Wow.
So much has changed because I'm terrible at blogging.
We got married and it was a wonderful day. I'll eventually post some how-tos on some of the handmade stuff we did and pictures! We honeymooned in northern AZ, enjoyed the Grand Canyon, Bearizona as well as some beautiful scenery.
Fast forwars to December, Jonathan's mom suffered a stroke and is still recovering in Phoenix. She is going strong just still has some recovery to do before she can come back to Yuma. We've been up to visit a few times (including Christmas) which brought me to my first time seeing snow.
Brittany is now married to the love of her life. I was honored to join their hands in marriage as the first wedding I've preformed as an ordained minister.
Brianna is expecting! Scott and Brianna will be welcoming a baby boy this July. I'm so excited for them and happy to be there for one of my best friends.
Which brings me to my own baby story. That's right, Jonathan and I were expecting as well.
I was 8 weeks along with what we believed to be a healthy pregnancy. I followed all the rules, ate the right foods and asked a lot of questions. We'd told our parents, close friends and the girls at work.
Monday I began to have what I would say more than spotting. The nurse at Woman's Health ensured me this was normal. So I went on with my week and called Labor and Delivery on Friday as the bleeding had increased and I just didn't feel right; I was no longer nauseous and didn't have the usual pregnancy symptoms I had been having. They said unless I found myself in excruciating pain, they couldn't do much for me. I also talked to Kiki who encouraged me to go to triage if I was concerned.
Saturday morning I bled. Alot. It made me nervous but otherwise I felt fine. I got up, did some stuff around the house and eventually began getting ready for work.
I suddenly had cramps, light at first then a little more intense. Was I panicking or were these pregnancy pains? I told Jonathan at 12:02 I meeded to go to the ER.
The whole way there I felt terrible, as if my insides were trying to find a way out. Once there I hurried to the restroom where I felt like I could never get up. They wheeled me into triage where the nurse got me settled into a room.
I felt helpless and like I was over reacting but I knew something wasn't right. The nurse took my concerns and tried to keep my comfortable while the doctors planned my course of action.
(We are about to get personal, skip this next section if you'd like)
They asked for a urine sample but no matter how much I felt the need to pee nothing would come out. Up and down, bed to bathroom, again and again. I finally felt like I was ready to but just as a big cramp subdued I head a splash. After a brief panic I looked down to see a large mass of tissue and I had immediate relief. I called the nurse in fearing the worst.
(Carry on, readers digest; I passed a mass of tissue)
The nurse collected the tissue and called in the doctor. They both said I'd still be having an ultrasound done as well as blood labs but it was quite a bit of tissue and they just wanted to be sure. I knew my fear had come true. By approximately 2:30 I had miscarred.
An empty ultrasound, reduced HcG levels and a closed cervix confirmed what had happened. I didn't have to have any surgery as it all happened naturally.
I did learn a few things though.
I am a negative blood type. This is a lot more significant than I'd thought.
Being Rh Negative means I should be treates with a specific vaccine; Rho(D) immune globulin. Without it, if the baby is to be a positive blood type and my body creates Rh antibodies it will attack the baby's red blood cells if our blood should mix. This isn't the most rare situation to be in but it is one that is important to be aware of and know that the fetus made need special care. After calling my mom I found out she too is Rh Negative and also had to receive the vaccine.
I learned that your intuitive self can tell when something is not right. I didn't cry a lot at the hospital as they rold me what was going on. I was able to stay pretty calm with the nurse and doctor because I'd had an entire week to get used to the idea that I'd possibly be miscarrying.
I learned (more so confirmed) that Jonathan is an excellent shoulder to lean on. He sat with me, held my hand and prayed bedside while I waited to see ehat was happening. He stayed strong for me and did everything he could. He's not really broke down, at least not in front of me and he may not, because he too had a week already to think about everything.
So where do I go from here?
We already had a doctor's appointment with my OB scheduled for Tuesday so we will be following up to ensure my hCg levels return to 0 over time and to discuss the next steps.
We will try again, maybe not super soon but we will have a family. I will eventually share my story and hope to educate others about Rh Negative impacts on pregnancy. I had no knowledge on the subject until yesterday. Will I become some sort of die-hard advocate? No, but if I can help a few ladies understand their bodies it would be a blessing.
