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Preparing
for Baby Claire's Birth
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August
14 , 2002
9 weeks |
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Dr.
appt with Obstetrician (OB). |
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September
11
13 weeks |
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Dr.
appt with Obstetrician (OB). |
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October
9
17 weeks |
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Dr.
appt with Obstetrician (OB). |
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 October
11
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Appt
for Amniocentesis. Ultrasound (u/s) showed Choroid
plexus cysts (CPC's), flag for Trisomy
18 (T18). No other flags appeared at that time. Dr explained
about the cysts and what they could mean for baby. |
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| October
11-21 |
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Researched
CPC's and it lead us to do research on T18. |
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| October
21 |
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Results
from Amniocentesis. Full T18. Baby girl. |
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| October
31 |
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Appt
with grief counselor. |
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| November |
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Met
with priests to discuss options - get church's perspective
since this was such a rare situation.
Read Internet articles on grief and anticipatory grief and
children's grief.
Told kids, parents, family and only very close friends.
Researched on Internet and contacted women with T18 babies
which are thriving to learn their stories.
Spoke with daughter's daycare director.
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November
6
22 weeks
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Dr.
appt with Obstetrician (OB). Baby is about 10" and 3/4
lb. Gained 5 lbs total. |
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| November
14 |
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Followup
with Geneticist to see T18 markers on u/s. - Brain showed dilated
ventricle. Heart and all other organs looked good. One hand
wasn't clenched, other one could have been. Baby was 2-3 weeks
behind in growth. Amniotic fluid was slightly excessive. |
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December
4
26 weeks
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|
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Dr.
appt with Obstetrician (OB). External measurements are normal.
Baby is sideways position. |
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| December
9 |
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Spoke
with son's teacher.
Agreed to continue with pregnancy
and put baby's future into God's hands, since
diagnosis is 'incompatible with life' anyway. |
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| December
12 |
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First
Gestational Diabetes screening. |
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| December
13 |
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Slight
spotting so went to hospital (per OB's instructions) for monitoring,
pre-registered for hospital admission. |
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| December
19 |
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Meet
with another priest - asking about Christening, learned about
'Baptism by Desire (of parents)'. |
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| January,
2003 |
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Notified
Anesthesiologist to get 'pink card' for epidural at delivery.
Added baby to health plan as unborn child.
Met with hospital bereavement nurse.
Discussed funeral plans so we can come to an agreement before
we need to about burial and services.
Contacted Pediatric Neurologist in our area to see if they
accepted our health plan, etc.
Decided to name baby Claire Elizabeth.
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January
8
31 weeks |
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Dr.
appt with Obstetrician (OB). Gained 15 lbs. Ultrasound showed
CPC's are gone. Measuring 4 weeks behind in growth. |
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| January
17 |
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Second
glucose test (testing for Gestational Diabetes) came back normal. |
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| January
24 |
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Slipped
on ice and hurt my tailbone... stupid stupid stupid! |
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January
29
34 weeks |
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Dr.
appt with Obstetrician (OB). Externally measuring 28 weeks.
No additional weight gain. |
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| January
31 |
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Explained
to co-workers the condition of baby and diagnosis of her life
expectancy. |
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| February
10 |
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Baby
having frequent hiccups. Increase in movement and increase in
false (non-painful) contractions. |
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| February
18 |
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Finalized
birthing plan from reading some others found on the Internet.
Met with Neonatologist at hospital and met nurses, delivered
birth plan, and discussed options.
Met with Pediatrician. Discussed care for baby when she is born. |
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February
19
37 weeks |
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Dr.
appt with Obstetrician (OB). Ultrasound found amniotic fluid
level was normal. Stomach and bladder were full. Baby was about
3lbs 15 oz. and in breech position - given exercises to try
to turn her around. Baby measuring around 30 weeks. Ventricle
in brain is still dilated.
Gathering information on financial help. |
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February
26
38 weeks |
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Dr.
appt with Obstetrician (OB). Gained 19 lbs. so far. Baby still
positioned sideways (with butt down). Externally measuring 30
weeks.
Continuing exercises to turn breech baby. |
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March
4
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Reading
more about other babies with T18 and keeping close contact with
other moms.
Finalizing lists and stared gathering film and items for keepsakes
such as baby blankets, clothing (dresses and gowns), handprint
keepsakes kits. |
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March
5
39 weeks |
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Dr.
appt with Obstetrician (OB). Dialated one cm. Gained 2 more
lbs, total of 21 lbs. Baby is still breech and very low, so
it likely won't turn, no more exercises, we will just deliver
breech. Dr. doesn't want to induce, given position of baby,
so we will wait until I go into labor. Check up again on Friday
and then again on Monday if necessary. Baby not moving very
much.
Purchased and washed a preemie sized gown for Christening and
onsies for baby at hospital, as well as 2 disposable cameras,
baby blanket and handprint kit for keepsake. Still packing bags. |
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March
7
39 weeks |
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Dr.
appt with Obstetrician (OB). Dilated three cm. |
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March
8
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Went
to triage at the hospital... Still only dilated two to three
cm. Sent home. |
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March
10
40 weeks |
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Dr.
appt with Obstetrician (OB).
Contractions started to get painful at 9pm - but not consistent
or close. Made preparations to go to hospital. Fell asleep at
11pm. |
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March
11
40 weeks |
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Up
at 2am w/ contractions at 10 mins apart. Arrive at the hospital
at 2:30am, contractions were 5 mins apart. Started epidural
asap. Baby Claire
was born at 11:29am. |
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Go
To Journal |
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