Today as my family celebrated the birthday of my youngest daughter, I couldn't help but reflect on the miracle that my youngest three children are. I was diagnosed with lupus in 2005, months after my third son was born. I lost a significant amount of weight, struggled with extreme pain and fatigue, lived with swollen joints, lost a lot of hair, and felt miserable. When I met with the rheumatologist in Sweden for the first time, I was warned that I should not have more children. At the time, I was extremely grateful for the three children I had. I concentrated on improving my health and enjoying my three young boys.
The next two years, my health improved with good medical care, medication, good food, and rest. After consultation with my doctor, my husband and I planned for another baby. Parts of this pregnancy went quite smoothly. I felt healthy and was able to remain active. Unfortunately, there were challenges with the baby's growth. I was hospitalized for a few days in my last trimester because her growth was so slow. The hospitalization was weird because the doctors never examined me. I did not have further tests. I was just required to stay in my bed. I delivered my daughter without complications, although she was a pound smaller than the rest of her siblings. When the nurse delivered the placenta, we discovered that it was smaller than normal and that it looked quite old.
My fifth pregnancy was really a strange experience for most of it. We had returned to the United States, but I struggled with lupus flares and regulating my thyroid. I developed a lump in my neck the size of a golf ball and spent several weeks going to specialists to determine if I had cancer and what was happening with my body. I had the most extreme fatigue of my life. I went to a different doctor every day and would lay on the examination table half asleep while I waited for the doctor to come and visit me. Even though I was experiencing regular periods, I decided to take a pregnancy test. I was totally surprised when it was positive. After confirming with a doctor, I found an ob/gyn to do an ultrasound. The day of my ultrasound happened to be my birthday. I was crying because I thought for sure my baby was not alive, not with all the bleeding I had. My mom called to wish me a happy birthday and I broke down and told her the whole story. At the doctor's office later that day, my husband and I were totally shocked to hear a strong heartbeat. Even though I hemorrhaged, my pregnancy was still viable. Aside from the bleeding, I had a normal pregnancy and delivery.
My husband and I decided to try for one more baby, but I suffered an early second-trimester miscarriage. I had an ultrasound scheduled while my husband was in Saudi Arabia on a work trip. When the technician was not able to find a heartbeat, I was in shock. I went home very anxious. Because of the time difference, it was tricky getting ahold of my husband through skype. When I finally talked to him, I asked him to come home as soon as possible. While he worked on arranging flights, I tried to figure things out on my end. He came home a few hours before my contractions began. I'm so glad he got home in time because it was a very difficult process to deliver the fetus. I lost a lot of blood and was very weak. I ended up having a D&C and received two blood transfusions.
After my miscarriage, my husband and I waited. He spent the next year traveling back and forth to Saudi Arabia. We moved to Saudi Arabia a year later. Because of my lupus and his travels, we waited on having a baby. I was not able to see a rheumatologist or endocrinologist for my lupus and thyroid issues in Saudi Arabia. Because my pregnancies require special care we felt that it was not wise to have a baby in Saudi Arabia. I got pregnant the last month in Saudi Arabia and hemorrhaged again. An ultrasound showed a steady heartbeat. I rested as much as possible. Once we returned to the United States, I started seeing my doctor and specialists. Aside from the bleeding, I had a rather uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery.
I feel so lucky that I was able to have three more children! They bring such joy to my life.
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