28 weeks

 

We made it to 28 weeks.

This is another pregnancy milestone for us, with the lost of our son at 16 weeks a year ago on the 29th. Not only was it a year since we lost him on the day of our scan but we were also in our third trimester and at a gestational stage where our rainbow has a even higher chance of survival.

This is so important being high risk and having already lost a baby. Along with the fact that rainbow gave us a scare a few days ago where Ben was getting contractions and pressure we thought we was going to make a early appearance. You can read about this scare and our son on my previous 2 posts this week.

I have not written any post updates since 26 weeks then a post everyday for last 3 days, so hopefully you had a chance to read them and catch up on how we have been. Which  considering we are actually doing better then I thought. Today with it being the anniversary of our son, as well as us having a scan and our specialist to talk about Ben's Caesarean section we were expected to be anxious. We set out early to the hospital, concentrating on our appointments to allow us later in the day to grieve and celebrate our son.

So firstly the maternity bereavement midwife who we had seen throughout this year came to see us while we waited for our scan. She knew today was difficult and wanted to check on us. This was so lovely as we talked about Nico and what we had planned for today as well as our hopes for this special little one who was our gift from Nico. She stayed for a while just chatting, and I know this helped Ben a lot. He seen her more then me, mainly due to me working. She been there after we lost Nico and also make sure that she keeps updated with everything.

Then we had our scan, we had the same sonographer for most of our scans, well the main booked ones, not when we had extra emergency ones. But having the same person is so great because you build that bond and trust. She had also been the one who did Nico's 12 weeks scan, which means she already knew about the lost so we did not need to explain it. She knew that we were anxious and worried therefore she explained everything she was looking for, what they check, what part of the baby she is measuring, she lets us have a bit longer looking at rainbow, watching them wiggle and hearing the heartbeat. She also prints off extra photos for us too.

This time was no different, she checked our babies brain and heart, measured their head, leg, and abdominal. Saw the feet and hands waving. The baby also was opening their month and having a good stretch. The scan did show that rainbow is still measuring a bit big, a week or so ahead. Estimating the baby's weight is 3.1 lb already so going to be big and healthy.

After our scan we headed down to our appointment with Austin our specialist. Where we caught him up on how we had been over the last. Few weeks. We have not had an appointment with him since we were 21 weeks. Meanwhile we had bump into him a few times when we have been in for checks, when the baby decides to not move for days or cause contractions. So he knew bits and pieces of what had been going on. We also discussed Ben having a Ceasarean section and he was so good that he agree and booked us in already. This was because we wanted to have the baby as soon they are allowed to book elected C-sections which is 39 weeks. We will be 39 week exactly when our little rainbow enters the world.

Rainbow birth is official all booked in, with just over 10 weeks to go. Now it is time to start really getting ready. Although it seems like a long time away, it will fly by and we will have our precious baby in our arms.

Scan from today- 28 weeks

Other updates so far: We have now got most of the bed bedroom finished, just finish touches like wall stitches to be put up and bedding on. Only main thing to still order is the Moses basket and bedding.

I have washed all the baby clothes right up until 6 months and ironed most of the 0-3. The babies hospital bag is all packed and ours is pack for one night's worth of stuff and toiletries in case of emergency. Look out for the next post on what to pack in hospital bags, focusing on the difference when being trans. What to take or what we then do not needs.

I know it's early we still have 10 weeks however we are high risk and I like to be prepared if the baby decided to come early. I don't know if Ben will hold out up to 39. If Ben was to go into early labour before 39 weeks, they would perform the C section to deliver the baby because he has already elected for one, including the fact they would have to remove the stitch. Despite this if he went into labour too early they would try prevent it or hold it off for as long as possible to give the baby every fighting chance to develop that bit longer.

For this reason, plus my OCD (self diagnosed.) I just am over prepared. Thus with me going back to work next week and working long hours I will not have much time to do anything. Ben is still on Ben's rest up until at least 34 weeks then, is slowly able to do more but can not do too much in the way of the nursery. Therefore made sense to just get the main stuff done while I was off and had the time. Then over the next few weeks we can finish bits up like ironing, getting the last bits together, planning for the baby shower. Anyhow using the weekend to just spend time together, because when the baby come we will not get much alone time.

Look out for our next few post on some tips and plans for leading up to the birth as well as some more that are about our hopes and plans of what sort of parents wee want to be. I will also do a post for those of you new reader who have not read my first blog twotransdaddies. Where I have wrote about how me and Ben met, how we planned and actually had a baby using a sperm donor. But please do go and read my other blog.

(Written 28 weeks + 2 days)