Please Help Me Get Through My "Anniversary"

[Zoethink]

I just need encouragement!!

I am currently pregnant with baby number two, I am 23 weeks along. It was at this point in my DS's pregnancy when I learned that he wasn't growing as fast as they would like. That discovery started a whole series of ultrasounds, and discouraging MW visits, an ultimate diagnosis of IUGR, a traumatic cesarean, NICU stay, unsuccessful breastfeeding and six months of undiagnosed postpartum depression.

My DS is a perfectly happy 21 month old and I am so in love with him now. I am in a much better place now, but this last week or so I have been having anxiety attacks that this baby isn't growing and it will all happen again.

This baby was measuring fine at our 21 week ultra sound. S/He is very active and feels strong. I am seeing a MW I feel totally comfortable with and am being overseen by an OB who is totally reassuring. I have an appointment next week to verify that everything is GOING FINE. And I keep telling myself to relax and let my body do it's work of building a baby!

I just need company and reassurance to get through this week. Thanks!

[myclanof6]

First of all ((hugs))! I can't imagine what you went through with your previous one.
I think just taking it one day at a time might be the best approach until you get further along. Keeping in mind that you have a happy healthy LO to look at every day and that every pregnancy is different. Talking about you fears helps release the tension and keep your stress levels down.
If you're a Christian then prayer helps tremendously by giving all your problems to God, He even tells us that that's what He wants us to do. If you aren't, maybe try meditation? Just trying to clear your mind for a few minutes (maybe during naptime when it's quiet) and let go of everything.
Or keep talking about it to these wonderful women online who are always up for encouraging each other!

[songbird516]

I'm curious as to whether he actually had IUGR? I've heard a few mamas recently say that they were diagnosed but when baby was born it was a normal size, so that's why I'm curious.
Keep reminding yourself that this is a different baby and pregnancy, and that now that you know some things, you can decide for yourself what treatment you want. Your care provider can make a huge difference in how you feel about what's going on in your body and with your baby, and it sounds like you have a good one, so try to leave what happened in the past, the past, and enjoy this pregnancy for what it is- a different one!

[happymama1]

Hi mama! I'm 22 1/2 weeks along and at a similar point where things got scary for me with my second baby. I've since had another baby and now this one...although not without a few scares along the way. It's hard when you have strong associations of scary and traumatic things that happened during a previous pregnancy. I will be thinking of you! I go to the maternal fetal specialist today to make sure this little one is doing well...but I have lots of anxiety about just being back there again! You'll get through it!!

[canadianbakers]

mama. Passing these dates isn't easy.

for some peace for you, to get through this week until your appt. If you feel it would help your anxiety/worries, talk to your care provider about having more frequent appts or u/s. A good care provider should accommodate you and do everything he can to help you feel comfortable.

[Zoethink]

Thanks, ladies, for keeping me in your thoughts! I had my appointment last week and I was measuring a perfect 24cm, right on track! I should be good to go until my January appointments. Now to keep my thinking positive, and enjoy the holidays!

As to the IUGR, that was actually a postpartum diagnosis. We knew DS was measuring small for his dates, but he kept growing so we were reassured by that. When he was born at 37 and a half weeks he was only 3lbs, 9oz. I never actually heard anyone use the term IUGR, but it was on his discharge papers from the NICU. It's so crazy how off some of these ultrasounds can be!

Thanks again for your encouragement!