Friday, August 13, 2010

Sidelined

Well, here I am. On the couch. For the next six weeks...

Yes, bedrest time has come again, kicked off by an overnight stay at the hospital. I went in for my thirty week appointment on Tuesday and, after ultrasound and exam revealed an extremely short, thinned, one cm. dilated cervix and a baby who has already wiggled his head into a minus one station (yes, that means he's like in the birth canal already) I was sent to the labor and delivery floor for fluids and observation. I had almost no contractions at all once I was lying down, so that plus a negative fetal fibronectin test convinced them that home bedrest should be sufficient to keep him in there at least a little longer. I'm also on Procardia now, which gives me bad headaches but otherwise has no side effects. Much better than brethine, which they were going to start until I BEGGED my doctor to let me see how I did with just Procardia first.

BTW, sorry if there are any typos or spelling issues in this post- I'm using the computer that we have hooked up to our TV in the den, but it's kind of far away from the couch, so I can BARELY see what I'm typing.

I'm feeling pretty down about all of it, to be honest, though now that I'm not up and around anymore I'm definitely realizing just how uncomfortable and tight my belly really was most of the time these last few weeks. So physically I suppose I feel some relief, despite the headaches and the hip and back pain from lying around 24/7. I'm going to get bedsore pretty soon, I think!

I just feel guilty that maybe if I had just taken it a little MORE easy he wouldn't be trying to escape my uterus already! And then partly I just feel jealous of people who can maintain a normal routine and their normal activities right up until delivery. Women whose cervixes actually do their jobs. 'Cause I know bedrest might sound sort of nice and relaxing and like every eight months' pregnant woman's dream, but let me tell you, the novelty wears off very quickly. Especially with two kids running around and climbing all over you and crying because you can't take them to the playground.

But, overall I'm very grateful. This is one of those (many many) times when it is infinitely helpful to live so near both of our families. From the morning I got sent from my doctor's office to the hospital, I've never had to worry about who was going to take care of the kids. We've not had to scramble to find a babysitter or a daycare that could take them, or a home health aid to stop in and bring me my meals and medicines. So, you know, this situation could certainly be a lot worse, and I want to thank everybody- especially Laura- for all the food and books and flowers and visits and babysitting! I hope you guys all know how much we appreciate you.

As for Baby Boy, well, I have another appointment on Monday, so we're just going to go from there. If I'm any further dilated or his head has somehow dropped even LOWER (seriously, how has he not just fallen out at this point?!) then I'll start the steroid shots for his lungs and we'll begin to brace ourselves for a delivery at least a few weeks earlier than planned. Though, you know, nothing's for sure! Let's remember those weeks of contractions and dilation with Eli that didn't really do anything until thirty nine weeks along!

22 comments:

Hillary said...

Oh dear. I can't imagine how frustrated you must be, though, of course, it's all for the best. Sending good thoughts your way.

Swistle said...

Oh, I hope everything goes very very well!

Swistle said...

P.S. Do you want me to save my People magazines for you?

bananafana said...

I HATE BEDREST!!!! I'm so sorry you're stuck on the couch! I really hope everything goes so very very smoothly and that this baby decides to take his time. Thank God for near families - that was a life saver for us as well.

d e v a n said...

Oh man, sorry about the bed rest. That really stinks! I do hope he behaves himself and your cervix cooperates and you can stay pregnant until closer to time!

Tess said...

Oh, this sounds like a real downer. I'm so sorry! Hope you both (all) hang in there.

Anonymous said...

Oh no! You're going to have to dress him in hilarious clothes and show them to all his friends when he's a teen to get payback.

Kidding aside, my thoughts are with you and I hope all goes well.

ttsc said...

Oh, hang in there. Take it easy. That is so great that your family is there to help. We are thinking of you.

Jana said...

Ugh....bedrest. It stinks, but it's for the best. I hope you don't get too bored. Thank goodness for great books, chick flicks and grandparents who are willing to babysit, right?

Marie Green said...

I dreaded bedrest with the heat of a thousand suns. Or maybe more.

I had "modified bedrest" with the twins, which basically meant I had to quit working (I was working at A Bookstore and on my feet all day). Since I *could* be up and around in my home, it wasn't so bad...

I feel for you. Do you have a stack of books to catch up on? May I suggest The Girl with the Dragon.. series? Soooo good, and not "fast" reads, so they'll take you awhile!

Hang in there!

Erin said...

Oh honey. I am sorry to hear this. You seem to really have your head on straight about the whole situation. Hang in there!

Katy said...

First, let me say that I am very sorry that you have been placed on bedrest. Now, let me go on to listing a few happy thoughts because I'm annoying like that.

Thirty weeks! So wonderful. Odd of a healthy baby just sky-rocket at the thirty week mark, so that's good.

Also, my friend's mom has a bad uterus and she lost TWO BABIES as a result. I cannot imagine the heartbreak. Aren't we lucky that in this day and age we have so much technology and know-how?

I'm gonna pray that the little one stays and cooks a little longer.

Tracy said...

Bedrest is not fun. I had to do it with Olivia, and I was miserable. But, I didn't have two other little people hanging on me all of the time. :( Praying that baby boy hangs in there a little while and that this new med does the trick!

Switstle's comment got me wondering. Do you want me to send some magazines? I have some that I was going to recycle (Parents, Parenting, Southern Living, and a few random others) but I can send them in a care package if you want. :)

Jess said...

Oh, bedrest does NOT sound like fun. Bad cervix! I hope it does its job, though, and that kid stays firmly in place for another couple months.

Erica said...

*singing* MEM-RIES!

Dude. Are there women with normal cervixes? Are there pregnancies that DON'T require bedrest? I don't know nothin' 'bout those things.

Also, the procardia headaches went away after four or five days for me. Fingers are crossed for you and The Boy.

Michelle said...

Oh my. Sounds like you and the doctors are doing everything you can. Take it easy and I hope you get news Monday.

Mommy Daisy said...

Oh no. I hope that it's not too bad. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. I'm home (or at least in the area) a lot, so I could come by anytime. Or I could come and take the kids to the park some day or something. I'm sure Zachariah would love that as well.

But I will be praying that the baby stays put and cooperates for a while. I'll also pray for rest and peacefulness for you.

Mommy Daisy said...

Oooh, or I could bake cookies...I'm good at that. Let me know if you get a craving for something. ;)

CAQuincy said...

Stay, baby, stay!

Mary O said...

Aww geez. Sorry that you have to be on bedrest! Stay in there and cook a little longer, baby.

Unknown said...

take this time to rest and let that baby bake a little more.

artemisia said...

Oh, no. I am so sorry. I hope everything goes smoothly from here on out.

Thinking of you!