Fortunately for us, I was able to experience pregnancy on my feet this time and avoid the bedrest that I had with the little man. However it was not without it's own level of anxiety. Due to the complications I had with the little man, this time I was immediately referred to a Perinatologist - a specialist dealing with high-risk pregnancy. It was there that she posed two options for me: do nothing and risk the very same complications I had with the little man, which would then be dealt with with bedrest and meds just as before, or surgery to insert a cerclage (a temporary stitch to keep me from dilating and going into preterm labor). Each option had it's own risks and rewards. But the kicker was that since the surgery could only be safely done in just a short window of time, I had to make my decision soon.
So, at 13 weeks, my little bean and I were wheeled in to an operating room. There was a chance the surgery would fail, but I chose to roll the dice in hopes the odds were on our side.
And they were.
Little sister was born on a sunny afternoon - 7 lbs., 9.5 ozs. and 20 inches long. She still made an appearance earlier than her "official" due date, but this time there was no NICU team, worries or questions. I was able to carry her to nearly 39 weeks.
And later that day when the little man walked into my room to meet his new little sister, I couldn't help but thank God for my two little miracles.