Success! And on to the next milestone...

So, Friday we had our 3rd transfusion.  This one was the most successful yet.  So successful, in fact, that we don't have to go back until May 18!  I think the docs have learned their lesson...they sedated Squirmy right off the bat.  Of course, I told them he had just woken up and was moving around a lot, so they wasted no time in giving him the paralytic.  The whole transfusion took less than an hour!  Woohoo!  The docs were able to push 40ccs of blood into him, bringing his blood count up to 13.7 from the 8.6 at the beginning of the transfusion.  He continues to tolerate the procedures quite well.  It takes him about 3 hours to wake up from sedation after the procedure.  He's usually a little lethargic for the next few hours and then decides to kick my butt the next day.  But, since I relish those kicks, I couldn't care less...he can keep me up as long as he wants to.  All I care about is that he keeps moving.

Speaking of moving, P finally got to feel him move yesterday.  The little stinker would always stop moving whenever P put his hand on my belly.  But not yesterday.  We were laying in bed yesterday morning and the kid was going crazy.  P finally got an idea of what this kid is like.  Yeah, he does get to hear him on the fetal monitors, but feeling him is so different.  Plus, last night, right before we went to sleep, Squirmy was "speed bagging" (think a boxer in training) my side and P started to laugh.  Now he knows why I'd love to have an ultrasound machine strapped to me 24/7.  I'd love to get a glimpse of what he does during the day.

So, we're less than a week from the third trimester.  Really, is that right?  Less than a week...which means, we're less than 10 weeks from delivery.  Wow....  That's a scary thought.  I really hope we make it that far, though I'm not holding my breath.  My next goal is to hit the 32 week mark.  Knowing what I know (that transfusions are rarely done after 34 weeks), I realize he could come much earlier than 37 weeks.  On the plus side, we will most likely be delivering in Winchester as opposed to University of Maryland.  The longer he cooks, the better his chances are of being delivered closer to home.  Plus, Winchester has the ability to do post birth transfusions if he needs it.

So, I'm crossing my fingers that all continues to go well.  I go see my normal MFM on Thursday and will hopefully get another glimpse at my sweet Squirmet's face.