21 Weeks for Baby Girl!

21 Weeks today. Tomorrow makes a week since I ruptured. Since then I was able to connect with a few other women who have also gone through Preterm Premature Rupture of Membrane (also known as pPROM) and had positive outcomes! I have even hear stories of making it FULL TERM! Wow! 

I was set up with 2 women that have happy healthy babies! Both believers and both made it through speaking truth and positivity over their babies! 

I am staying positive, although there are moments of weakness. The moment it happens, I begin speaking life over Baby girl. 

Health wise I have been monitoring my temperature often (to make sure there are no signs of infection) and drinking a gallon + of water, mostly electrolyte infused water. I have been eating bananas, and have actually found that a banana for the middle of the night hunger helps me tremendously! 

I have had my moments. I haven't Christmas shopped at all for anyone and will more than likely be in the hospital for Christmas. Our home is not unpacked or decorated (although my mom did out up our Christmas tree!). The one thing that for whatever reason really hit me was that I bought a maternity shirt specifically to wear on Christmas that I probably won't wear this pregnancy. 

Two more weeks and the doctors will consider Baby Girl viable outside of the womb. I plan on making it much further than 2 weeks! With all of the water it seems I have began to have small leaks, which means the baby is making fluid. This is a good sign. I have had a difficult time gaining weight this entire pregnancy, so I have been trying to eat more! No weight gain, but no weight decrease! 

I have been praying Psalm 91 over Baby Girl every day. If you have any verses or prophecies for Baby Girl, Matt and I would love to hear! We know she will be world traveler. That she already knows Jesus and will always know her identity in Christ! That she will have an impact on the children of God like Mother Teresa! 

We are so thankful that Baby Girl has prayers for her all over the world! Wow! I will keep everyone updated after the appointment Monday with the Perinatologist! 

Today I Choose Hope.

This morning I woke up ready to go to the doctor. I just knew that the report would be great. A miracle even. 

After my vitals, my doctor started the exam and determined I did not have an infection. We heard the baby's heart rate, which was normal. He did a cervix check, still closed. 

Then came the sonogram. My doctor was quiet most of the time, which is not like him. He showed the nurse the fibroid, the baby, the heartbeat, etc. I could see the screen, and though I could see Baby Dolores moving, I could also see why my doctor was quiet.

He came back in. Before he said anything I started crying. He told me I stopped leaking fluid because the fluid was not being replenished. 

This time there was a lot less hope. He said that he could go ahead and admit me to the hospital, but there wouldn't be anything they could do still until 23 weeks. He said he thought it would be better for me to be with my family. 

I asked about the fluid replenishing itself. He told me that it could happen but he didn't want to get my hopes up. I cried, a lot. 

I ran into the on call doctor I saw on Sunday and she asked how I was doing. I broke down and told her. Her response changed everything. She said "we see miracles everyday." She told me (as did my doctor and nurse) she would be praying for the best outcome.  

Monday I go see the Perinatologist. He should be able to tell me a little bit more, and visits with the Perinatologist will possibly become a regular in my routine. I will be seeing my doctor weekly, also. 

In Mozambique I met people that had been brought back from the dead. I saw people healed. I heard a man tell his testimony of him being so close to death that his wife, who is full of faith had lost hope. 

So today, I choose hope. No one will call me stupid for believing in the best outcome. To be honest, I don't think the lack of fluid is anyway in a challenge to God. 

I believe not only will she make it to 23 weeks, she will make it longer. No infections, and no preterm labor. Repaired amniotic sac and relished fluid. 

What I ask of you is to have hope with us. To block out negative outcomes and believe with us for a miracle. 

Update: Higher Risk

I just wanted to give an update on what's going on with the Monks, mostly Baby Monk. Sorry if some of it is TMI... 

Well, we are all moved into the house and had started unpacking and I stepped away to start cooking. All of the sudden I felt what felt like the bleeding I experienced in early pregnancy. I hurried to the bathroom and I lost some fluid. I had no pains and no fever, though.

I yelled for Matt and we got in the car and headed to the hospital. I called the on call doctor and she called ahead to labor and delivery. 

I was brought into a room and had to go through triage. The nurse was very sweet and calm. She took some samples and said the doctor was going to have to do an exam to get a better sample. She kept me calm and made sure to tell me all of the possibilities. 

The doctor then did a sonogram and we saw our daughter moving around and her little heartbeat, but the amount of fluid around her was very low. 

The doctor left only to return shortly to let me know that my amniotic sac had definitely ruptured. She went through all of the options, worst case I would go into labor or I could get an infection resulting in early forced labor.

Next is that I could hang in there for 3 weeks, see my doctor and the Perinatologist and they could come up with a plan for me to check into the large Seton Hospital in Austin. At 23-24 weeks they can use steroids and antibiotics to keep me healthy and help baby develop for a possible premature birth. 

There is hope. I have heard/read stories of the amniotic fluid replenishing itself and babies making it to full term. Also, the amniotic sac healing itself and the threat going down significantly! 

Needless to say, I am on STRICT bed rest. Only getting out of bed/off the couch for using the restroom, short showers and travel to the doctor. 

As of this morning I have not leaked any fluid (thank you Jesus). I am staying super hydrated to keep the risk of labor down. My mom is coming in town for a few days and my mother in law for a few days to help out. 

I had to get another Rhogam shot this morning and the nurse said its a good sign I haven't leaked any fluid! My mom will take me I my doctor on Wednesday and then I will see the Perinatologist Monday. 

I have been declaring life over our tiny girl's body and declaring for contractions to hold off for another 4 months. Declaring health and no infections in Jesus name! Declaring that the amniotic sac will heal itself and close up. 

Matt is taking good care of me and I haven't had to do anything for myself. I hate that I can't clean up after myself or make my own food right now. Even getting up to get water is probably more than I should be doing. 

Please stand with us for our little girl. 

Psalm 91 gives us promise of our God being greater than any trial. That he protects us in the scariest of times. 

John 16:33 declares that in this world we will face trials, but we should take heart, Jesus has overcome the world. 

I believe with all my heart he is protecting us. 

Today

Today I feel rather content. 

I'm noticing my emotions are getting the best of me lately, and not the cute "crying at every commercial" kind so much (although that does happen). It's more of the "everyone's getting on my nerves" kind. Not fun! 

I am now back to my pre pregnancy weight plus 2lbs or so. My doctor was happy about that. I'm also doing much better health wise! My doctor upped my iron supplements and that has helped a lot! Most important, baby is doing great! November 19 is the big anatomy scan appointment :) 

For the fun stuff: I am loving maternity jeans. I love hot sauce, but mostly the kind you get at Taco Bell or Jack in the Box! I also am very into corn dogs with lots of mustard... I don't know what that's about. 

Matt and I have applied for an apartment in Buda and are hoping to find out ASAP of we are approved! Hoping we are because it's a good price! Matt also is scheduled for his first day at his new job next week, so I will go back to not having a car once again. Pray we are able to get one sooner than later! 

Hope all is well in your world.