye on me.
So for now I am allowed home, I HAVE to rest, lay down as much as possible and
if I am getting worse I have to call them at any hour and I'l be admitted for
I.V. fluid and prednisolone.
I did feel better for about nearly 2 hrs after the 2 tablets but now am wearing
down mighty fast.
The Zantac is twice a day and B6 only once a day.
So I am off to bed.
I go back on the 19th Sept if not before. See how we go.
I still think 99% girl.
August 24 2008: We have a doppler at home so out of curiosity we tried it out. the rate is between 162 - 171.. to my mind a girly heartbeat.. what a beautiful sound. Makes the m/s all worth it to hear it. The doppler is well worth the investment.
August 14 2008: We had our first scan today. First he tried to say all we had was a sac and yolk measuring 6w3d but no baby. Told us to come back in 3 weeks!! I told him last time they could only see that they switched to internal and you could see the baby so eventually he did the internal scan and lo and behold we have a baby measuring 6w5d and a heartbeat of 125.
 the full
report read |
August 2008:
Here we go again. A new pregnancy and new hope that
this time we will end up with a baby and not another miscarriage. After 8 losses
between 5 weeks and 11weeks 4 days you could say I am sort of losing hope of
having a baby stay put until near due date.
I got a BFP on July 23 08. For those who
understand the lingo the betas are
August 2008
18dpo - 1121
22dpo - 5809
24dpo - 11,635
* For HCG levels <1200 mIU/ml, the expected doubling time is
48-72 hours.
* For HCG levels 1200 to 6000 mIU/ml, the expected doubling time is 72-96 hours.
* For HCG levels >6000 mIU/ml, the expected doubling time is >96 hours.
* At 18 DPO, the average HCG level is 292 mIU/ml, with a typical range of 70-758
mIU/ml. 1121
* At 22 DPO, the average HCG level is 1287 mIU/ml, with a typical range of
185-3279 mIU/ml. 5809
* At 24 DPO, the average HCG level is 2637 mIU/ml, with a typical range of
540-10,000 mIU/ml. 11635
so my doubling time is still between 47-48 hrs
instead of the expected 96 hrs...
Pic time of the pregnancy tests.
 FRER
FRER stands for First Response Early Response
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Ó Judy Mills 2008
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