100 Days of Pregnancy: Day 45

Today I had an OB appointment and it went pretty well. This was my first OB appointment where I didn't even get a bedside ultrasound...bummer! But I did get to hear his heartbeat and it is one of the best sounds ever...music to my ears!! As soon as they put the doppler on my belly, you could hear his heartbeat...they didn't even have to move it around. I've never had any luck picking up the heartbeat with my stethoscope, but I want to try again tonight...some women are able to and others aren't. Hopefully I'll be one of the lucky ones!

I've still been having the sever pain in my side. I'm pretty sure it's a parastomal hernia causing me all of this pain. It's a big risk for women who have ostomies and become pregnant to get one. There's not much they can do for them while you are pregnant and even afterwards, they don't like to operate unless it's bothersome. In my case, it is bothersome, but I'm hoping after the baby is here, that will change. I really don't want to have surgery again...how would I care for my babies and what if something were to ever happen? It just seems like too big of a risk. My pre-admit nurse had the ET nurse come and see me today (ET nurses specialize in stoma and wound care). And he suggested that a few months after delivery when I'm back to my normal size to get measured for a parastomal hernia belt. The belt should help to keep everything in place. Even if I were to have surgery, there's still a risk of my intestine breaking through the abdominal wall again since I have pretty much no abdominal muscles...one of the results of all of the surgeries I've had. 

So since I've still been having all of this pain, my OB wrote me a note today to start my sick leave. Tomorrow will be my last day of work. I'm hoping this helps with the pain. Sitting at a desk for 8 hours 5 days a week is just causing too much pain. I go home on weekends and the pain disappears because I am able to move freely and lie down whenever I need too. Even if J is with me I'm still able to lie down because he is awesome at entertaining himself. Or he'll come and cuddle with me and watch a movie (he LOVES Wreck it Ralph). 

So that's that. I go back to see my OB on May 26 and I also have a growth ultrasound scheduled...can't wait to see this little guy again!!!