Keeping up with the Raposa's

As a way of keeping in touch with family and friends who do not live locally, this blog will start with pregnancy updates and then detail the life and journey of our little one.  Currently, our little peanut is approximately 17 weeks and 6 days and the size of an onion.  Due date is February 13, 2015 (which just happens to be the six year anniversary of our first date!).

Here is the latest picture of our little one:

This photo was taken at about 14 weeks.  We will have another ultrasound on September 16th and get to see the babe again.  If you're thinking to yourself that this seems like a lot of ultrasound action, you would be correct!  Here's the story behind that:

When I first met with my OB/GYN, Dr. Ancheta, (who went to Michigan State University and refuses to wear Orange and Blue in the delivery room) I explained that I had a family history of a clotting disorder and that I had not been testing for the disorder.  Of course, he wanted to get the testing done right away to see if I did in fact have any clotting issues.  He said that if/when he found out the results that we would determine if I would be considered "high risk" (i.e. find a new doctor).  

I called around and by sheer luck/good fortune was able to meet with Dr. David Wenk.  Dr. Wenk was so understanding and personable (and not terribly ugly, either).  He told me about his own personal experience with his wife and trouble she was having getting/staying pregnant (and then immediately whipped out his iphone and showed me his adorable 9 month old daughter).  He ordered about 9 viles of blood to be drawn and just said that when he got the results he would call me and we would discuss any additional concerns.

Later the following week, Dr. Wenk's nurse called me and said that he wanted to meet with me in person to go over my results.  I knew at that moment that the news was not going to be great.  Ben has been really amazing about going to all my doctor's appointments with me, but I told him that I could go to the appointment by myself (since it was in New Port Richey on a Monday morning).  The test results showed that I have Factor 2 AND 5 Leiden (read more about Factor 2 here and factor 5 here).

Basically, both are genetic mutations of the blood that cause blood clots.  The clots are more prevalent during pregnancy and if you are on estrogen-based birth control (which I was).  I have known for about 5-6 years that my sister had factor 5 and have been putting off getting tested because I "thought" since I was active/fairly healthy that it wouldn't necessarily be an issue for me.

So, Dr. Wenk told me that this disorder is very common among the Caucasian population (about 8% of the total population is affected) and that the test result means nothing to the baby/pregnancy.  However, after childbirth, I will have to administer shots of an anticoagulant to prevent any blood clots from forming.  That same week, I had a severe calf cramp in my left leg that would not go away.  I asked Dr. Wenk about the cramping and he felt my leg and then ordered an ultrasound of my leg ASAP (or STAT, if you are in healthcare).

Let me just say, I should have never gone to this doctor's appointment by myself.  Walking out of the office and having to figure out where I was going to be an ultrasound right away was terrifying.  I called Ben from the parking lot and completely lost it.  He told me to head over to Wesley Chapel and we would try to get in to Florida Hospital at Wesley Chapel.

I had not been to the new Florida Hospital yet, but it was beautiful and they were able to get my in right away to get an ultrasound.  (We did have to wait a few minutes, but nothing extreme considering we just walked in).  Turns out that it was not a blood clot and we could rest easy, but let's just say that it was a rough morning.

The following week, we were scheduled to meet with Dr. Ancheta.  I was super nervous that he was going to give me the boot upon reading my test results.  However, he simply said that he knows what we are dealing with now and we will just make sure that after childbirth I receive the proper care.  I was SO relieved to hear those words.  I already had a game plan in my head about what to do if he said he wouldn't see me anymore.

So, the good news is that we get to see the baby more often than most expecting couples!  That is all for now. More of the trials and tribulations of pregnancy later...