Pregnancy Update: Week 19 & The Kick Inside

So much has transpired in the past 9 weeks. I don't quite know where to begin...

When I announced my pregnancy on my blog two months back I was merely 10weeks along. When I learned of some of the things that were going on with my body, I knew I would be facing a lot of challenges as the weeks and months unfolded. I couldn't have foreseen just how challenged every aspect of my life would become. I've been in some measure of pain since week two. The first three months of my pregnancy were spent in bed for the most part. One morning I woke up experiencing the worst pain followed by contractions I had ever felt. The contractions eventually subsided, but the pain persisted for days afterward. I was wrong when I thought it couldn't get much worse than that.

Come the arrival of week 14 I noticed myself become less fearful and more confident that, despite the abnormal amount of pain, everything was going to be okay. This would be helpful as I approached week 16 when the baby begins a three week growth spurt. Ouch! Weeks 17 and 18 were by far the worst. I was rushed to the hospital twice, the second time by ambulance. After days of what can only be described as horrifically excruciating pain, an inability to sit and lay, or stand without collapsing or upright at all, I found myself in the emergency room. Thank God for Dr. Melanie Smith!

My body had become so septic I remained very sore, weak and exhausted for several days after returning home. After everything the baby and I had been through, I was eagerly looking forward to making my 18 week ultrasound appointment; What's considered your first "official" ultrasound, where I'd hopefully learn the sex of the baby. There were several attempts, but finally the ultrasound tech announced: It's a boy!
Two doctors came into the room and looked mystified as they reviewed the poor shape I'm in internally, and this active, jumping, kicking, punching baby boy that continues to thrive and defy the odds. Of that, I had no doubt. Doctors still have no explanation for the pain I'm in. Or why my body is reacting the way it is to pregnancy. Or how it's possible I've been able to feel the baby move and flutter distinctly since week 7 or 8. Daph says the baby and I have a rare and unique connection. What I can tell you for sure is that this remains my greatest blessing and the most rewarding experience I've ever encountered. And if I vow to never do one thing in my lifetime, it would be question the existence of miracles and their ability to happen to you.

February 24th "official" ultrasound picture.