This is scary...Updates from Doctor's Appointment yesterday

Okay, so we had our doctor's appointment yesterday and I left feeling not so great. Hudson is doing just fine, so don't worry!!!  We heard his heartbeat and it is very strong, just like his little body. :)

Here's where it gets a little spooky... The doctor checked my cervix and his first comment was "You don't have much cervix left". Well, thanks a lot!!!  I felt like saying "You don't have much hair left!!!" All joking aside, that worried me because every other appointment, when they check me, they say "Cervix is great. Very thick and high."  Telling me I don't have much left doesn't sound so reassuring.

The next part of the appointment was the steroid shot to help Hudson's lungs develop faster. They stuck it right in my hiney and let me tell you, OUCH!!!  I have to have another one today and I'm begging that my sister in law nurse Jennifer will put it in the other cheek!!!  Adam and I asked the doctor a lot of questions about this shot before having it, and it sounded like the best benefit from the shot to Hudson happens if you have the shot 10 within giving birth...I'm no mathologist, but does that mean we will have a baby here in the next 10 days???  Geeze!!!!  The doctor did say we were good for another week or so, (just by his cervix check assessment), so that's a little calming... He did not however want to wait to give me the shots, which means that he is assuming Hudson will be here sooner, rather than later.

We've known for months that Hudson will be early, but I think actually getting the shots made it a little more real to me. The entire time, we haven't been letting ourselves even imagine that he would be here sooner than 35 or 36 weeks, but after yesterday, it is a very real feeling that our son will be born more premature than that. As of today, I am 30 weeks, and I'm predicting that we'll have him by 33 weeks...

Doc also discussed them implanting a terbutatline pump under my skin to help with all of the contractions and pain I've been having. The office was checking to see if insurance will cover it and if they do, hopefully that will help! It's sorta like an insulin pump- it's implanted just under the skin (ouch) and then I wear a pump around all day that slowly administers the medicine. Sounds a little complicated to me, but if it's going to help me rest and not be in pain, I'm all for it!

The only thing I can do personally right now, is not put any weight on my decreasing cervix, so that means lying in bed most of the time. I know I've been on "bed rest/house arrest" for the last 10 weeks, but I have been doing things around the house occasionally (doing dishes, making lunch, etc....). This was just a big reminder to STOP and lie flat! Fun.

Okay, that's all the info we have now.  Adam is feeling confident and continues to be the glue in this family, saying "It's all going to be okay."  I know it is, God is in charge.  It's just hard hearing stuff like that when you know your body is changing and preparing for childbirth before our baby is ready.

Asking for prayers and appreciating all of the love and support thus far.

The latest...

Getting Bigger...

Several friends have asked me what's going on since I haven't posted anything new in over a week...sorry. Here you go...

Contractions: These darn things continue on a pretty regular basis. As Hudson gets bigger, the contractions get stronger. I am just breathing through them and knowing that they will be with me briefly and go away.

Cravings: FRESH FRUIT- plums are the new rage- at least 2 a day. I guess it's better than craving ice cream and brownies though!!!

Health: This ragweed floating around sure is tickling my nose lately. I even developed a dumb sinus infection, but since I'm knocked up, there's not much doc can do...Oh well!

Dinners: The incredible PTA moms from Wedgewood have been feeding us the last two weeks and boy do we feel loved! A huge thank you to Jan Carley for coordinating the meals being delivered every other day. Our dinner angels have been: Jan Carley, Lori Gibson, Holly Conrad, Kelly Orsag, and Lauri Petty. THANK YOU sweet Bunco friends- your continued prayers and generous gestures fill my heart with warmth and love.  Adam is so grateful to you as well- not having to cook after working all day is such a blessing. I wish I could play bunco with you girls soon- Much love.

This Weekend: My Dad and brother Evan came into town to see us. It was a PERFECT Saturday of college football, Tennessee Pork BBQ, smokies, bacon, and laughter. I haven't felt that good in a while- thanks. All we were missing was sweet Mama who had to stay in Uvalde for a church meeting. You were here in spirit. :)

THIS WEEK: We have a doc appt this Thursday to get our first steroid shot to help Hudson's lungs develop a little faster. Not looking forward to the big needle, but I know that is what is necessary for our son. Doc will also do another FFN test to see how great the chance of labor is in the next 10-14 days. She's been doing them every 2 weeks since week 20 and they've all been normal.

There have been a lot of questions about delivery and due date. I apologize for not being as clear in my last post. Here is the very latest: I WILL NOT go past 36 weeks (which is Thanksgiving week). Doc said she is "going to try to get me to 35 or 36 weeks", but there is a very good chance he will come before that. If I do make it to 36 weeks, they will most likely schedule a c-section to take him out of the too-small oven. So............ either way, Adam and I will have Hudson here by Thanksgiving AT THE LATEST!!!  Can't wait to meet him and get to hug him! Also very excited about getting to be home for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and not having to eat hospital food!!!

That's all for now- thank you all for being interested in our pregnancy and for continuing to lift us up in your prayers. We know God is in charge and it is so nice that you all are asking Him to look out for us. Much love to everyone,

A.S.H.



My good buddy Krista and her son Asher. It sure has been a blessing to go through this with her. Can't wait for Hudson and Asher to play together.