Transfusion number four is done and now we only have one left before our Nora girl arrives! The procedure went very well and was the easiest one yet. Nora was in a great position for the procedure and tolerated the needles and extra blood well. She still isn’t making her own red blood cells (which is what we want) and 100% of her blood is donor blood (kell negative.) She is doing so well!

The past three IUTs have been difficult for me because one of the many medications they gave me was producing some bad side effects. Before starting each transfusion I am given several different medications- some to prevent nausea and vomiting, some to prevent acid reflux, another one to relax my uterus so I don’t contract during the procedure and a couple sedatives. I usually would feel fine when I went into the hospital but soon after the medications were given I would start to feel extremely uneasy, anxious, depressed and hopeless. It was strange but intense and the feeling wouldn’t leave until the next day. The main thing I always dreaded about the IUTs was this feeling of despair that came from one of the medications. Today we finally figured out that it was the Reglan they were giving me to prevent nausea. It has been known to have adverse psychological side effects (including depression and anxiety.) They didn’t give me any today and I felt GREAT. No anxiety or depression or hopeless feelings. I almost enjoyed it, seeing the tiny bassinet in the room and thinking about my baby girl coming so soon. Nora’s paralytic meds seemed to wear off quickly after the IUT was over and she kicked and rolled to let us know she was ok. I was able to be discharged from the hospital several hours earlier than usual.

Thank you for praying for us today. I felt so much peace during the procedure and throughout the day. My mom said the other day, “It seems like the shadow of death has dissapeared and we can finally look forward to having Nora.” It does feel like that ominous shadow has been removed and we can let ourselves revel in hope. We cannot wait to meet our daughter. My next and last IUT will be in three weeks and I will be induced three weeks after that. I will probably be able to go home for one last visit to Alabama before the last IUT. I hope you all have a good weekend. I’ll end the post with a cute profile picture of Nora pursing her lips. It was taken right before the transfusion started this morning. Oh, how I love this baby girl 💕