Monday, August 06, 2007

Ancient History

I was pregnant once. For 7 weeks and 4 days. But I didn't know the pregnancy had ended until 11 weeks. It was 2001.

I happened upon another blogger's pregnancy story this afternoon, and as she recounted showing her ultrasound to the grandparents, I felt a punch in my stomach. My miscarriage is a part of our history, but it doesn't usually hit me like this. Today, I vividly remembered every detail, and it hurt.

I may ramble a bit here, but I really want to share this today. Big Daddy and I were married in 1996, and I didn't want children. He respected my wishes. My wishes changed around 1999, but we had trouble getting pregnant. To borrow what I've heard others say before, I tried to NOT get pregnant for 10 years, and then when I wanted to get pregnant, I couldn't.

We discussed how far we were willing to go with infertility treatments, and decided that we would stop short of injectible medications or IVF. We drew that line mainly because of finances and my fear of needles. So, I became a regular at my OB/GYN's office in the early morning hours before work. Ultrasounds, blood work (so much for my fear of needles), etc. Our final attempt at that point was IUI, for which Big Daddy was present. I'm a big crybaby, and when BD saw how hard it was for me to go through a procedure that's easy for others, he said, "Enough, no matter the outcome." The outcome was negative.

I agreed with BD's decision, and thank God that I never felt the crushing loss or incompleteness that so many people feel at being unable to conceive. Big Daddy and I were disappointed, but happy with our life, and resigned to the fact that that's how it would stay.

Fast forward a few months, and I was scheduled to have weight loss surgery. My surgery date was Tuesday, March 27th, 2001. On the Sunday prior to my surgery, I realized that my period was about two weeks late, but attributed it to anxiety about the surgery. Nevertheless, I dug through the drawer and found a leftover pregnancy test, and HOLY CRAP, it came up positive.

I am being completely honest here when I tell you I was devastated. It had taken a while to come to terms with the fact that we wouldn't have children, but I got there. I was excited about getting healthy and moving on. P.S., I was at my all-time high weight, and I was miserable.

BD and I went to Tom Thumb and bought 3 more pregnancy tests, which all came back glaringly positive. I remember crying, telling him, "I can't live in this body for nine more months!"

I went first thing that Monday for a blood test, which obviously came back positive. I was still in shock, but no longer hysterical. I sure didn't understand God's timing, but I couldn't argue with it. In fact, we went straight from the OB's office to Babies R Us. Yeah, I shifted gears pretty quick. We called my parents, "Yeah, don't come see me in the hospital tomorrow, cause uhm...I'M PREGNANT!" It was really an exciting time.

Four weeks later, I had an ultrasound which showed that tiny little 6-week-old heartbeat just flashing and flashing and flashing. We were sure it was a girl! I don't remember much about the next few weeks, just that the weekend before my 11 week check-up, I felt a little strange, nothing more.

We went in for our 11-week check-up, and because I was high-risk (weight and age), I was scheduled for a glucose tolerance test and another ultrasound. I drank that gross crap for glucose tolerance and then went back for my ultrasound. I was looking at the screen as the tech was looking around in there (Argh) and I knew that I wasn't seeing what I should see. When the tech did the clicky measuring thing, 7w4d is what it said on the bottom of the screen. I knew that wasn't right. The tech then excused herself and went to get the doctor. I knew then. Big Daddy wouldn't accept it, but I knew.

My very sweet doctor came into the ultrasound room and looked at the screen, and said what we didn't want to hear, "I'm sorry..." He scheduled me for a D&C, and the rest is...well, it was awful. Because not only did I lose my baby, but anesthesia makes me sick, so BONUS! It sucked.

I never did have weight-loss surgery, because I was back in baby mode. We went through all of the minimally invasive measures again, with no results. And resigned ourselves again. It wasn't for a few more years that we seriously considered adoption.

About a year ago, I realized something ironic. My Tinkerbell was born the day after my D & C, in another part of the state, to a woman who wasn't willing to stop doing drugs in order to keep her children. And three+ years later, we found her and her sisters.

And I'll tell y'all more about that another time.

8 comments:

Amy said...

I am so sorry that you had to experience the loss of the baby you carried for such a short time.

One of my friends was talking tonight at our prayer group about how God redeems painful experiences in our lives. What an amazing and wonderful thing to realize that the day after one of the most heart-wrenching procedures to have to go through, your child was born. Before you even knew she was yours, God did.

Thank you for sharing this incredible story of God's grace. And congratulations on the children God has brought to you! I look forward to reading more about their stories.

Musings of a Housewife said...

Wow. That's some story. I thought about this, yesterday when I posted the two lines post, that it's kind of cruel to those women who can't conceive. It's still my story, so I posted it, but I'm wondering if it's insensitive. My very best friend is going through fertility right now, as is another close friend. Both read my blog regularly.

What do you think? Insensitive?

Kelley said...

Thanks, L. for your honesty in sharing your experience and emotions with us. I've also had several friends who have struggled with the infertility roller coaster ride. Everyone experiences that kind of loss differently, but it's always an honor when someone shares their story and their heart as you have.

shoeaddict said...

I, too, have had misscarriges. Two. Both pregnancies were unplanned and I didn't even know I was prgnant for one but, I sure didn't want to loose them. I didn't think i wanted to be pregnant but, I sure didn't want to loose them

Anonymous said...

My first story ends very sadly albeit completely differently than yours...and I am not sure I can actually post about it...but I want you to know I am thinking about you and your story touched me...thank you.

Melissa Stover said...

i read that after coming here for works for me and what a story. i just lost a baby, pretty much the same story as yours, not knowing until 11 week check up.

Jennifer said...

I know a lot of the emotions you spoke of. We lost 3 inbetween our 2. I was never far enough to see the heartbeat on the screen, though the hurt was awful. It was devastating to me. But I experienced some of your other emotions as well - the first miscarriage I had, we were not wanting any more children at the time and I had all kinds of mixed emotions! Maybe I'll eventually share my stories. Thanks for sharing yours. Praise God for the precious angels you have now!!!

Perri said...

I'm sorry for your loss and I praise God along with you that you were able to have a family through adoption.