31 Week Update

Molly Mae (31 Weeks)

We had a growth ultrasound on Tuesday morning and the appointment went well. Molly is almost 3 pounds which is up almost a whole pound from a month ago. She’s still super tiny for being 31 weeks though. But she’s still growing and doing great. Every single ultrasound, the tech comments on how active and feisty she is. I absolutely love it and hope she continues to have that fighting attitude!

At my last appointment I met with a doctor who was very cold and not very aware of Molly’s diagnosis. I left feeling not only incredibly discouraged but also dreading what our appointments in the future would look like. On Tuesday, we met Dr. Jones. She was a breath of fresh air who is a gift to all parents with difficult situations, like ours. She answered so many questions and helped us plan our next steps for delivery. A big concern of mine was whether a doula or photographer would be allowed and not only did she say the nursing staff would make it work, she recommended both for our situation.

Despite all of the good news and fantastic doctor, we did receive a bit of not so great news. I have been feeling exceptionally uncomfortable lately and despite the fact that this is my 5th pregnancy, I just couldn’t wrap my mind around how uncomfortable I’ve been feeling. My joints hurt, I have frequent contractions and am often a bit short of breath. This last weekend, I actually felt like I was going a bit crazy because no matter what I did, nothing helped. We found out at this last appointment that there is extra amniotic fluid. This is the equivalent to me carrying about a gallon of extra fluid. It’s very heavy and explains why I’ve been so incredibly uncomfortable. While I am appreciative for the answer, my appointments have been moved to weekly to monitor fluid levels as well as I have had a few more tests added to make sure that Molly is continuing to thrive in utero.

Overall, we are encouraged by Molly’s growth and being able to see her sweet little face again. Her cheeks have filled out a bit from when we saw her the beginning of May!

We are beginning to get close to delivery and I have to be honest, a lot of mixed emotions are wrapped up in that event. I am excited to meet our daughter and pray her siblings will get to meet her as well. We have begun the process of writing a delivery plan which includes painful items such as end of life care and so on. Much of that process brings so many painful moments of having to think of the unimaginable for our little girl.

Here’s a few ways you can continue to join us in prayer of the next little bit:

1. We can find a doula who is a believer and will also have a background in bereavement. We really feel as though this will be an excellent way for Jay and I to be able to focus on Molly while having someone else help us be an advocate for us.

2. My amniotic fluid levels decrease which will not only keep Molly in an ideal birthing position (Head down) but I will also be more comfortable as we finish this part of our journey together.

3. Our kids and their emotional, spiritual and physical well being. They are on this journey with us and while they may not know or understand everything, my hope this entire time is that they can see Jesus working through the hard days. That they can see Jesus’ love their beautiful littlest sister, regardless of the number of days we have with her. That they are open and honest about how this effects them and we can have some really good, although hard, conversations.

4. Wisdom as we work through our Birth Plan and make arrangements should Molly’s journey here on earth end at the hospital. While we are remaining absolute and hopeful that she will have some time with us, we are also aware that God has such a bigger plan for her!