3rd Sunday in the Hospital

Wow. This is our 3rd Sunday in the hospital. Only 2 more days till we get to 21 weeks. Things have been pretty stable. The only problem I have is it seems like I get lightheaded and short of breath in the morning. Yesterday, morning I almost blacked out after going ot the bathroom but luckily Jong was with me and got me back to bed just in time. We saw Dr. Sakamoto today and he said sometimes a pregnant woman's blood pressure could be low and since I lie down most of the time, when I get back, all the blood may rush from my head to my womb so I just need to get up more slowly.

Anyway, we had our weekly detailed ultrasound appt with Dr. S this morning. Isaac is still doing well measuring a week ahead. His estimated weight was 508 grams so he is officially over 1 lb! Dr. S noticed that there may be some water retaining beneath his skin though so please pray for that. The blood flow to his heart and his brains were both normal.

Rachel still has no fluid around her and we didn't see her move at all during the session. We couldn't measure her weight because she is all curled up and crunched up but her head is measuing 19w5d so she is about a week behind. The good news is the blood flow to her brains was measuring normal. Today was the first time Dr. S mentioned what would happen if both of them make it to 30 weeks or so (still in the context of a miracle). He mentioned that Rachel will probably have deformities because of the position she is in and she has no room to move. Since Jong and I have done quite a bit of reading on the internet on PPROM (Preterm Premature Rupture of Membrane) babies, this was not a surprise to us. I just thought it was great that Dr. S actually talked about the possibility of Rachel being born alive and staying alive and we will keep praying for lots of miracles for our brave little girl.

Every morning, I pray for the Holy Spirit not just to fill me but to fill my womb and Rachel and Isaac and especially for the Holy Spirit to surround Rachel and provide her with the space to move and the water to breathe in. Although we can't see it happening on ultrasound, I know the Holy Spirit is talking to our babies and telling them how much Jesus and her parents (and lots of other people) love them. Actually, a couple of days ago, I don't know how Rachel did it but I am pretty sure I felt her kick or punch. It was pretty low and right next to where the nurse usually finds her heatbeat with the doppler so I don't think it could be Isaac. I was very encouraged that I could feel her. I pray that I can continue to feel her more and more.

Another development is that my blood and baterial test results came back and I am all clear -no bacteria present. So they are going to take me off of the antibiotic IV drip and switch me to oral antibiotics tomorrow (Monday). Oral anitbiotics are going to be a lot less potent so my risk of infection will be higher, however, if I stay on the antibiotic IV drip, than I will start developing resistance to the antibiotics and if an infection does hit, it would be much more dangerous. So please pray that I will not get any infection after switching to oral antibiotics. The good news is I won't have an IV drip anymore so I will have more arms back (though my typing skills will still not be 100% as I still have to type lying flat on one side)!!!

Tuesday will be 21 weeks for our babies. It turns out that the official viability demarcation line is 22 weeks in Japan (I think its 24 weeks in the U.S.?). Anyway, it might be a small distinction for some but since I consider them my babies since a long time ago and not just fetuses, I think I will be very happy if I reach 22 weeks without incident so that they can be officially "viable" babies from our doctor's perspective. I am still aiming for 32 weeks for Rachel's sake.

Its been a real blessing to have my parents here. Jong and my parents have been taking such good care of me. Sometimes I feel sad that they have to do so much for me (and probably frustrated too as I feel so helpless) but these are really precious times I am getting with my babies, Jong and my parents and I am really thankful to God for that.

One day at a time. I have to keep reminding myself not to get ahead of myself and start planning the rest of my life. I gotta trust God and take everything one day at a time. Thank you Lord for giving us another precious, precious day.

Sonia