Well, I got a nice look at this peanut's legs, feet, arms, hands, spine, brain, stomach, kidneys, heart, and penis. Yes, folks, if everything goes according to plan, it looks like there will be a Boy at Chez Gwinne come November.
Still processing that one.
Otherwise, my OB is pretty happy. Blood pressure's good, weight is good, cervix is good. The Boy's a bit small--measures just under 19 weeks--but nothing to worry about yet. Even my fluid level looked okay. The only new glitch--I mean did you really think I could escape another complication?--is that the placenta is currently growing over my c-section scar. Which apparently puts me at increased risk (gosh, I fucking hate that term) for placenta acreta (sp?) which, in practical terms, means repeat c-section followed by hysterectomy.
Normal app't at 24 weeks, then a growth ultrasound/placenta/fluid check at 28. And then the fun really begins.
Hey, I'm first today! So glad to hear that all's looking (relatively) well.
ReplyDeleteI know nothing about your thoughts/feelings on the girl vs. boy baby. (For some reason, I really thought your scan today would show a girl.) I don't know that I admitted to anyone that I really would have preferred one or both of my boys to be girls--but that is how I felt, despite the overwhelming joy that I was going to have a child of ANY sex, after years of infertility and other difficulties along the path to parenthood.
Now that it's almost seven years down the road from my first son's birth, I will say that I almost never think of the fact I'll never have a daughter. When I DO think about it, it's in an oddly detached way, much the same way I think of other life possibilities that I likely won't experience.
All this navel-gazing is by way of saying that boys are actually quite great. One of my friends who had a son and a daughter before I had children told me that you don't know what it's like to be loved until you have a little boy. I think she's right. There's something almost fierce about it.
And now you get to spend your time thinking about the pros and cons of circumcision!
Congratulations!!! What great news that your little boy looks healthy and is all there! that is such a relief. But I am really sorry about the placement of the placenta. Just figures there would be something else to worry about. Hopefully it doesn't increase the risk of an early delivery too.
ReplyDeleteAh, a boy. What will you call him here in blog land?! LMG for little male gwinne? I always thought those little teepees for diaper changes are so cute... and you can get a target for your toilet when he learns how to take aim!
One more thing -- have you read any books by Anne Lamott? she's a SMC who had a little boy she named Sam. I think Blue Shoes might be the one that I read first... highly recommended.
ReplyDeleteThanks, InB! Yeah, I've read Operating Instructions and Bird by Bird. And I just saw that she has a new book coming out in 2012 about Sam's first kid!!!
ReplyDeleteHeidi, I have to say I'm really torn. I mean, I teach gender studies, so I sort of figured it was inevitable that I have a son to learn some cosmic lesson about gender. And this pregnancy has been NOTHING like my pregnancy with LG, so even Dr. G predicted boyness. But still, you'd think ONE thing would go like I really "wanted".... As A. said, the universe really has it out for me :)
But I'm pregnant. And he's healthy, despite every obstacle standing in his way from the get-go. And, yeah, given the hell that went into getting here, could I really ask for more?
I always assumed I'd have a girl--not a real preference based on anything (though I was a women's studies major in school), I just assumed and was maybe even a little scared about the idea of raising a boy.
ReplyDeleteThat said--Team Boy absolutely rocks. Granted I'm not yet to an age where it matters for anything other than diaper-changing logistics, but boys are fun. Lots of energy, but SO MUCH FUN.
Boys are awesome!!!!! Yay for a little man. I was selfishly hoping for that result. :)
ReplyDeleteYay! Go Team Blue. I'm having a boy too.
ReplyDeleteAh. A boy. I've got 3. Wanted a girl every time. But man, I love my boys. They are awesome. And my older "socialized" ones are little feminists. I love it! My oldest gives me foot rubs every night.
ReplyDeleteAnd you know, I think, that I had to have a hysterectomy after my last was born. Not from accreta but a hemorrhage emergency. The placenta can move, though, so maybe yours will boogie on out of the way.
Name ideas yet?
I think it can be confusing for a little while when a SMC finds out she's going to have a son. Especially when there's already a daughter. I mean, you 'know' what to do with girls (until they're teenagers and become alien life forms).
ReplyDeleteI have three boys and love it! With my last baby (just 2 weeks old) hub and two older sons were disappointed when we found out it would not be a girl; I was quite happy to have another boy! I agree with Heidi, there is something fierce about how boys love their mom. You'll adore him too, don't worry!
ReplyDelete(As for circumcision -- I am militantly against it...)
A boy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great relief the appt went nearly perfect. It sounds like c town again, but I dont like the hysterectomy. Crap. I have never heard of this kind of risk.
You know they gotta put that "risk" out there. Dont let it spook you.
Congrats!!
Roccie, placenta accreta is very rare. But here's the chart my OB gave me about risk (per 100,000 pregnancies). On first pregnancies, it happens only 3 times; with 1 prior c-section, it's up to 300; 2 prior sections, 600; 3 prior, 2400. Placenta previa has a similar--but higher--risk breakdown.
ReplyDeleteSo it's not like accreta is a given, but IF it happens, it sounds like hysterectomy is the only way to deal with it.
Because it's always has to be a good news bad news thing... Congrats on making it this far! Here's hoping it's a boring more 20 weeks and no acreta
ReplyDelete