"Two of a Kind, Workin on a Full House"

Well the cat's officially out of the bag... Petersen Baby #3 is on its way!  We always told ourselves after losing Brynlee that we would never do a public announcement with our next baby, for fear that we again might have the break more bad news to the whole facebook population, but I just couldn't bring myself to tell anyone face to face either.  I tried...I really did, but I struggled with it A LOT!  So from the moment we first found out until now at 15 1/2 weeks, I confided in just a handful of people.  Honestly, I would have loved to wait until the whole pregnancy was over with to tell anyone but close friends and family, but it was starting to get socially awkward, for myself as I tried to conceal my growing belly, and for others who I could tell were realizing, but wouldn't be caught dead posing the question or making any remark about my belly.  So, before it wasn't even a surprise to people anymore, we just put it out there.  In a way, I'm glad we were able to tell people in a way I don't have to face people for their initial reaction, but in another way, it makes my stomach turn that we may be walking ourselves right into another situation where we don't bring home a baby again.  I know... because Brynlee died of a cord accident, the statistics say it would be REALLY rare to happen again, but in my eyes it was rare that it happened in the first place.  Odds don't mean anything to a person that has already been in the minority.  Plus, I've heard from other researchers, that's there's evidence that exists that mothers who have had a cord issue are at a 10x greater risk of it happening again...and that scares the living daylights out of me.

So...to ease my mind this time around, I need to know that I am doing EVERYTHING (I mean EVERYTHING) I can to keep this baby healthy.  I understand bad things can still happen, but this time I will know 100% that I did everything I could.

Hence our new doc - we met with her and worked out a "plan" we both felt comfortable with.  First of all, she too suggested taking the Lovenox injections since my bloodwork came back a little high.  Plus one baby aspirin a day to also thin the blood.  Then the rest of my "plan" looks like this:
6.5 weeks - ultrasound to confirm "viability"
11 weeks - another ultrasound to ensure a healthy growing baby
19 weeks - Level 2 ultrasound with maternal fetal medicine to get an even more in-depth anatomy scan
28 weeks - Fly down to Louisianna to meet with Dr. Collins (THE one and only guy that studies umbilical cord complications) to perform his ultrasound, looking at the umbilical cord ONLY.  He'll then discuss what he sees and send us home with a hospital grade non-stress test monitor.  So, from 28 weeks until we deliver, I'll hook up, monitor for 20 minutes every night and upload the strip to a portal that he views every day.  He'll then look for patterns and areas of concern.  If he sees anything, he'll call immediately and have you go in to be monitored more closely at your hospital's labor and delivery unit. It's amazing what he can do and recognize by these non-stress tests alone.  The fact that he has never lost a baby on his watch is extremely reassuring for me.  Unfortunately, not all doctors, even those that see their patients routinely, can say this.  In addition, my doctor has also agreed to log on and view the strips periodically as well.

Also from 28 weeks until delivery, will be twice a week appointments at the clinic - one time for a 30 minute non-stress test, and the other time for a bio-physical profile.  So...that means every few days for around 10 weeks, we'll get to check up this baby to make sure there's no signs of stress.  Again, so reassuring!

Then, doc says we're not waiting for delivery.... if I'm "full term" (around 38 weeks) and we've ensured baby is just as well "out" than "in", we'll just induce labor at that point.  Which for me.....is wonderful news!  By that point I know I'm going to just be a ball of nerves and nothing will make me feel better, except having our living, breathing baby in my arms.

So....although we're excited, it's muted a bit this time around.  So many duck to get in a row and so many emotions to keep in check.  I keep wondering if I'll feel more relaxed when I feel regular movement?  Or maybe after a "Looks Good!" at our 20 week ultrasound?  Or maybe it won't happen until this baby is born...  However I look at it, I just keep telling myself to cherish every moment I have with this baby.  We honestly can't predict the outcome (although we hope it's good), so the only thing I can do it try my best to be the best darn mother and advocate for this baby that I can, each and every day we have together.