Take it "Really" Easy

I have a lot more answers this week! Turns out I have a subchorionic bleed. 

As you all know, we saw a heartbeat during an ultrasound on Monday, which was very amazing considering my condition. In most cases seeing the heartbeat at that point would have been enough to breathe easy, but my bleeding and cramping kept getting worse. So, we went back to the midwife's clinic today for another and more high tech ultrasound. 

When they first offered to do this, they told me it was for my "peace of mind" and since I didn't want to feel like a wimp, I told them it would not be necessary. But I woke up the next morning and remembered that my whole mantra about this process is "Peace of Mind for all Women." So, I called back and said I'd take it. I had read a lot online about women with this problem who have to beg their doctors to take a closer look in order to tell them what is actually happening to them. I love my midwives. 

So, they made me drink 32 oz of water and hold my pee for an hour, which just about killed me. They do this because a full bladder pushes the baby stuff closers to the Ultrasound machine so they could really see what was happening. But by the time Tim and I walked into the office, I was literally watering from my eyes and about to wet myself. (And that is no joke coming from the mama who pushed for 4 hours with baby #1. Dear me.) I signed in, and the women asked if I had a full bladder. I said yes, but then I about lost it. I waited until no one was looking. I ran to the bathroom and let a little out. I had to be very disciplined. It was one of those, "Think about your baby" (stop peeing... now... ok, now. STOP. Fine.) I was only back in my seat for 3 seconds before they called my name. Close call. 

During the ultrasound they saw our awesome baby's heartbeat again. And they found a subchorionic bleed, which has been causing the problems. The problems is not uncommon, they said. But it is also not all common. So basically, I'm all messed up. But what is important to know is that it is me that is bleeding and not the baby. My subchorionic bleed is a pocket of the placenta that has not properly attached to the uterine wall. The cramping is my body's way of trying to stop the bleeding, but the cramping causes its own set of problems for the baby and the healing process. 

So, in the end, I am sitting down for awhile. "Take it easy" now means do not to anything when I feel cramps (which is always) and avoid all exercise and lifting (including Quinn) until the bleeding has stopped for an entire week. (FYI: no sign of drying up anytime soon.) I would love to say that the bleeding has slowed down with 48 hours of almost complete bed rest... but it hasn't. The midwife said this could last for up to another 4 weeks. Dear me, again. 

But I have an awesome support system. I feel like I understand what is going on and how to fix it. I have amazing neighbors and friends, and Tim and i have sat down and talked in detail about what I can and cannot do. So, maybe this will be a needed chance to catch up on grading. The hardest part is not being able to play with Quinn the way I like to. She is getting a bit upset about it. So, we pulled out a big box that was supposed to be a Christmas gift from Grammy. Now it is the bed rest gift ... a new tricycle! 

The hardest part will be working next week. I have to go in to teach 5 times next week, and one of the days will be about 12 hours. It might set me back, but I am looking for ways to ease up the day: park close to my classes, start class late so i don't have to rush, and put my feet up while impart great knowledge to my geniuses. I would get out of it if I could, but we have to eat. 

I'm going to post the names of all the people who help, so watch names and thank you's coming up.