Why pregnancy and I don't get along: a lesson in asking for help.

I have been waiting to post anything because we have had a little bit of waiting going on around here to see just how things would pan out.  Before I jump right in to a detailed updated, I should warn that I will talk openly about my cervix.  I am guessing probably the only time in my life I will feel the need to share so  much about my woman parts.

Anyway, I am currently 22 weeks pregnant; I will be 23 weeks this weekend.  At my 20 week anatomy ultrasound, the technician noticed that my cervix did not look exactly right.  She thought it looked shorter than where it should be at this point.  If you don't know, your cervix (if your a woman) is the tunnel basically that essentially separates the outside world and the baby.  If you want a more detailed explanation and diagram check out this site.  When you go into labor, your cervix both thins and shortens (called ephasing) and opens up (dilates).  At this point in the process, your cervix should be hard, closed and LONG.  Mine looks great except it's short.  On average women should be around a 3-4cm (up to 5 even) at 20 weeks and I was at a 2.8.  Not terrible but still on the lower end.  The plan of action was wait two weeks, reduce my physical activity and go back in for another ultrasound to remeasure the length.  Ideally, it would just stay the same or get longer.

I am not sure if it was my reduced activity or the changes that were occurring in my body but during the last two weeks I felt like I gained months onto my pregnancy.  I have been increasingly uncomfortable, lower back pain, and lots of pressure, plus some days I had a fair amount of braxton hicks contractions. I knew this was all a bad sign but was just anxious for the follow up appointment to know what was happening.  The day before my appointment,  I had a bit of a breakdown. I knew that things would be changing, that I would most likely be on bedrest, that I couldn't be the mom to Ariy that I want to be right now, that I would need to depend on others, and that this little baby girl could be in danger.  Fear kind of took over and the poor receptionist at my doctors office got the brunt of it when I called sobbing.  The next day (wednesday) I went in for my follow up ultrasound.

I was in a much better place by the time I went into my appointment yesterday.  I knew what to expect so I wasn't shocked when they said my cervix is down to a 2.0.  I was seen at the perinatal office and I was able to meet with a great high-risk pregnancy doctor immediately following the ultrasound.  Basically, there is a correlation between a shortening cervix and preterm labor.  Where I am at is actually good and even though I am not as far along as I would like to be, it does give us time to treat things and hope that my cervix stays put but even so, we probably have time.  Some women who experience this, nothing will happen - they will go full term and even late.  I also have no history of preterm labor so that also puts me in a bit of a better spot.  Even so, it's really hard to know so they play it real safe which I feel great about.

I will be on bedrest most likely from here on out.  I have also started taking progesterone which is suppose to help with the whole keeping the baby inside thing.  I will have weekly ultrasounds to monitor the baby and my cervix.  The first BIG milestone is making it to 28 weeks which I am very confident in.  Once you reach 28 weeks, if you were to go into preterm labor the likelihood for the baby's survival and a healthy survival goes up to close to 90%.  The next six weeks are important though and I think this is where I ask for help.   I do want to add, outside of the fact that my silly cervix just won't cooperate, myself and the baby are very healthy.

Rick is blessed with two jobs that are fairly flexible and will allow him to do some work from home.  This will help A TON.  We also are not only living with family currently but are living closer to Vancouver which is where Rick's parents live and Super G - Grandma has stepped up to the plate to help us out despite the fact that she already has soooo much on her plate.  We are thankful.  This baby girl is already loved deeply.

Are you uncomfortable with how many times I said cervix??  Anyway...

This is when I unabashedly ask for help.
We still could use help - so I throw this out the the blogging wind of friends and family.  If you have a deep desire to take a pretty cool 17 month old out on a date, let us know!  Play dates (in Portland) would be great too.  It helps give Rick a break when he's home and gives Ariy something to do since he probably won't be getting out as much for trips to the park, zoo, etc.  Want to bring Ariy to church with you?  That works too.  Sunday's will be interesting days around here.  I also would love to see people so if you want to do dinner at my place, great! It is very hard for me to do this as I use to be a fiercely independent women but I am quickly learning that what matters more than anything right now is this little girl and to care for her the way I want to means I need to ask for help.  Thanks for reading and praying for our little girl.  It means a whole LOT to us.