In and Out (Of The Hospital)

This past week, I drug Jarom and Bryson to the hospital a few times so doctors could get my preterm labor under control.   On my first week of bed rest I have to admit that I wasn't as strict about staying down as I should have been.   But this week and last, I've been extremely diligent about staying in bed after further cervical change, more contractions, the baby dropping, and my doctor telling me she'd admit me to the hospital if  I wasn't more compliant with bed rest.  I know I still push it occasionally so Jarom and Bryson have to be  Bed Rest Police, but I am trying to just lay and be still 24/7 so this baby doesn't come any earlier than necessary.  Jarom and Bryson have been great through this stressful time and help me get me through each day.

 

Even with diligent bed rest and anti-contraction medication, I still wound up in the hospital last Sunday with contractions that were coming about six minutes apart.  I had to get three unpleasant Tributaline injections to stop preterm labor.  The contractions came back around 2 a.m. but after another injection Monday morning they were successfully stopped, though I had them keep me for observation on Monday night just in case they amen back again.  I went back to the hospital for a few hours on Wednesday because I was experiencing a lot of pain, but it turned out they were contractions caused by uterine irritability which are not labor-inducing ones.  The irritability is extremely uncomfortable, but it's something I can live with since I know it won't cause premature birth like real contractions do.  I was able to come home to bed rest, and it's good to be home. 

As of Friday, things are stable, and Baby Boy looks good.  He's still got A LOT of growing and developing to do, and even though he's dropped really low and is on the smaller side, the doctors are happy with his progress.  My cervix hasn't shortened at all this week, even with the contractions I've had, and that's good news because it's more likely to keep hanging in there and keep the baby from coming sooner than he has to.  I've only experienced a few contractions, mostly at night, which is normal for someone in preterm labor.  The doctor or also adjusted the dose on my medication, and that seems to be helping.  Having things be stable helps me relax and keep doing what I need to do to get Baby Boy here safely: bed rest.  Tomorrow I'm 30 weeks, and this baby and I are still going strong thanks to your prayers and ours.

If you'd like to read more about my experience on bed rest, I've started a blog:  http://www.bedrestblubber.blogspot.com.  Let me know if you'd like an invite.