Yay! We made it past the 28 week point and into the third trimester! We took a tour of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit last week and several of the babies in there weren't that far along, so we feel fortunate for every day this baby stays put.
Amaraa has been uncomfortable ever since she had her blood transfusion. Her face, hands, and feet have been puffy and she has had some chest pain and body aches. Her nurses said that it is pretty common to have some discomfort for the first day or two after the transfusion, but they said that ultimately, the new blood should make her feel better. With the discomfort, she has had a hard time sleeping, so the lack of sleep doesn't help either.
During our ultrasound on Monday, they printed two pictures for us. One is a hand and the other is a foot. I'm posting them here. It's fun to see the little dude's little fingers and toes.
Amaraa has been dismayed at the fact that she gained 9 pounds in one week. She's worried that if she stays here for eight weeks, they might have to knock a hole in the wall and lift her out with a crane. Her nurses think she's funny to worry about the weight because most of that was the IV fluids they have been pumping into her. They didn't weigh her after the blood transfusion, but I'll bet she has gained a couple more pounds from that. The blood they gave her had all the plasma spun out of it, so it was all bulk!
Amaraa's poor arms are all bruised and battered from all the needles they have been sticking into her. Every time she has an episode of bleeding, they stick the IV in again for a couple of days and they take blood from her to do blood work every morning. She looks like she has been through a battle. She jokes that the only reason her blood count was low enough to need a blood transfusion was that they are taking all of her blood for tests! Ha! Ha!
Amaraa says the only enjoyment she has in the hospital is the shower. She also enjoys a few steps when she goes to the bathroom. Since the doctor only allows her out of the bed for those two reasons, she feels like a free woman every time she has an excuse to get up.
Thanks for the prayers, and for the comments and emails so far on the blog. Keep 'em coming!
Oh my goodness Ben and Amaraa!!! I was just thinking about you today Amaraa, thank you for the blog and updating us with what's going on Ben!
ReplyDeleteIt is horrible to be in bed that long let along in the hospital. Hang in there dear, all of you! " For after much tribulation come the blessings"
Will be praying for you and the baby!! I'll call you more often now. Love you, Chimka and Hansens :-)
That is great that the baby is staying put. We're keeping you guys in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteBen and Amraa,
ReplyDeletewhat a trial. You will get trough it, i am glad that the pregnancy is now in the 3rd trimester. You guys are in our prayers, hang in there!
Maya