[LisaG825]

First off: Let me start by saying that I am/was so grateful for all of you ladies here. You helped me when I really needed the support and I wouldn't be where I am at today. You helped me through all my agonizing blood draws and chemo. You also helped me gain strength during my pregnancy after my loss. There were times when I hit a very low spot and didn't want to continue on, but you ladies helped me pull through it all.

My journey: What brought me here


For those of you that don't know me: My name is Lisa (26) and dh is Matt (29). I got pregnant in September of 2009. I had several u/s saying that everything was fine. I started having severe swelling in my ankles and ended up with high blood pressure at 14/15 weeks. My dr put me on bp meds on a friday. I went in a few days later b/c bp meds weren't working. I had a lot of protein in my urine. When I returned my 24 hour urine and went in for the nurse to check my bp and to have my dr. switch my meds and they couldn't find a hb. U/s confirmed that baby passed away (wed.) On friday we had a strong healthy hb by doppler at the office. My baby passed away sometime after that appt. I was then induced that very same day at 15w4d. I delivered my baby boy that night. 12/16/2009

Pathology report came back that I had a partial molar pregnancy and needed weekly blood draws to check my hcg level. I started the weekly blood draws in January. I still had positive hcg levels. My dr. started me on methotrexate and I had 3 injections (1x a week). I ended up needing a d&c 2 months after I delivered my son b/c I was still not negative. Pathology report from d&c still showed molar cells. I was then sent to an oncologist and was started on a chemo through an iv. I had 6 treatments through an iv and finally reached negative the end of June. My hcg stayed positive for 6 1/2 months. I am not sure if I developed cancer or not. I had some drs. mention that I developed GTD/GTN and some said I didn't.

Here is a link that describes molar pregnancy, GTD and GTN for those of you that are wondering what it is.

Molar Pregnancy
Molar Pregnancy

I was then told I needed to continue weekly draws for about 3 weeks, switch to twice a month for 2 months and then monthly for 3 months. I was not able to ttc for 6 months total after my first negative blood draw. I ended up getting pg (in september)3 months after my last chemo treatment. About 2 1/2 months after my first negative draw. My dr. was concerned about another molar pregnancy b/c my hcg level was increasing too fast. I had several u/s and ended up going to a high risk dr. as well. Finally in late January/early February I started to feel more confident about my pregnancy.

My due date was June 7th. I was measuring ahead by almost 2 weeks so my dr. was concerned about the size of my LO. I also had some protein in my urine and borderline bp. My dr. decided that I needed to be induced at 39 weeks. I was scheduled for an induction on June 1st.

Birth Story

May 30th: Dh was going to go over to my parents to help my stepdad with his roof and my mother was going to come over to help me around my house. We just moved in the middle of may so everything is still in boxes, etc. I kept thinking dh shouldn't go b/c if I go into labor that night he will be too tired. LOL I almost called and told my mom he couldn't work on the roof. Dh and I were cleaning and straightening up a little at the house and I kept thinking I was leaking a lot. Every time I checked my underwear there wasn't really anything there. At about 10:30 I felt like I wet my underwear again. I went to the bathroom and realized I lost my mucous plug. I wasn't really sure what to do at that point. My underwear and pants were a little wet. You could see about a half dollar size wet spot on the outside of my pants. I thought maybe it was just wet from my mucous plug. I wasn't sure if it was my water. I told dh it could have been my water too. I called my mom and told her that I lost it but it doesn't really mean anything b/c some ppl lose theirs a week before they go in labor. I called a few other ppl and told them that I lost it. About 10 min. later I felt a little more water come out. Not a lot. I decided to take a shower in case if I was in labor. I was then on the phone with my sister and I had a gush of water come out. I yelled for dh and said it was def. my water. He was like how do you know. I was like b/c I am standing in it. It was go time!

We had to hurry up and finish packing our bags. We called our parents. We got to the hospital about 12. Dh's mom and his grandparents even beat us there. LOL I was only 2cm and 60% effaced when we got to the hospital. I was started on pitocin. I ended up getting an epidural b/c the contractions were really hard on my back. I have back problems so I was really struggling. I almost passed out getting the epidural so I had to get in lying down. Epidural was in, but took a long time to start working. I have had several tests done on my back so I was told the epidural could be patchy and may not work. Well, let me just say it didn't work 100%. I started having really bad contractions. I couldn't feel anything on my left side but felt EVERYTHING on my right side in front and back. I could feel every single contraction, but my legs were both numb. Finally, I was checked about 4:40 and was fully dilated! I was told I would start pushing in about 15 minutes. It took a little longer for her to get in there. Nurses and dr. came in and got everything ready. It was time to start pushing. My legs were still numb but I could still feel the contractions and when to push. I pushed for about 15 minutes and had my baby boy. I ended up tearing all the way from front to back. I don't know how many stitches I had to get but it took a long time for dr. to stitch me up. My little sister (13 years old) was in the delivery room video taping from the behind (side) and ended up fainting after they placed Jacob on my stomach. It was pretty funny b/c we have a pic with everyone looking to the side.

Dr said after that my placenta was awful. When I delivered the placenta it took awhile because she barely pulled on the cord and it detached. My MIL said that she was in a delivery and that happened during a birth. The baby ended up being stillborn. Dr. said it could have been really bad and she wasn't sure how it stayed in tact during the birth. I am so thankful that Jacob's brother was watching over us to make sure that nothing bad happened.

Jacob Matthew was born at 5:27 pm. He weighed 8lbs 9oz and was 19 1/2 in. long. He has red hair and blue eyes.

Jacob is now 2 weeks old and weighs 8lbs. We are having trouble breastfeeding, but everything else is going great. He is still able to get my breastmilk through a bottle. We are still plugging away at bf and hopefuly he will start latching soon. I will be using cloth diapers. I am trying to use all of the disposables we received first. We just started introducing the cloth diapers yesterday. It will take me a while to get used to! We have had two leaks and one that was a success so far!

[LisaG825]

[.:Shortcake:.]

OMG Lisa he is absolutely adorable! I am so unbelievably happy for you. Thank you so much for coming and sharing your story with us!

[LisaG825]

Originally Posted by .:Shortcake:.

OMG Lisa he is absolutely adorable! I am so unbelievably happy for you. Thank you so much for coming and sharing your story with us!

Thank you. I am going to need a new siggy soon if you are up to it!

[pepper73]

First of all, on your beautiful baby boy!!! Second, your post was so captivating...I literally laughed and cried through the whole thing. I am so glad that after everything you went through, you came home with a healthy rainbow baby! Your story is definitely inspiring....thank you so much for sharing it!

[Kary♥RN]

Lisa!!!! What a cutie-pie!!!! I want to eat him up!

[LisaG825]

Thanks ladies! He truly is amazing. I can't believe he is finally here.

Pepper73- It was a hard road, but I am very thankful that I had this board. I don't think I would have made w/o these ladies! Good luck on your journey and I hope you get your rainbow baby soon.

Kary Your girls are getting so big! They are adorable! Love your family picture.

[LindseyE117]

I cannot get over that hair! I remember when you found out that you were pregnant! He is adorable!!

[momof6lopez]

Lisa, your journey was a long one, but what a beautiful little boy you finally have in your arms......Congrats on a gorgeous son and the beginning of your new future.....ENJOY!!!

[Banned-elly03]

Congrats on the beautiful boy! His big brother was watching over him closely, and got him to you safely! What an amazing blessing!

[TnPhotoMama81]

I love seeing happy endings like this. I am so happy for your family He is adorable!

[.:Shortcake:.]

Thank you. I am going to need a new siggy soon if you are up to it!

I sure am!! PM me the pictures and info you want used

[StaceygirlPa]

Lisa, Jacob is so cute. Thank you for sharing your story. It gives all of hope.

[melissalaw]

Congratulations Lisa. Thank you for sharing your story. It is so refreshing to hear a story with a happy ending. Gives me hope for my happy ending.

[JesSsica]

I'm so happy for you! He's beautiful! =)

[outnumberedX3]

He's a cutie!!! CONGRATS hon!!!

[luvmykids623]

Lisa I can't tell you how happy I am for you! Congrats on your little man. He is absolutely beautiful! I am so glad that he is here and safe despite all the scary things that could have happened! Gabriel is his angel!

[ashj_1218]

Congrats, congrats, congrats!! I am so happy Jacob is here and safe. And he is gorgeous His red hair is awesome. Thank you for all the hope you inspired and continue to inspire in this room. Your story always helped me along.

[LisaG825]

Thank you so much for all the wonderful comments. I wish you all the best of luck. You are all in my thoughts and prayers!

[RoadToDallas]

CONGRATS!!! he is gorgeous!!