33 weeks and an update

33 weeks, taken 4/19/11

Chase wanted to show everyone his tummy too! 

Wes and I around 32 weeks, heading to dinner with friends

Wes and I had our last OB checkup yesterday, at 33 weeks. Everything remains the same and heartbeat was good and strong. Have I mentioned how much our doctor means to us? Well, he is just great. He has done a great job with doing everything on OUR terms, being supportive and meeting our needs whenever possible. We talked with him some more about the c-section and meds I will be on. I want to be as "with it" as possible at the birth in order to spend that time with the baby and some of the drugs they can give you to help fight the possible side effects of the spinal block (nausea mainly) can make you groggy/foggy and possibly make you have some slight loss of memory. So basically if I throw up, I throw up! :) I'm not going to risk it by taking anything. I'm terrified, I'm not going to lie. I have just not allowed myself to think about the actual surgery until that day so that I don't completely overwhelm myself. We are obviously more concerned with the events AFTER the birth, so I'm trying to take it a day at a time...

We met afterwards at the hospital with the clinical supervisor and the neonatalogist. They called this week and wanted to meet with us before Tuesday and I thought it might be a good idea. It was hard. From entering the main entrance where we came to deliver Chase to riding the elevator up to labor and delivery and passing the nursery filled with a happy Dad taking photos on the way into our meeting room. It was HARD. Maybe it was good to alleviate some of that initial shock of being up there. I'm not sure. But we went over our birth plan and our wishes for the day. I also met the anesthesiologist that we'll have that day. They've "hand-picked" a nurse for us that day who I did not get a chance to meet as it was her day off...but I do feel as though they are doing everything in their power to meet our needs for the birth and afterwards. They truly have been outstanding thus far and I know God is placing special people in our lives for Tuesday's events.

******PRAYERS NEEDED*****

Some people have asked for how they can specifically pray for us. Sometimes I don't even know how to answer this question because the entire situation warrants prayer for so many different things. The main thing we ask for prayer for is for God's amazing presence in the OR that morning (Tuesday the 26th around 10 am). Our doctor has mentioned numerous times that he will not be down in spirit that day as we are going to celebrate everything we can. (I told you he was amazing!)

We also ask for peace and understanding as we deal with the loss in our lives. I also pray that Wes and I are able to hold the baby before he/she passes and I sometimes feel selfish for praying for that. I figure I can't set myself up for being disappointed if it happens because it very well could, but I am somewhat prepared for that being a reality.

Please pray for the doctors, nurses, and other staff who will be with us that day and for the days after. Pray God places caring people in our lives to help us through this difficult time.

Thank you so much for your continued support, we are so grateful for your prayers.

-Wes, Erin, Chase and baby Buente