It seems a bit premature to write my third-trimester wrap-up, but I’m still facing a complete placenta previa, which may force me to have this baby a few weeks early. Translation: the baby may be here in less than a month!
I’m simultaneously cat-cowing, acupuncturing, and praying my guts out that the placenta miraculously moves in the next few weeks, while also pumping my body full of supplements such as iron and magnesium to prepare for a c-section.
The thing that feels a bit somber is that I am constantly on the lookout for blood since a previa often causes the placenta to hemorrhage, especially in the third trimester. After two miscarriages and a first-trimester filled with progesterone and a little bit of fear, I was ready to leave the days of nervously looking for blood behind me. Unfortunately, I get warned by my doctor at every appointment that bleeding may occur and to go straight to labor and delivery if it does. However, praise God, it hasn’t happened at all. My OB looked at me a bit incredulously when I said there had been no blood at my last appointment. So despite a bit of sadness over the possibility of hemorrhaging, I am delighted that God has prevented it thus far. When I learned the placenta still hadn’t moved after Christmas, I held my January and February plans loosely, knowing that bedrest could prevent me from teaching, attending my sister’s baby shower in Texas, or making one last trip to Arizona before the baby arrives.
I am so thankful that I’m now 33 weeks and still standing – literally. I am still teaching twice a week, traveled to my sister’s baby shower, and just got back from Arizona a few days ago. God has been gracious.
About 15 minutes before my sister’s baby shower started in Austin, my midwife called to tell me the placenta still had not moved. Now we will schedule a c-section at 37 weeks, but I will get to do one last ultrasound at 36 weeks to see if there are any changes. After my sister’s party, we went home to organize her nursery. I had a slight moment of panic as I watched her fold clothes and sort through gifts because I realized how unprepared I am to have a newborn in the house. In fact, if my baby comes early, my sister and I will likely have our babies the same exact week – maybe even the same day!
My original “maternity leave” plan was to finish teaching at spring break, which gives me three weeks between my last class and the baby’s due date. I was hoping to finish my grading and then take a week or two to rest and nest before the baby’s arrival. Now it is quite likely I will have the baby days after my last class ends. I will be rushed to finish my grading and will have no time to nest and prepare. I am a very low-maintenance mom in general, and especially for my fourth child, but as I sat in my sister’s nursery and looked around, I suddenly realized I had no idea where my newborn items were at home.
I lent my Solly Wrap to someone and I can’t even remember who. Did it ever get returned?
Do I still have a boppy pillow?
I need one of those milk catcher things so no ounces of milk go to waste during those first few weeks.
I came home to California the next day feeling a bit anxious. It probably didn’t help that I made the mistake of researching c-sections right before I went to bed before catching a 6 am flight. I tossed and turned all night and hardly slept at all.
Thankfully, I pried open our baby storage tubs the day after I got back, and I found everything I need. The Solly was there. The boppy was there (Micah suggested he might have gotten rid of it.) A little handful of boy and girl newborn clothes was there. A nursing cover was there. I did a load of laundry to wash all the newborn items and took a deep breath. It will be okay if the baby comes early. I am still praying the baby comes in April, but I am ready if he or she comes in March. Either way, God is good. Either way, I am thankful.
