Anticipation

I have been in the hospital since February 23 due to pre-eclampsic symptoms. At first, I was hopeful that my blood pressure would normalize and I would be sent home in a few days. I cried when the doctor said no. The decision was that, I should remain until I got to 37wks (we are certain their dates are off and I am more like 38 as opposed to 36 wks and 5 days) and then induce. After being upset and frustrated with the news that I would have to be away from my family and confined to a hospital bed for two weeks, I reconciled that it was for the best.

Flash forward to now. I have been having contractions that are building in intensity and more frequent over the last two days. Which is wonderful, because, even if I still have to be induced the contractions are helping to prepare my body which will make for an easier birth. This morning, I have been having regular contractions and after having breakfast, I stood up to brush my teeth, and felt something odd. I went to the restroom to find I had passed my mucus plug. This has never happened before. My first two were induced births so I never got far enough to experience true early labor symptoms. It scared me a little, because there is blood, but after the nurse checked me, she reassured me that I was fine, it was normal and that all it meant was that labor was beginning (early) and that the passing of the plug could been labor anywhere from 24 hours to a week.

I am relieved and praying now that things will just continue to progress and I can avoid an induction. I am also anxious, because it has been so hard being here watching women come and go with their babies. I want to have my baby! I want to hold it in my arms and smell that newborn smell. I'm happy for each of the families that have come and gone since I arrived. There are happy sounds of congratulations and balloons floating through the halls. I here the tender cries of the new babies, learning how to tell their mommies they are hungry and I long to hear my own call to me. So I pray that as long as it is safe, mine comes soon. I am so excited to meet this one and introduce it to our family.

Adventures In Baby Making

So, I find myself typing on a rented laptop from a hospital bed. I am bound to this small room due to pre-eclampsic induced high blood pressure. It's tough to deal with. On one hand, you want to do the right thing and stay off your feet, relegating tasks to helpful family members while staying in bed per doctor's orders. Then, there is the extreme urge to "nest". You want to clean, organize and micromanage all aspects of your life and your family's so that it's all ready and prepped for the newest member.

Then, a glitch surfaces. Simple at home bedrest is no longer good enough. Now, my body rebels and I am ordered to the hospital to maintain the bedrest, and be monitored day and night. It's scary and frustrating. How can I just lie here and do nothing? I am in charge of bill paying, laundry, dishes, care of my diabetic five year old, lunches, kid schedules... the list goes on. Oh, but I have another child who needs me to stop, and take care of me. It's so hard, but so very necessary.

I had hoped, if I just comply for a day or two, the doctor would find that things would normalize and I would be able to go back home. I would figure out a way to manage from bed and with the help of my inlaws, maintain my home and care for my kids without stressing my body. Sadly, that would not be the outcome. The doctor was concerned that my blood pressure was staying high (150s/90s) and now there was protein in my urine (kidney's being taxed). I was going to stay until I went into labor or an induction was performed within a week. I was devastated. I cried. I understood it was for my own good, and to make sure baby was safely delivered. Yet, missing my family bustling around me and the smell of my home and sleeping next to my husband was just too much.

I took an hour long shower. I laid in bed. Then I went to the nurse's station and requested to be moved to a nicer room. I also asked about internet access so I would no longer be cut off from important things I needed to do, as well as for stress relieving entertainment. I had the room arranged so that I could reach everything fairly easily from the bed and called my husband to retrieve more items for the longer stay. One, was a pillow from home so I had something familier smelling. My youngest was thrilled to be invited to a slumber party and as we speak, he slumbers in the recliner next to my bed. I was visited by numerous friends and by the end of the day, my husband had procurred a laptop from a rental place. I feel better about being stuck. I just hope that this little one gets a head start and preempts the docs so that an induction is unnecessary.

Thank you to all my friends who have sent me words of encouragement, stopped by, helped with errands and just prayed for safety and swift recovery. I will attempt to figure out this computer so I can post pictures while medically incarcerated

For More Info:
Pre-eclampsia

The Body On Auto-Pilot

So, I have started having pretty intense Braxton Hick's Contractions lately that flat wear me out, make me pant and need to sit down. Which is good, my body is exercising of it's own volition and the more it does this, the easier it will be. Just wish it didn't have to slow me down so much!

I've also "dropped", and for those who don't know, that's when baby decides to turn south and get into the deployment position. Which is fine and dandy until the little nipper decides to kick me in the ribs and simultaneously drum on my pelvic bone. Ouch! Unfortunately, my sciatic nerve runs shallow in my lower pelvis and with a good jab from the littler boxer, it will literally put me up on my tiptoes. One gets beat up enough in life, without being knocked around from the inside! Oh well. Not too much longer.

So, the nesting phase has begun and I am cleaning and organizing a lot. If I could manage my husband's bigger power tools, I probably would be building shelves and storage drawers where I see the need. Heck, I would build the boys a decent bunk bed to give them more play room too! Drat this round cumbersome form I am trapped in! All in a typical day for a pregnant girl, nearing D-day.

Baby Bell - ETA: Approximately 8 wks

We're in the homestretch baby!

I've been getting Braxton Hick's contractions lately. Rather obnoxious too. I was a little worried after my last ultrasound, because she said my cervix was thinning out. It should be 3cm but was at 2.8cm . Not a huge change, but she said it was early for any changes of that nature. So, I went to see my doctor and he did a check and asked a bunch of questions. He's really nice and so easy to talk to. He explained that since this is my third pregnancy, those BH contractions can be more intense, and that he figured a margin of error, of two weeks put me in the right time frame for things to start getting ready.

Whew!

See, if I were to go into labor before the 35 wk point, I would get flown out to Anchorage and I do NOT want to do that! Not that Anchorage is bad, I just want to stay close to home and be able to just drive three minutes to get home afterwards. No packing suitcases, or going through security. Too much stress to deal with that would steal some of the enjoyment.

The ultrasound included some 3D images that I thought I would share. I realize every mother finds her children beautiful, cute, or amazing, but I think this one is going to be another good looking Bell baby.




The consesus is that this one is another boy, but my mom is holding onto the hope that it's a girl. I guess we've got a 50/50 chance right? I sure am looking forward to meeting this little one.