Ultrasound update

So we had another ultrasound today, but instead of getting some answers, we now have new questions. The spot they were referring to as a “bleed” is now being referred to as an “area” since they aren’t sure what it is. I haven’t had any more bleeding, which is a very good sign, however, the area has not changed in size since two weeks ago. This fact, combined with a few other things they saw on the scan, presents us with the possibility that it could be one of two things: a bleed that isn’t getting smaller because it is full of old blood that can’t be reabsorbed -or- a leftover gestational sac from a miscarried twin. Since they can’t say for sure what it is, Cathy (the nurse practitioner) wasn’t comfortable telling me I could come off of bedrest. She is going to have the OB review the ultrasound pictures tomorrow, and if the OB says I can come off bedrest, she’s going to call me. I fully expect them to be “better safe than sorry” and not want me off bedrest yet. The ultrasound tech told us that it isn’t under the placenta for the baby that is there, who is doing just perfect, by the way. She also said it was the biggest “thing” she’s ever seen in ten years, and if it was a bleed that big, she would expect me to have definitely had more bleeding by now. The information I’ve been able to get also indicates that most women who have these bleeds and lose their babies, lose them before now. They don’t make it this far in their pregnancies…especially not with bleeds the size that this area is.

From all of the information we got today from the OB’s office, combined with the conversations I had with my midwives, we are strongly leaning towards this being a freaky, weird "water balloon" from a lost twin, that will most likely not cause any further problems, or interfere with our homebirth plans. We have another ultrasound scheduled on the 13th of April.

Joe and I have talked it over with both of our midwives, and we all agree on the following course of action: Since I have guaranteed full-time help for the next two weeks, I’m going to stay on complete bedrest for another week. If I still haven’t had any more bleeding, or other signs of any problems, I am going to increase my activity bit by bit the following week. If I still don’t have problems, hopefully I can be mostly self-sufficient by April. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.