"There is a one in a billion chance of it happening again." I was told this time and time again, by multiple medical professionals. Somewhere in the back of my mind I was prepared, I hadn't latched onto the due date knowing that pregnancy with me is a fly by the night sort of experience.
As I passed the dreaded 26 weeks mark, felt the baby active, did not feel too big for my due date and hadn't been asked by multiple strangers in a day if I was having twins that maybe this go around I would be able to go full-term and really experience pregnancy to the fullest. There is a part of me that still holds dear to this...
According to statistics, there is less than a 1% percent chance of having polyhydramnios (read more about my less than 1% journey HERE), even less for women that do not have gestational diabetes which tends to be the primary cause. So imagine my surprise at my 28 week appointment being told that I am officially polyhydramniotic (if this is not a word, I believe being a medical anomaly allots me the opportunity to make one up for this situation)...again (cue all the face palm emojis).
I can say that "currently" my fluid levels are no where near where I was two years ago because;
I am not currently in a hospital on bed rest
I am not being sent to the hospital
The levels are about half of what they were when I was sent to the hospital.
Yes, it is slowly increasing and according to that lovely glaring number of 27 I do have what would be considered as excessive amniotic fluid and therefore have polyhydramnios...for the second time...let that sink in...SECOND TIME!!
I would have had a better chance of a cartoon piano hitting me from the top story of a penthouse before this occurring again, yet here I am.
My amazing Perinatologist checked over the baby thoroughly assuring me multiple times throughout the appointment that with the exception of the fluid, the baby looked great. He was the weight he needed to be, all fingers and toes were accounted for, kidneys and organs were all functioning accordingly and there appeared to be no reason this should be occurring...for the SECOND TIME! Yet here I am and it didn't take long after the appointment for his office manager to call me and increase my visits. Here we go again!
My appointments with my OB/GYN and the Perinatologist are staggered, so there is never a large span of time between the other. My 30-week appointment was April 2nd. This is yet another HUGE milestone for me as this time two years ago, I had not only been in the hospital for a month and getting drained for amniotic fluid, but I was also giving birth to EV. Is it really giving birth when you are being told that there is going to be an emergency c-section and the baby is delivered that way?! But this is a whole other conversation and instead we will just get back to your regularly scheduled programming...
My OB entered the room like she always does "Guess What?! You are still pregnant!" She's a hoot, always keeps me level-headed and spends a great deal of time going over everything medical even if she thinks I am well aware of the information she is providing. We went over new symptoms that had developed. Or rather symptoms I lovingly refer to as never having experienced prior so I have no idea what is "normal" or what is not and I pretty much you "what to expect" online as my WEBMD because I would have dysentery if it was up to them.
We talked about my labored breathing. It has become difficult walking from the car to my office which is literally such a close walk that I am almost embarrassed to document this.
We talked about the scratch on my leg which now looks like a diseased wolverine attacked me (I am running with this FYI). She literally took a pen drew a haphazard circle around it and said I shouldn't worry unless the bruising started to develop outside of the lines. I am not even kidding with this one.
Of course the majority of the conversation centered around the polyhydramnios which because of the amount (which probably would have been a huge deal to some) and it being nowhere near where it was didn't really phase her other than yes, it was a smidge high, but for me it was in the normal-ish range. I have apparently set my own precedent of polyhydramnios normal...WEBMD watchout!
To my relief the ultrasound showed exactly what we would want to see, that the fluid was not overtaking my body or the baby, all of his organs were functioning, he was not swallowing any of the fluid, ten fingers and toes were accounted for, our doctor was quite impressed by his endowment, which caused my husband to flush excessively (bonus to me), and apparently when the fluid 'pockets" are not accounted for, my fluid was at 21, which means it was either lessening or it wasn't developing any higher than it already was. For the first time in this pregnancy I breathed a normal sigh of relief and patted myself on the back for all of my personal milestones having been officially surpassed. Everything here on out is a brand new milestone that I have yet to experience;
Taking a tour of the actual hospital without being an admitted patient first
Actual contractions (I know many of you are grimacing at this, but still a first for me).
Potentially a planned on-schedule c-section
Being that 'extra' 'basic' girl and packing the cute hospital bag filled with jammies and babies take home clothes rather then dissertation material and whatever my husband thought I would need (one does not tend to pack or thinking about packing an essentials bag at 26 weeks let alone immediately being transferred from appointment to hospital).
Oh and hullo Instagram worthy pics...
Ladies, if for ANY REASON you think that you MAY go into labor early....even if it is an inkling of a thought and you have not had time to pack a bag, do yourself the due diligence and start making notes of what you would want brought with you. Even if that means creating a list on your phone at the start of what would be your 30-weeks (even sooner if you are THAT person #nojudgement).
Not only should this list be created, but specifics of where these things can be found and maybe even consider pictures of what said items look like. it may not matter to you now, but once you are confined to the hospital and are unable to come and go as you please, having these things will be a matter of life and death...if not yours, it will be for the people that are with you in the hospital.
DO NOT...I repeat DO NOT, let your partner/family member/friend get you any ol' thing that THEY think you might need to bring you comfort. It will not bring you comfort! If anything, it will annoy you. In this scenario, be prepared for a heated conversation regarding why they thought you would only need a toothbrush (sans toothpaste), gym shorts and a robe (not even a cute one at that)?"
Oh and make it simple for the individual and put your list into categories of where the items are located, such as; closet, bathroom, nightstand, armoire/chest of drawers, etc. The more specific, the better chance you have of getting exactly what you want and the lesser chance there is of having the bag thrown at you when they come back to the hospital smelling like the french fries that you are unable to eat. (#bitterpartyofone) You will thank me later for this, I promise.
You know what?! Just to be on the safe side, I think I will start this list now annnnnd maybe start putting together my "must haves" and toiletry case (#mamahasanexcessiveskincareregime #sorrynotsorry).