Screw the Barometric Pressure

It has been a rainy couple of days here in Huntersville, which was kind of relaxing to watch from my hospital bed. However, apparently a change in barometric pressure can cause expectant mothers to go into labor. Oh no, not me, just the crowds of other women that have arrived in labor and delivery only to push me out of my relatively comfy room and back into triage. So, here I am in triage #3 (different room but identical to #1) indefinitely. At least it has a normal bathroom but again, no windows, one chair and the size of a closet. They say that they won't let me deliver in here and I would hope not considering that is still six days away! I know I'm venting a little bit but it is hard not to feel like I've put my time in and should get some sort of favoritism because of it! Maybe I should have bribed the nurses earlier this week. In the meantime, there's not much I can do but keep a close eye on the weather (on the TV, since, like I said, there's no window) . Luckily there isn't a full moon again until October 15th!

On another note, here's my 36 week belly shot. Please excuse the outfit but there's not much point in getting dressed up to lay in bed all day. I've also included a picture of Drew hanging out in the lone chair.

Jail Break!

Yesterday was a big day for me; I ventured outside of the four walls of my hospital room for the first time in days! Granted, it was in a wheelchair and only to the cafeteria two floors down, but I'll take what I can get at this point. Maybe today I'll check out the gift shop?

Everything else is pretty much status quo. I've been catching up on old episodes of Friday Night Lights, to which I'm now addicted. My goal is to be caught up by the time the new episodes start on Wednesday. I know, it's the small things!

Today is 36 weeks so only one week to go! I know we haven't posted pictures lately so I'll try to get one this weekend; it could be the last chance!

Third Time's a Charm?

I mentioned in my last post that I wasn't sure how many times I could be sent to the hospital only to be lucky enough to go home a few hours later. Well, apparently the answer is only two. Yesterday we went for yet another doctor appointment (I feel like Norm on Cheers when I arrive). This time, they did a biophysical profile in which they test the baby on four different points. She got a perfect eight out of eight score. What a good little student already! Unfortunately, when they checked my blood pressure, it was again high enough to warrant a trip to labor and delivery. I was excited to be checked into triage #4, which had a window and a recliner for Drew in which he could actually see the TV. My excitement was squashed when the nurse told me about the toilet situation. This toilet is similar to one you would find on an airplane or train, minus the actual room or door. That's right, this toilet could only be used by pulling it from its hiding spot underneath the sink, surrounded only by a curtain. Figuring there was no time like the present, I tried it out, laughing the entire time. What else do ya do?!

Same process as the other two times, monitor blood pressure, baby's heartbeat, contractions. After a few hours, the doctor came in only to deliver the bad news that I had officially reached preeclampsia and I was going to be staying for the long haul. Thankfully, they had a room ready for me and I could say goodbye to the "secret" toilet.

So, here I am, killing time until next Friday (or earlier if they feel the need) when we can get this show on the road. In the meantime, I don't anticipate too much happening that will justify a post but who knows, there could be some good drama on the soaps that I will feel compelled to write about.

Deja Vu

Today was a bit of a repeat to last week at this time. Drew and I went in for a follow-up appointment in which they were supposed to check my liver function and platelets again and do another non-stress test. Unfortunately, my blood pressure was one of the highest it's been so after a successful non-stress test, the doctor said she was going to run the tests over in the hospital, while I was monitored and observed. On our way, we made a quick stop to do an ultrasound, just to check growth. Our little girl looks great and weighs approximately 4.8lbs.

In labor and delivery, they checked me into triage room #1 (again). By this point, Drew and I felt like we were old pros at the process. They monitored my blood pressure, contractions, and the baby's heartrate while they took blood for more tests. Fortunately, during this time, my blood pressure started to drop and the baby continued to do fine. The test results came back quickly and within two hours of our arrival, we were sent home.

I'm so grateful that I could come home to the comfort of my own couch yet again but wonder how many times I can press my luck. We're scheduled for another appointment on Friday so I'm sure we'll have more to report then. In the meantime, I've been catching up on daytime TV, surfing the Internet, and producing crafts like there's no tomorrow. Drew's been great, handling all of the household chores along with his very busy schedule at work. We're also very thankful to have such wonderful friends close by. They've dropped off meals, care packages, and let me camp out on their couches just for a change of scenery. We are truly blessed!

More to come soon (but hopefully not too soon)!

The View from my Bed

Well, it's been an eventful couple of days. As I mentioned in my previous post, the doctor wanted to do a couple more labs and a non-stress test on Monday so we went to the appointment as usual. However, while there, they found protein in my urine, which can be a sign of pre-eclampsia. This, along with my elevated blood pressure and high end liver function results, prompted them to send me to the hospital for monitoring and observation. I was quickly whisked away in a wheelchair through the back exit of the doctors' office.

Once checked into triage, they checked my blood pressure every 15 minutes as well as connected a fetal heart rate monitor and another monitor to track contractions. Tiny Piglet's heart rate was fine and showed "good variability". I had a few contractions (didn't even know that's what they were) but the nurse said this was normal at my stage of pregnancy. They also gave me a steroid shot to speed up the development of the baby's lungs, in case she needs to come early. Unfortunately, this shot has to be repeated 24 hours later so I was in it for at least the night, and potentially longer depending on another set of liver tests. Thanks to Ambien, I was able to get a decent night's sleep!

Drew and I hung out today until they gave us the word this evening that I could go home, but only to the comfort of my own bed. I'm on bed rest indefinitely and have a follow up appointment on Friday and more labs on Tuesday. They would like to keep the baby cookin' until at least 36 or 37 weeks and whatever that takes, I'm happy to oblige. I must admit, I'm grateful to be home, if nothing else but for the change of scenery. Moving from the bed to the couch will feel like a big adventure compared to staring at the four windowless walls of the hospital room.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers. We just ask that you continue to pray for us in this last stretch.

St. Louis Baby Shower

Drew and I packed up the dogs this past weekend and traveled to St. Louis for a couples baby shower hosted by Drew's sisters and mom. The shower was great and we had a huge turnout! Thanks again Lisa, Amy, and Nancy! Pictures (also thanks to Lisa since I had a pregnancy lapse of memory and forgot our camera) are available on our Shutterfly link, http://hamfamilyphoto.shutterfly.com/.

I'm now grounded for the remainder of the preganancy, with only 7 weeks left to go! It has flown by, especially these past few weeks. It's crazy to me that she could be here in such a short period of time, or even shorter for that matter!

I had another doctor appointment yesterday and surprise, surprise, my blood pressure was elevated. It's no wonder, considering they leave us to wait in a room for a hour before even seeing the doctor! They ordered more labs, some of which I've already done (I won't go into all of the details, but let's just say it involves lots of peeing) and a non-stress test for Monday. I asked the doctor about just going on medication so we could stop messing around with all of this, and she agreed but still wanted to do these tests first. Obviously, the reward is well worth all of the hassle and if this is the worst that I have to deal with during this pregnancy, I'll take it!