GROWTH SCAN

Had another growth scan yesterday and little Brayden weighs a whopping 3 pounds and 8 ounces. Me and my younger sister had a bet going as go how much he would weigh and needless to say we both lost. He was bigger than both our guesses. Of course he was still really low and I doubt he will move from that position until he is born. Please continue to keep both of us in your prayers.

BABY BRAYDEN 28 WEEK SCAN

HOSPITAL TREATMENT DAY 20-2-09

Hospital

Had my regular appointment at the hospital yesterday, but had to go back due to some pains in my stomach. Was kinda weird, I was just sitting and all the sudden I had this really severe pain near my belly button and my stomach would get tight which lasted for about 45 minutes. With my blood condition I decided to go back to the hospital just to check things out. When I got there they hooked me up to the fetal heart and contraction monitor and all was fine. I got to see my regular OB and she thinks that because I have previous scar tissue from key hole surgery that is what is causing the pain. Also she said we would pick a date for my C-section at my next appointment on March 4th. It will be approxiamtely 5 weeks from now. So things are moving along and I'm getting more and more nervous but excited to meet my little baby. I just want him to be strong enough to not have to spend too much time in the NICU or have any major problems. We will love him with everything we have regardless, I just don't want anything to happen to him because we have waited and wanted him for so long now. I know everything is in gods hands and I pray that he continues to watch over us and keep us wrapped in his love and protection. Have a lovely day :)

Just a quick update.....we have made it to 29 weeks YEAHHHH!!!!! All is still going well. My doctors are on vacation this week so I have been told I have been forbidden of going into labor while they are gone. HA HA!!! But things have been going good only a few minor cramps here and there. I can really tell he is down low because I can't walk for very long before i get really really sore. So far this week I was at hospital on Monday just to do my treatment, but I was able to draw blood from my central line myself then draw my own blood from my hand after. Am very proud of myself for learning how to do those things as it helps me to feel more in control of my blood condition. This week I go back on Friday for the same then next week I have another scan on Monday. Will update as to how that goes. To Bess, thank you so much for praying for me and my little one. It really means alot to me to know someone else cares. I need all the prayers I can get as delivery draws nearer and nearer. God Bless

A BIT MORE ABOUT MYSELF

Just thought I'd take the time to tell a bit more about myself from the beginning. My name is Michelle and I was born with a rare congenital blood condition called Afibrinogenemia and secondary platelet dysfunction. I come from a family of 5 siblings, 2 brothers and 2 sisters. My mom did have her first baby, a girl when she was 6 & 1/2 months pregnant but she only lived for a few hours. It was suspected she had the same disorder that I have. My oldest brother Eddie also had the same condition but sadly he passed away from a brain bleed in April 2008. No one else in any of my family history has this condition, but both my parents had to be carriers. My father did have a platelet problem but was not properly diagnosed before he passed away several years ago. During my childhood, I had too many visits to the hospital to count or even remember. The only memories I really have are from my hospital records. As I young adult I had my first serious bleed at 18 where I lost 2000ml of blood from a ruptured ovarian cyst. When I was 24 I suffered a light stroke from a brain bleed. Fortunately the only side affects from the stroke are minor numbness in my left arm. Over the course of several years till now I have had about 7 other ovarian cysts rupture. They were all very painful but nothing compared to the first one, where my family didn't think I would survive. Other than that I have suffered numerous joint bleeds and swelling in different places from injuries. I have always struggled with the fact that I may never have children, and trust me that has been very difficult for me. Because my blood disorder is so rare there is just not enough documented history for the doctors to go by. So I received different opinions from different doctors. Some said it would be possible with fibrinogen replacement and some doctors said no, it was to dangerous to attempt a pregnancy. Anyway I probably would miscarry without treatment between 5 to 6 weeks. Most people don't even know they are pregnant at that time. Needless to say I felt like it was a lost cause. Then in August of this year I started having swelling and pain in my abdomen. I knew from the start that I had another bleed from a cyst that ruptured. I went to the hospital early one morning cause I could no longer take the pain. Sure enough I had loose blood from a cyst again. But God must have been looking over me because on that same day I found out I was pregnant!!! That day they started my treatment as a precaution until they got confirmation it was a viable pregnancy. I had a scan later that day to check the bleeding and the pregnancy. There was a gestational sac which they estimated me to be 6 weeks pregnant but there was no baby yet. After a few days in hospital I was discharged with an appointment for a follow up scan. After one week I went back for my next scan to find out there was still only a sac but no baby. My hcg levels were going up and the sac had grown but nothing more. The doctor sat me down and spoke about molar pregnancies. At the point I was very upset that the baby might not develop. Once again I went home with no answers, but still being treated with fibrinogen as if it was viable. After one more week I went for my next scan, and there he was with his little heart beating away. Words can not say how happy I felt. At that time they dated my pregnancy at 6 weeks, it was just too early in the other scans. Since then things have progressed normally in my pregnancy. I have gone from getting my treatment in hospital (1 bottle twice a week) to treating myself at home with 3 bottle three times a week. It has gotten to the point that things are changing the later I get in pregnancy. I have had a couple of stays in hospital. One day I was at the hospital waiting to get my treatment when I passed out for no apparent reason. The landed me in hospital for 2 days for observation. The other time I was having pains in my stomach so again was admitted for 3 days for observation. Both stays turned out to be fine. About a month ago my doctors decided to install a Hickman Line (central line) for my treatments. My veins were starting to blow very easily and I had resorted to sticking myself in the feet 3 times a week to access a vein. With the central line I have instant access to a vein. My doctors feel more confident with this line in place, that way if I come in with an emergency or bleeding they can start me on a transfusion straight away. The actual procedure was not that bad. I had a local anaesthetic and only a couple of stitches. It was very sore for a few days after but is fine now. So far during my pregnancy I have had about 9 scans and have them every 2 weeks or so. At one of my last scans they discovered the baby's head is already engaged. On that day they decided to give me the fetal fibronectin test. This is to see if I could go into labor in the next 2 weeks. It came back as positive, which meant I have a 50/50 chance of going into early labor. We spent the day talking to different specialists, viewing the NICU and getting the steroid shots to help develop the baby's lungs. It as been nearly 2 weeks and nothing has happened which is a blessing. I will find out at my next appointment if the risk still remains. It was decided however because of my blood disorder that my baby will be delivered early at 34 weeks. So either way he will be premature, just depends on how early as to how premature. With gods grace he will stay put as long as needed for him to grow strong. My fibrongen consumption has started to go up quite a bit. I am currently on 4 bottles on Monday and Wednesday and 5 bottles on Friday. I have weekly appointments with haematology to test my fibriogen level and weekly appointments with my OB and midwife to keep an eye on things. Thanks so much for everyone's continued support especially my family. Also I want to thank god for watching over us and for everyone's prayers as we continue on this unknown journey.

Had my hospital appointment and treatment today. Was on the day ward as my regular nurse was off today. All went well except it seems that my Hickman Line (central line for meds) might be infected. The nurse did a swab and changed my dressing, will have the results back in about a week. My chest near and under my arm where the line is has been slightly painful but I was thinking it's just where the line itself goes into the vein. If it is an infection hopefully they can prescribe antibiotics to resolve the issue. If not then they will have to remove the line and put a new one in. Hope not as this line has only been in for a month. Other than that things are going well. I have noticed today that I am starting to waddle when I walk....yikes :) We stopped by a couple baby stores today and picked up a few bits for the baby.

Yeahhhh!!!! So happy to make it to 28 weeks!!!! Things are going good, so far no signs of early labor. Each week is a milestone to get to which makes the baby that much stronger. Plus the fact that I have been eating enough for 5 people!! Once again it is snowing again this evening, had hoped it wouldn't as makes for difficult trips to the hospital. :)

Well today has been a very uneventful day. Am just figuring out the world of blogging so was able to change my page around a little bit. Looking through different blogs I can't believe just how many people are in need of prayers. I have added some links to my page for others to share in these stories that I find inspirational. Not much going on so I decided to give our little doggie Bailey a haircut and a bath. He didn't like it but I'm sure he feels much better now. Just doing that has worn me down for the day :) God bless.

Hospital Appointment

Well today has been a good day. Went to the hospital this morning for another scan and for my fibrinogen treatment. Brayden weighs an impressive estimated 2 lbs and 9 ozs!!!!! Was so glad to hear this as at my last scan over a week ago they could not get enough measurements to give us a weight. He was still in that low engaged position but was up just enough for her to get the head measurement this time. With the possibility of him coming early every ounce is a bonus! Treatment went just fine today, is getting to be a bit more complicated with the amount that I have to use. Just gotta make sure I keep my legs and feet moving to avoid any blood clots. I really can't express how happy I am with the ultrasound results today. Got to see my precious little boy smacking his lips together again today like he was sucking on something....was so cute!! Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

5-2-08

Am excited because tomorrow we get to see our little man again on ultrasound.....can't wait. Also have to get my treatment at the hospital as they have increased my treatment to 5 bottles of fibrinogen (5 grams) on friday. Will update tomorrow with how everything went.

my lil man @ 17 weeks

My lil man @ 17 weeks

5-2-08 1st EVER BLOG

After following the blog of little Kayleigh I have decided to post my own blog about our journey to parenthood.  I am 27 weeks pregnant with our first little boy Brayden Michael.  I have had a few ups and downs but for the most part all is well.  Here is a little recap of the last few weeks: Well, it's been 5 days since I had a positive Fetal Fironectin test (50/50 chance of going into preterm labor in the next 2 weeks)  and the scan that showed my little man's head is already engaged. (silly lil guy).......and all is fine :)  So far so good, only some minor cramps several days ago but nothing to worry about.  Right now I am taking the doctors advise and trying not to do too much, staying off my feet as much as possible.  I was able to get both the required steroid shots last week to help speed up fetal lung development.  It was very scary at my appointment with the doctors freaking out over early labor and my blood condition!!!  Me and my poor husband Andrew just sat there in shock!!!  But I am glad they are on top of things and it made me feel more confident after I got to speak with some of the other doctors that will be involved in my care.  After speaking to the Anesthetist, my one big concern was in regards to bleeding and the pain relief issue.  He completely put my mind at ease in both regards.  He had actually done some research about my blood condition and found 4 case studies (yes only 4 in the world) that have had successful pregnancies.  He stated that in all 4 cases ( 2 being vaginal and 2 being c-section) that the blood loss with fibrinogen replacement was around 600ml in the vaginal birth and the worst case was 2000ml with a c-section that had placental abruption. And on the subject of pain relief they don't want to do an epidural because the increased risk that I have of bleeding into the spine if it's only for pain.  But they have decided I can have an epidural if I start to get into trouble and the risks start to outweigh the benefits.  UPdate:  as of my appointment yesterday my OB wants to plan a C-section at 34 weeks to minimize risk to myself and the baby.  I will get a spinal block if my fibrinogen level is stable enough at the time, if not I will be put to sleep.  They want me to go into natural labor before then even if it is early as my body is starting to use up more and more fibrinogen . I also got to visit the NICU at the hospital to prepare us what to expect with a preterm baby.  Was good to see how well they are actually taken care of.  Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers that little bub will stay in as long as possible.