So, our journey began in August 2018.  I had been feeling dizzy for a week. I decided to take a pregnancy test on a whim. I fully expected a negative. After all Olan had been diagnosed medically sterile and I was exclusively breastfeeding our youngest, Gideon. Much to my surprise a very faint second line appeared. I was in total shock.

     Due to our traumatic delivery less than a year before I immediately called to setup an appointment. I had no idea how far along I would be as I hadn't returned to normal cycles. I still wasn't sure it wasn't a fluke even after multiple positive tests.

     I went in and saw my doctor and had a dating ultrasound which showed a sac but not much more. They requested I return in 5 days. The next week there she was with a beautiful little heartbeat flickering away.

     From the beginning I was labeled high risk. With a placental abruption less than a year in the past we knew we would be closely monitored. We did weekly ultrasounds the first 4 weeks then biweekly. At 12 weeks we went to monthly. Originally baby seemed to be funneling towards previous c-section scar, but then moved away and that area narrowed then closed. We thought we were in the clear.

     We had genetic testing and all came back clear. Olan found out gender as he had with previous 2 and planned to prepare nd surprise me at delivery. We were getting excited. It was scary, but exciting. Doctors repeatedly said baby was a miracle from a higher power. We were given the odds of 1 in 300,000. Yes, this was our miracle gift.

     Finally, it was time for our anatomy ultrasound. This was done at 20 weeks 2 days. As usual baby was curled up like a hedgehog. She tended to always have knees on forehead and loved to stay in a tight curled up ball. We call her Hedgie due to this. Ultrasound took a while due to her positioning.

     Doctor came in to go over results. She told us baby looked great. But, my placenta appeared to be dangerously close to my bladder. She referred us to a maternal fetal medicine ( MFM) specialist for a better ultrasound and to confirm findings. This was the start of the fear.