Hansen Update

Hello Family!!!
You'd think I would utilize own blog now and then, but I know that most of the family reads this one. So I thought I would do a quick update.

It's been a really hard 6 months since we lost Daniel. I can't even believe its been that long. My six week postpartum appt in January was with a specialist who informally diagnosed me with cervical insufficiency which basically means my cervix wasn't doing what its meant to do during pregnancy which is staying closed and keeping the baby safe. It's proven to be ineffective the last two pregnancies I've had. He said that for me to have any chance at success would be to have a cerclage, which is basically sewing the cervix shut and not giving it an opportunity to fail. He said even though there were risks, the benefits were greater, we had about an 80% chance of success. It sounds high, but I was dwelling on the 20% chance of failure which seemed glaring. I was not going to bury another baby. That was devastating enough to only do once.
But knowing we weren't a complete family, Jesse and I decided to take the chance. I found out I was pregnant in February and I've decided to see the specialist during this pregnancy just because I know I need extra care.
I had my cerclage procedure on April 8th. It was an in and out process. The procedure actually only took 15 minutes to do. (I had a good view of the clock!) but I was in the hospital for a few hours following waiting for the spinal block to wear off. The dr said he felt very confident that this was going to be the solution we had been looking for. The cerclage stitch will be removed at 36 or 37 weeks.
At 15 weeks Nancy and Dad took me to fetal photos to find out of the sex. Surprise surprise, it's a BOY. So this is my 4th pregnancy and my 4th boy. Wow, we just don't know the recipe for girls I guess.
Then at 16 weeks, my Dr suggested I start weekly progestrone injections. Not that my levels were low, but that he felt it could only help in my case. Its a hormone that helps prevent preterm delivery. So having a shot in the bum is great way to end my weeks on Fridays.
My due date is 10/10/11. Funny because that means I will have had a baby in 2009, 2010 and 2011. And I'm thinking the toll its taken on my body is showing. I just hope this one is the one we've been trying to hard for. Little Jesse was so excited for Daniel to arrive. It's funny to watch him be so guarded with this new baby, even being 5 he seems to want to keep his excitement in check. That just breaks my heart! I've told him countless times that Mommy and Dr's are doing everything they can to keep this baby safe.
So that is the update. I had an ultrasound and a transvaginal ultrasound today. They baby looks perfect and my cervix looks long and closed. I'm only 17 weeks 4 days but it's still a huge relief to hear that kind of news.
I appreciate all the love and support my family has shown us during this difficult time. You have no idea what it means. I can only hope and pray that we'll be welcoming our son safely into this world where he belongs sometime this fall. Keep your finger crossed for us!
Love to All
Kalie.